In this installment, we will take a look at the Army's new M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS). SASS is an outgrowth of the Navy's Mk 11 Mod 0/1 sniping version of the Knight's Armament Co. (KAC) SR-25 Precision Rifle. The U.S. Army plans to replace its current M24 bolt action sniping rifle, based on the Remington Arms Model 700 short action, with the KAC-built M110.
Above: An Army sniper in Iraq in 2004 searching for targets with his M24 rifle monted on an improvised tripod. The M24 has a stock that is adjustable for length of pull (as shown) and has a Harris folding bipod. This rifle is equipped with the AN/PVS-13 day/night optical sight. (Photo: U.S. Army)
Below: A posed photo of a ghillie-suited sniper with the M110 SASS rifle. This rifle has a Leopold Mk 4 LB/T scope with illuminated retical, Harris bipod, KAC-built sound suppressor, and an AN/PEQ-2A infrared laser illuminator and designator sighting device. (Photo: KAC)
Above: The Army M110's most obvious recognition point from the Navy Mk 11 Mod 0/1 is its adjustable for length of pull stock. The rifle comes equipped with a quick attach/detach sound suppressor (sometimes called a "silencer") that mounts to the gas block. The gas block and flash suppressor acto to center the suppressor when it is mounted to the rifle barrel. The folding front sight folds backwards into the top rail and the folding rear sight is shown beneath the occular end of the optical sight. Easily removed and attached covers allow for mounting of various accessories on the top, sides, and bottom of the Mil-Std-1913 rails. The attachment of the folding Harris bipod is clearly seen in this shot. (Photo: LTC Dave Lutz)
Below: A detailed drawing of the M110 SASS. The bipod is removed and the quick attach/detach sling swivels and sling are attached to the sling studs. The adjustable butt stock is partially extended and without its rubber butt pad. (Drawing: KAC)
Above: The M110 SASS as it is received by the user in its reusable fiberglass shipping case (Item 1). The shooting mat and drag bag (Item 2) is folded-up and put in the top of the case. Item 3 is a muzzle cover, padded action and optical sight cover, and a carrying case for the night vision sight. Item 4 is the carrying case for the night vision sight. Item 5 is the top inletted closed cellular foam insert that protects and stores various items. Velcro fabric straps help secure items inside the case. (Photo: KAC)
Below: The shooting mat and drag bag laid out. This is used when the sniper is employed from a fixed or static position for an extended period of time. The padding helps relieve stress and give the sniper some measure of comfort as he conducts his observations and searches for targets. (Photo: KAC)
Above: The M110 SASS shown with muzzle cover for the KAC suppressor and the padded action cover that protects the mounted optics when the sniper moves from location to location (non-tactical). (Photo: KAC)
Below: The shipping container with the shooting mat and webbing covers removed. The M110 rifle and optical sight (Item 1), shipping/carrying case for night optics (Item 2), Harris bipod (Item 3), and spare 20-round magazine (Item 4). The sling is not shown and sould be stowed in the upper left corner cutout of the closed cellular foam insert. (Photo: KAC)
Above: Removing the upper foam layer with its contents from the shipping container. Item 1 is the Harris bipod, Items 2 and 6 are spare magazines, Item 3 is the M110 rifle, Item 4 is the cutout for the sling, Item 7 is the cutout for the suppressor, Item 8 is a spare magazine pouch, and Item 9 is a magazine pouch with two 10-round magazines. (Photo: KAC)
Below: Contents of the upper and lower closed cellular foam inserts are readily shown in this photo. Items 1 though 4 are the same as the upper photo. Item 5 is documents, manuals, and logs; Items 6 are spare magazines; Item 7 is the KAC suppressor; Items 8 are magazine pouches; and Items 9 are 10-round magazine pouch with magazines and a tool and accessory pouch. The night vision sight shipping and carrying case has been removed. (Photo: KAC)
Above: The bottom layer of the shipping container showing its contents: Item 4 is the rifle sling (from previous photos); Item 5 is the documents, manuals, and logs; Item 6 are the spare magazines; Item 7 is the KAC suppressor; Items 8 are the 20-round magzine pouches; Item 9 is the 10-round magzine pouch with two 10-round magazines (a simlar pounch is suppled for tools and small accessories); and Items 10 are various tools supplied with the rifle; Item 11 is the cutout for the night vision optics case. (Photo: KAC)
Various accessories are provided with the rifle for use by the sniper. In Part 3, we'll take a closer look at some of them that have been previously identified in the rifle shipping container.
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