⁍ Marine Corps Systems Command announced its intent to award a single-source contract to Knight’s Armament Company for 5.56 small-arms suppressors.

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⁍ The suppressors will be used on the Corps’ arsenal of M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, M4 carbines, and M4A1 Close Quarter Battle Weapons.

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⁍ The Corps plans on fielding those suppressors to close combat units starting in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021.

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– suppressors have been used on reconnaissance and reconnaissance units for years, but they’ve only been used on close combat units. That’s about to change. Task & Purpose reports the Marine Corps plans to award a single-source contract to Knight’s Armament Company for 5.56 small-arms suppressors for use on the Corps’ arsenal of M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, M4 carbines, and M4A1 Close Quarter Battle Weapons starting in the first quarter of 2021. “Our intent is to posture our Marines with capability now in order to improve the lethality of our Marine Corps Close Combat Forces,” MARCORCOM spokesman Many Pacheco says. MARCORCOM program manager for infantry weapons Lt. Col. Tim Hough says the intent is “to suppress every M4, M4A1 and M27 in the infantry community.” MARCORCOM didn’t specify how many suppressors it plans to acquire, but officials have said in the past that fielding will eventually reach every corner of the infantry community.