10 -- 40MM AUTOMATIC GRENADE LAUNCHER WITH COMMON COMPATIBLE MOUNT FOR M2HB.50 CALIBER MACHINEGUN

This is a Request for Information issued by The Marine Corps Systems Command on the behalf of The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, to seek industry information on the availability of (2) 40MM Automatic Grenade Launchers (AGL) with mounts, conforming to the below technical specifications. MCWL is investingating the use of these guns in support of the Heavy Machine Gun Technology Development Initative. Guns must be chambered for the 40mm x 53 high velocity linked cartridge and must be fully compatible with all types of ammunition currently in the Marine Corps inventory to include The Department of Defense Identification Code ( DODIC BA-12). Guns, to include their mounts, must be capable of performing all missions currently associated with 40mm machineguns as per chapters 1, 4, and 5 of Marine Corps Warfighting Publication 3-15.1 (MCWP 3-15.1) (Machineguns and Machinegunnery). Guns, to include their mounts, must be capable of executing all classes of fire with respect to the ground, target and gun as per chapter 5 of MCWP 3-15.1 (Machineguns and Machinegunnery). Guns, to include their mounts, must be capable of being ground mounted and vehicle mounted on all non-armored vehicles currently equipped to mount heavy machineguns within the Marine Corps Inventory. Guns, to include their mounts, must provide for 40mm and .50 caliber ammo can brackets and must also be capable of firing an unsupported belt of ammunition from vehicle as well as ground mount configuration. Mounts must conform to the following technical specifications. Mounts must be a common compatible mounting system to facilitate the use of a candidate 40mm AGL and the M2HB .50 caliber machinegun from the same mount. Mounting system must include a tripod or similar firing platform capable of being raised and lowered to utilize firing positions from prone to standing. The tripod must be able to place the gun in a sufficiently elevated position to enable the weapon system to be fired over 1.3 meter wall at a target within 50 meters on level terrain. Mounts must be designed with a - Quick Slewing capability providing for both major shifts in azimuth and elevation in a free gun mode and minor shifts in azimuth and elevation in one-mil increments without requiring the gunner to remove his hands from the spade grips. The mount must provide for sufficient mounting surfaces to incorporate the Automatic-weapons Fire Control System (AFCS). The mount must provide for recoil buffers for both weapons to isolate any sights or other gear affixed to the cradle. To provide for common control surfaces (spade grips, triggers, azimuth and elevation controls) the guns must be remote triggered and the gunner's control surfaces located on the mount itself. The trigger linkage will be mounted on the weapon and interface with the mount in such a way as to allow for removal and installation of both weapons in the mount by the gun crew in a field environment without tools. The mount must have a collapsible, tubular shoulder stock with graduated extension for shooters of differing physique and will fold/collapse to a stowed position that will not interfere with the operation of the weapon when not in use. The Government's decision to release a fromal Request for Proposal is contingent uopn quality and quantity of responses generated from this RFI. Closing Date: 26 January 2004. Please respond by email or in writing. All questions and information should be addressed to GySgt Martin Custer +1 (555) 000-0000, e-mail: contact@example.gov or Capt Steven Philipp +1 (555) 000-0000, e-mail contact@example.gov For response in writing direct responses to: Commanding General Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory Attn: Infantry Weapons Chief GCE Branch, Tech Division 3255 Meyers Ave Quantico Va 22134