Key facts
- US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is fielding the MK24 rifle.
- The MK24 can switch between 7.62mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor ammunition.
US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is fielding the MK24 Medium Range Gas Gun Assault rifle, which can switch between 7.62mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor ammunition in about a minute. This modular rifle, selected to replace the MK17 SCAR, aims to enhance long-range performance and operational flexibility for special operations forces.
The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is beginning to field the MK24 Medium Range Gas Gun Assault (MRGG-A) rifle, a modular weapon system capable of switching between 7.62mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor ammunition in approximately one minute. This capability allows operators to adapt to different mission requirements without carrying separate weapon systems. SOCOM selected the MK24 to replace the MK17 SCAR and awarded LMT Defense a 10-year, $92 million contract last year. The rifle features a quick-change barrel system and is designed around a 14.5-inch barrel, making it comparable in size to an M4 carbine. The adoption of 6.5mm Creedmoor is based on SOCOM's testing which indicated its strong performance at ranges approaching 1,000 meters. This modernization effort is part of a broader SOCOM initiative to enhance long-range engagement capabilities and reduce logistical burdens, complementing other programs for new sniper rifles and machine guns.
This development signifies a significant modernization of U.S. special operations forces' small arms, enhancing their ability to engage targets at longer ranges and adapt to diverse operational environments and ammunition availability, potentially improving mission effectiveness and reducing logistical complexity.