U.S. Special Operations Command to Deploy New Rifle System
In a strategic move to upgrade its arsenal, the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is set to introduce the MK24 Medium Range Gas Gun Assault (MRGG-A) before the fiscal year concludes. This decision marks a departure from traditional ammunition like the 7.62mm NATO round.
According to Navy Cmdr. Joe Vermette, a SOCOM spokesperson, this new rifle will completely replace the MK17 SCAR. He emphasized that SOCOM is employing a “rapid fielding method” to ensure quick deployment across various Special Operational Force components (Task & Purpose).
Last year, LMT Defense, based in Iowa, was awarded a $92 million contract over ten years to produce the MRGG-A. A notable feature of the rifle is its swappable barrel, allowing operators to switch between 7.62mm and 6.5mm Creedmoor rounds, as requested by SOCOM (source).
Multi-Caliber Capability
Joe Hajny, a spokesman for LMT Defense, highlighted the multi-caliber chambering’s significance during an interview at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show. “This thing isn’t just a gun, it’s a deployment package,” Hajny stated (Classic Firearms).
He further explained that SOCOM prioritized the ability for a “quick barrel change” to adapt to varying field environments, allowing operators to switch calibers if necessary. Hajny noted that the barrel change could be accomplished in about a minute, and the rifle’s 14.5-inch barrel gives it the feel of an M4 carbine but with the operation akin to an M110 semi-automatic sniper rifle.
Adopting the 6.5mm Creedmoor
The most significant shift is SOCOM’s adoption of the 6.5mm Creedmoor, which began testing in 2017 alongside nearly two dozen other cartridges. This round demonstrated the best performance at ranges of 1,000 meters (source, source).
Joe Hajny remarked, “(The MRGG-A) is a big one that I think is going to trickle down to more of your mainline units down the road.”
Broader Military Shifts
This transition aligns with other military branches moving away from older cartridges like the 7.62 and 5.56. For instance, the Army is transitioning to its Next Generation Squad Weapons chambered in 6.8x51mm (source).
In 2021, SOCOM held an assessment event with Special Operations Forces Works (SOFWERX) to identify small arms systems capable of greater accuracy beyond 1,200 meters (source).
SOCOM has also shown interest in a new sniper rifle and lightweight machine gun, culminating in contracts with Geissele Automatics for the MRGG Sniper rifle and Sig Sauer for the LMG-Medium in .338 Norma Magnum (source, source).
In a conversation with The War Zone, Lt. Col. Alan Wood, SOCOM’s program manager for lethality, highlighted the advantages of the .338, noting its effectiveness at greater ranges and significant weight reduction compared to the .50-caliber round. However, the LMG’s fielding is currently paused.
As for the MRGG-A, Wood praised it as “a phenomenal, accurate weapon system for our SOF operators,” adding that all components are enthusiastic about its deployment.
