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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - M4 SOPMOD PROGRAM (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 8/18/2006 8:21:25 PM EDT
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I've been researching the SOPMOD program. My original intent was to post just a few images but this thing keeps growing. Out of respect to individuals hard work, I want everyone to recognize the originators of the following work. 95% of the images are from multiple Power Point presentations that were created by Mr. Gus Taylor (SOPMOD Program Manager) and Barry Gatewood (MDNS Project Manager) at the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center Division. You can view the entire PP presentations at the links below: SOPMOD Program Overview 2001 Assorted SOPMOD Data (Initial, Block I, Block IA, and Future Elements) SOPMOD Program Development 2005 Miniature Day/Night Sight Development (MDNS) SOPMOD Program Development 2006 My goal here is to compile as much SOPMOD program data in one place. I have flipped through several internet links and have pulled the "important" data that most of us would typically be interested in. Also, if you would like to add to this, send me the data and/or images and I will add it under the applicable portion of the program. Enjoy. SOPMOD Carbine Improvements *UPDATED*  M4A1 Prior Modifications  Read about the High Reliability Magazine here: High Reliability Magazine (HRM) M4A1 New Modifications  SOPMOD Fielding Timeline  Accessory Kit Overview *UPDATED*  Initial SOPMOD Program  MATECH Back-up Iron Sight   TRIJICON Reflex Sight  Visible Bright Light (VBL)  Knights Armament M4QD Sound Suppressor  AN/PEQ-2 Pointer Illuminator  SOPMOD Phased Replacements Leading into Block I  SOPMOD BLOCK I  The original 'SOPMOD Block I' kit included four each of the following: Knight's Armament Company (KAC) Rail Interface System (RIS) forearm KAC's vertical foregrip KAC's backup iron sight (BUIS) Trijicon's Model TA01NSN 4x32mm Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG) Improved combat sling which allows for secure cross body/patrol carry. Only two each of following were included per kit: Insight Technologies' AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser (ITPIAL) Insight Technologies' Visible Light Illuminator (VLI) Trijicon's ACOG Model RX01M4A1 reflex sight KAC's Quick Detach sound suppressor (QDSS) Enhanced sliding buttstock (Sloping Cheek Weld Stock) Only one of the following was included per kit: KAC's Quick Attach M203 Grenade Launcher Mount Quick attach sight for use with the M203 M203 with a 9-inch barrel Insight Technologies' AN/PEQ-5 visible laser Carrying/storage case for kit accessories SOPMOD Block I Prior Modifications  SOPMOD Block I New Modifications  SOPMOD Block I New Fielding Items  Block I Phased Replacements and Preliminary Block II items *UPDATED*  SOPMOD Block II Plan  SOPMOD Block II Passive Day Sub-Systems*UPDATED*  SU-231/PEQ Holographic Sight*NEW*  SU-237/PVS 4x Dayscope w/MRD *NEW*  SU-230/PVS 1-4x Dayscope *NEW*  SOPMOD Block II Active Aiming Sub-Systems*UPDATED*  LA-5/PEQ Integrated Small Arms Illuminator *NEW*  Infrared Targer Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser (ITPIAL II)  Insight Technology Inc., Londonderry, N.H., is being awarded a maximum $49,997,798 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a minimum of five developmental test prototypes, 10 operational test prototypes, 10 limited user test units and a maximum 25,018 production quantity of Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Lasers (ITPIAL II) and associated data. The ITPIAL II capability provides for an Advanced Target pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser that meets the Miniature Day/Night Sight requirements for ITPIAL II (AN/PEQ-2) and Carbine Visible Laser (CVL II) (AN/PEQ-5), in a single device that is half the weight, half the size, and takes up less than half the space of current AN/PEQ-2 and AN/PEQ-5 systems. Work will be performed in Londonderry, N.H., and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured and advertised via the Internet, with four offers received. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-05-D-8510). SU-233/PVS Visible Bright Light III (VBL III) *NEW*  Block II, VBL III: (Thanks for the data 1100RT-P) Insight Technology Inc., Londonderry, N.H., is being awarded a $32,467,941 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a minimum of 50 each Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) Visible Bright Light III (VBL III) and a maximum of 92,877 each production quantity of VBL III and associated data for the M4 Carbine in support of the United States Special Operations Command. Work will be performed in Londonderry, N.H., and is expected to be completed by August 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with 2 offers received via Navy Electronic Commerce on-line and the Federal Business Opportunities website. