WASHINGTON — The U.S. military recently announced that an order has been placed for Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Inc. from Murfreesboro, Tennessee is her third order so far, learned BulgarianMilitary.com has learned, citing DefenseTurk.
The last order requires 60 deliveries of Barrett MK22, and deliveries are expected after about 7 months, starting at the beginning of the 2023 calendar year. Two previous orders were made by the government in March and September 2021. The first deliveries of MK22 to troops took place in early February in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Barrett delivered the first rifle to USSOCOM in early 2021. The US Army announced in March 2020 that the Leupold Mark 5HD had been selected as the optics to be used with the Mk-22.
The MRAD sniper rifle, on which the MK22 design is based, has a modular structure with increased range. The company claims the modularity of the MRAD, “With its seamless precision and under-1 MOA performance, the MRAD adapts to different user needs, allowing conversion between 7.62 × 51, .300 Norma Magnum and .338 Norma Magnum calibers.” Military experts say the sniper rifle ordered by the U.S. military will allow soldiers to have significant sniper range while being significantly lighter.
A circular press release on April 21, 2021 from the Pentagon said that the MRAD MK22 would provide superiority to the American soldier over an enemy sniper, increasing its capabilities.
“We are honored to have been awarded the Army’s Precision Sniper Rifle Program in addition to SOCOM’s Advanced Sniper Rifle contract. The MK22 is a capable rifle system that meets the demanding requirements of our military branches,” said then Joel Miller, Barrett’s Director of Global Military Sales.
In March 2021, Barrett received a five-year contract worth $ 49.9 million to supply approximately 2,800 MK22 to the US Army. In addition to the US Army, MRAD is used by the New Zealand Army, the Israeli Army and the Yamam Tactical Police Unit, the Norwegian Army, and the Norwegian Special Operation Forces [FSK or Forsvarets Spesialkommando]..
