The Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) is a program by United States Special Operations Command to replace all current bolt-action sniper rifles in use by U.S. special operations snipers with a single bolt-action rifle chambered for a .338 caliber Magnum chambering like .338 Lapua Magnum or .338 Norma Magnum. The solicitation was placed on January 15, 2009.
Contents |
A 2008 United States military market survey for a Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) calls for 1 MOA (0.3 mrad) extreme vertical spread for all shots in a 5-round group fired at targets at 300, 600, 900, 1,200 and 1,500 meters.[1][2]
In 2009 a United States Special Operations Command market survey calls for 1 MOA (0.3 mrad) extreme vertical spread for all shots in a 10-round group fired at targets at 300, 600, 900, 1,200 and 1,500 meters.[3][4] The 2009 Precision Sniper Rifle requirements state that the PSR when fired without suppressor shall provide a confidence factor of 80% that the weapon and ammunition combination is capable of holding 1 MOA extreme vertical spread. This shall be calculated from 150 ten (10) round groups that were fired unsuppressed. No individual group shall exceed 1.5 MOA (0.5 mrad) extreme vertical spread. All accuracy will be taken at the 1,500 meter point.[5][6] Other requirements are that the rifle weigh less than 18 pounds loaded, have Picatinny rails, and have an easily-changeable barrel.
Project manager for Soldier weapons Colonel Douglas Tamilio said in April 2011 he expects the Army to select and start fielding a new Precision Sniper Rifle in the next three to four years.[7]
Contenders for the contract include the Accuracy International AX 338, ArmaLite AR-30, Barrett MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design), Blaser Tactical 2, FN Herstal Ballista PSR, PGM 338, Remington MSR, and Sako TRG M10.[8][9][10][7][11]