New Sights For Marines

[galt11]

I saw this article in an industry magazine I get.

Optoelectronics briefs

Marines look to Trijicon for optical rifle sights

U.S. Marine Corps leaders are asking Trijicon Inc. in Wixom, Mich., to build optical sights for the M-16 combat assault rifle. Trijicon will provide 104,000 of the company’s Rifle Combat Optics (RCO) fixed four-power scopes under terms of a $660 million contract awarded Aug. 12 from the Marine Corps Systems Command at Quantico Marine Corps Base, Va. The RCO enhances the Marine’s ability to identify and engage targets in combat situations at greater ranges and with increased accuracy over standard iron sights, Marine Corps experts say. The Trijicon TA31RCO is a slightly modified version of the company’s TA31F 4x Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG). The sight will be mounted to the Marine Corps M16A2 and M16A4 rifles, as well as the M4A1 carbine, to help Marines identify and fire on targets from as far away as half a mile. The sight has Trijicon’s dual-illuminated red chevron-shaped reticle and bullet drop compensator. In low light or at night, the chevron is illuminated by tritium, company officials say. In daylight, a fiber-optic system collects ambient light and helps ensure daytime brightness and controlled contrast. The system does not require a battery. Work on the new sights will be in Wixom, Mich., and Fredericksburg Va., and will be finished in August 2010. For more information contact Trijicon online at www.trijicon.com.

Now if my math is correct, the military, also known as you and me are paying approx. $6350 for each sight. Now I am all for giving the military everything they need to perform their jobs but at that price you have to wonder. Do these sights make the bullets impact in exactly the right spot everytime or something.

Adam

[EricW]

When you have all the information about the contract, you realize that the military did anything BUT overspend:

The initial purchase will be 104,000 scopes at $610 each for a total initial delivery order of $63.4 million. The government may purchase up to a maximum of 800,000 RCO scopes on this contract over the five-year period the contract is in effect.

The complete article as posted in the Defense Industry Daily

[Clay1]

Wish I could buy one for $610.

[standles]

You can just offer to buy 104000 of them with options for up to 800K

[galt11]

When you have all the information about the contract, you realize that the military did anything BUT overspend:

The initial purchase will be 104,000 scopes at $610 each for a total initial delivery order of $63.4 million. The government may purchase up to a maximum of 800,000 RCO scopes on this contract over the five-year period the contract is in effect.

The complete article as posted in the Defense Industry Daily

I agree this article explains things a little better and $610 sounds a little more like it. With an order that size I would think they would get some kind of discount. Like I said too, I wish we could spend as much money as possible to help our troops including some friends of mine. I just am starting to trust the govt a little less since I had a job working for part of a local govt.

Adam

[EricW]

Scope retails for approx. $1200.

TA31A at SWFA.com for $1014.95 + shipping

$1015 - $610 = $405 off the cheapest price most can buy them for, or a 40% discount for the spendthrift Marine Corps. Sounds like a competitive bidding process took place by any reasonable standard.

[LPatterson]

What is not being taken into consideration is the amount of ammo that is being saved by using better sighting methods. The Marines have higher standards of marksman training requirements than the boyscouts er Army. Now the Air Force uses a different approach; this is the barrel a bullet comes out here so point that in the direction of the target. The SEALS probably shoot more practice ammo in a year that all the other services combined.