SOPMOD

Last updated

The Special Operations Peculiar MODification (SOPMOD) kit is an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine, CQBR, FN SCAR Mk 16/17, HK416 and other weapons used by United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) special forces units, though it is not specific to SOCOM. The kit allows US Special Operations Forces (US SOF) personnel to configure their weapons to individual preferences and customize for different mission requirements.

Contents

The program dates back to September 1989, when the Special Operations Special Technology (SOST) Modular Close Combat Carbine Project was founded. This was the first program to standardize components from the 1970s/1980s era of "duct tape and hose clamps". The Material Need Statement (MNS) was signed in May 1992 and, by September 1993, the Operational Requirements Document (ORD) for the program was validated. Responsibility for the program was then assigned to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division. [1] [2]

The SOPMOD kit is composed mostly of non-developmental items and commercial off-the-shelf (NDI/COTS) accessories packaged together to support four M4A1 carbines. [1] [3] It allows for the attachment of any Picatinny compatible accessory that fits the length of the weapon.

Block I

SOPMOD Block I SOPMOD 2-2005.jpg
SOPMOD Block I

The original SOPMOD Block I kit included the following:

Only two of following were included per kit:

Only one of the following was included per kit:

Part of the SOPMOD Block I (but not always issued with kits):

If more of the accessories are needed, it is typical for units to "cannibalize" the kits of inactive teams. The documentation for the kit does not require a rewrite if improved replacements for any of the current items can be found. As a result, this content list has changed over time. Several potential additions include the KAC Masterkey Shotgun, the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System, and the M320 grenade launcher. [3] Also, various EOTech holographic sights, prominently EOTech 551s and 552s are used on many SOPMOD configured M4s.

Block I Phased Replacements

SOPMOD Block I Phased Replacements SOPMOD Block I Phased replacements.png
SOPMOD Block I Phased Replacements

Block II

The MDNS (Miniature Day-Night Sight) program included the Block I Phased Replacement components and the Block II components [12]

US Army 75th Rangers using multiple Block II accessories on their rifles at night. Note the Insight WMX 200 light mounted on the rifle of the operator on the right. Kandahar province operation 130210-A-KM292-026.jpg
US Army 75th Rangers using multiple Block II accessories on their rifles at night. Note the Insight WMX 200 light mounted on the rifle of the operator on the right.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steyr AUG</span> Austrian bullpup assault rifle

The Steyr AUG is an Austrian bullpup assault rifle chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO intermediate cartridge, designed in the 1960s by Steyr-Daimler-Puch, and now manufactured by Steyr Arms GmbH & Co KG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M4 carbine</span> American assault rifle

The M4 carbine is a 5.56×45mm NATO, gas-operated, magazine-fed carbine developed in the United States during the 1980s. It is a shortened version of the M16A2 assault rifle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knight's Armament Company</span> American firearms and firearms parts manufacturer

Knight's Armament Company (KAC) is an American firearms and firearms parts manufacturer, best known for producing the Rail Interface System (RIS) and the Rail Adapter System (RAS) grips for firearms use. They currently produce a variety of firearms, specifically AR-15 rifles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight</span> American series of telescopic sights manufactured by Trijicon

The Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) is a series of prismatic telescopic sights manufactured by Trijicon. The ACOG was originally designed to be used on the M16 rifle and M4 carbine, but Trijicon has also developed ACOG accessories for other firearms. Models provide fixed-power magnification levels from 1.25× to 6×. ACOG reticles are illuminated at night by an internal tritium phosphor. Some versions have an additional daytime reticle illumination via a passive external fiberoptic light pipe or are LED-illuminated using a dry battery. The first ACOG model, known as the TA01, was released in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle</span> Designated marksman rifle

The United States Navy Mk 12 MOD 0/1/H Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) is a designated marksman rifle that was in service with United States Special Operations Forces in the designated marksman role until 2017, also designed to be shorter than standard weapons. SPR initially stood for Special Purpose Receiver as it referred to an add-on upper receiver assembly, but that nomenclature changed to Special Purpose Rifle as the weapon became a stand-alone weapons system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle</span> Designated marksman rifle

The Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle (SAM-R) is a semi-automatic designated marksman rifle developed and used by the United States Marine Corps. It gave users the capability to provide fire in support of a rifle squad, providing precision fire in support of an assault, and aid in observation and adjusting of supporting arms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Close Quarters Battle Receiver</span> Carbine

The Close Quarter Battle Receiver (CQBR) is a replacement upper receiver for the M4A1 carbine developed by the US Navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trijicon</span> American firearm sighting device company

Trijicon, Inc. is an American manufacturing company based in Wixom, Michigan, that designs and distributes sighting devices for firearms including pistols, rifles and shotguns. Trijicon specializes in self-luminous optics and night sights, mainly using the low-energy tritium illumination, light-gathering fiber optics and battery-powered LED.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/PEQ-2</span> US military laser sight

The AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Light (ITPIAL) is a laser sight for use on rifles fitted with a Picatinny rail. It was manufactured by Insight Technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EOTech</span> American electro-optic company

EOTECH is an American company that designs, manufactures, and markets electro-optic and night vision products and systems. The company is headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System</span> Sniper rifle

The M110 Semi Automatic Sniper System is an American semi-automatic sniper rifle that is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO round. It is manufactured by Knight's Armament Company, developed from the Knight's Armament Company SR-25, and adopted by the U.S. military following the 2005 US Army Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rail integration system</span> Type of system for attaching accessories and devices to firearms

A rail integration system is a generic term for a standardized system for attaching accessories to firearms. Rail systems are straight mounting brackets on the gun's receiver, handguard, or fore-end stock to allow sliding or variable-position attachments. An advantage of the multiple rail slots is the moveable positions to adjust for optimal placement of each item for a user's preferences, along with the ability to switch different items at different placements due to varying eye reliefs on gun sights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insight Technology</span> Optical device manufacturer

Insight Technology, Inc. is an optical device manufacturer based in Londonderry, New Hampshire, USA.

The Classic Army M15 series rifles are full-scale AEG replicas of the various M16-type and M4-type rifles currently in use by the United States Armed Forces. They are made by Classic Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LWRC M6</span> Series of US military carbines based on the M4 carbine

The M6 is a series of carbines designed and manufactured by LWRC International. It is based on the M4 carbine, with which it shares 80% of its parts. The 'M' model name is not a US military designation. Like the HK416, it features a proprietary short-stroke self-regulating gas piston system and bolt carrier/carrier key design, which prevents trapped gases from contacting the bolt carrier or receiver of the weapon. The manufacturer claims that this reduces the heating and carbon fouling of the internals, simplifies field maintenance, and improves reliability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">17th Raiders Wing</span> Military unit

The 17th Raiders Wing is the Italian Air Force special forces unit. It is the youngest special force created in Italy. It is based in Furbara, near Rome and part of the Comando interforze per le Operazioni delle Forze Speciali. Until 8 April 2008 the unit was named Reparto Incursori Aeronautica Militare but with the expansion and evolution of the unit's assignments and its size, the name was changed to "17° Stormo Incursori".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Specter (sight)</span> Multi-role prism sights created and manufactured by Raytheon ELCAN Optical Technologies

The Elcan Specter is a line of multi-role prism sights created by Raytheon ELCAN Optical Technologies originally designed for M16/M4 family of rifles but now also exists for light machine gun and heavy machineguns. Most of the optics are capable of switching between magnifications and illumination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/PEQ-15</span> Multifunction weapon mounted IR laser aiming module

The Advanced Target Pointer / Illuminator / Aiming Light, ATPIALAN/PEQ-15 known colloquially as the "PEQ-15" [] produced by L3Harris ; is a multifunction IR Target Pointer & Illuminator, a.k.a. a Laser Aiming Module (LAM) for use as a rifle attachment, using a picatinny rail mounting system.

References

  1. 1 2 "Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) Kit". GlobalSecurity.org . Archived from the original on April 16, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Taylor, Gus (May 15, 2003). "SOPMOD Program Overview". NDIA . Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Rottman, Gordon L. (2011). The M16. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. pp. 45–46. ISBN   978-1849086905 . Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  4. "US Marine Corps Intends To Sole Source Knights Armament Co NT-4 Suppressor". Soldier Systems Daily . July 14, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  5. "5855-01-501-3081 (M952NXM07) Data". Part Target. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  6. Taylor IV, Lucius A. "Gus"; Glenn, Eric; Campion, Tucker (April 17, 2006). "SOPMOD PROGRAM OVERVIEW For the National Defense Industrial Association Small Arms Symposium" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center . Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "MK18 RAIL INTERFACE SYSTEM II, RIS II (FDE)". Daniel Defense . Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  8. 1 2 "M4A1 RAIL INTERFACE SYSTEM II, RIS II (BLACK)". Daniel Defense . Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  9. 1 2 "M4A1 FSP RAIL INTERFACE SYSTEM, RIS II (BLACK)". Daniel Defense . Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Rare Sighting Of A Daniel Defense GL/SSC RIS II". Soldier Systems Daily . October 20, 2016. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  11. 1 2 "1240-01-540-1186 (TA31ECOS) Data". Part Target. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Taylor IV, Lucius A. "Gus"; Gatewood, Barry (May 8, 2007). "USSOCOM SOPMOD - Miniature Day/Night Sight Development Program" (PDF). NDIA . Archived from the original (PDF) on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  13. Gurwitch, Scott (June 2017). "History of SOPMOD, Part II". SWAT . Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  14. Pittman v. L-3 Communications EOTech, Inc., 2:16-cv-11051-NGE-EAS (E.D. Mich.22 March 2016),archived from the original on 2020-09-25.