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-05-D-8568). SOPMOD Block II Passive Night Aiming Subsystems *NEW*  Miniature Night Vision Sight II (MNVS II)  Image-Intensified Clip-On Night Vision Device  AN/PVS-24 Night Vision Device *NEW*  Clip-On Night Vision Device Thermal  SU-233PAS Thermal Sight *NEW*  SOPMOD Block II A details  Atlantic Research Marketing Systems, West Bridgewater, Mass.; Daniel Defense, Savannah, Ga.; and Knight’s Armament Co., Titusville, Fla., are each being awarded a firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for a not-to-exceed task order ceiling of $16,666,666 (each) for the delivery of 92,877 (each) Rail Interface Systems II (RIS II) and associated data. Work will be performed in West Bridgewater, Mass.; Savannah, Ga.; and Titusville, Fla., and is expected to be completed by March 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This multiple award contract was competitively procured via Federal Business Opportunities website, with eleven offers received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (Atlantic Research Marketing Systems: N00164-05-D-4863; Daniel Defense: N00164-05-D-4864; Knight’s Armament Co.: N00164-05-D-4865). RIS II Overview *UPDATED*  Backup Iron Sight II (BIS II) Overview *NEW*  HK Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module under the Block II Plan (Thanks Redfisher for the data)   You can read about it here: HK Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module New items being assessed (tested):  SOPMOD BLOCK III MORE TO COME.... |
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Page 74 of the 2006 review features the CVDN (Optics) At around $30,000 each you can have an ACOG sized night vision/magnified optic So much for BRD getting more affordable- even at the .mil level It sure looks like all the new money pumped into the GWOT since 9/11 is working its way to the things that matter. (guns!  )
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Some additional info: INSIGHT TECHNOLOGY AWARDED CONTRACT FOR SPECIAL OPERATIONS Info - Prod Research (Middle East). Ramat-Gan: Aug 30, 2005. pg. 1 Insight Technology Inc., Londonderry, N.H., is being awarded a $32,467,941 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a minimum of 50 each Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) Visible Bright Light III (VBL III) and a maximum of 92,877 each production quantity of VBL III and associated data for the M4 Carbine in support of the United States Special Operations Command. Work will be performed in Londonderry, N.H., and is expected to be completed by August 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with 2 offers received via Navy Electronic Commerce on-line and the Federal Business Opportunities website. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-05-D-8568). Gets better with Block 2 info: Special ops weapons upgrade kit in sight JANE'S DEFENCE WEEKLY - MARCH 22, 2006 SCOTT GOURLEY JDW Correspondent, California A package of upgrades is emerging for the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) weapon enhancement programme. The SOPMOD programme allows special operations personnel from multiple services to tailor the sighting and engagement capabilities of their individual 5.56mm M4A1/Mk 18 Mod 0 series combat weapons to meet specific mission needs through the addition of subsystems on multiple weapon mounting rails. According to Michael Jones, SOPMOD Assistant Program Manager at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, the new upgrade components are being packaged as a 'Block 2' enhancement to the existing SOPMOD 'Block 1' kits. "The SOPMOD 'Block 1' kit provided a visible flashlight, scope, a PEQ-2 and PEQ-5 laser [aiming device], a reflex sight and PVS-17 night-vision scope," he explained. "What we're doing now is upgrading and replacing many of those components." The 'Block 2' kit, for example, will replace the existing 'Block 1' Trijicon ACOG sight with a new SU-230/PVS sight that will offer improved colour and light gathering ability and have an additional "quick look" sight on top to allow rapid "instinctive" target engagement at close range. As JDW went to press SOPMOD programme representatives were in the final stages of selection between two different 'Block 2' sight options, with the possibility of two contract awards with unit flexibility to request the specific sight they desire. Jones added that the SOPMOD 'Block 1' reflex sight would also be replaced with a new "holographic weapon sight" made by EOTech. "This is a really popular sight," he said. "A lot of guys over [in theatre] are buying these with their own money because they are such a good CQB [close quarter battle] sight. You keep both eyes open, bring it up, and as long as you can see the holograph it's going to hit where that holograph is. There's no parallax involved in the sighting." A new AN/PAS-24 image intensification device and SU-232/PAS thermal weapon sight will also be included in the 'Block 2' SOPMOD kit. "The thermal sight is also a nice tracking device and it has decent battery life of about six hours," Jones said. "Most thermal sights are heavy and use liquid nitrogen to cool them but this is one of the first uncooled thermal sights. It's a good piece of gear that can be bolted on in front of your scope, where it has good enough resolution that you can use it to engage targets out to 400 m." A single LA-5/PEQ Advanced Targeting and Pointing Illuminating Aiming Laser (ATPIAL), from Insight Technologies, will also replace both PEQ-2 and PEQ-5 aiming lasers in a new, miniaturised package. "It's replaced two bigger pieces of gear with one item that has a combined control that you can operate with touch pads," Jones said. "And we're eventually going to integrate those into our weapon grips." A new SU-233/PVS visible aiming light will also replace two larger lights used in the current 'Block 1' kit. Jones said that some SOPMOD 'Block 1' components would return in the 'Block 2' package, including a suppressor from Knight's Armament Company. "The guys like them," he said. "The suppressors are nice enough that we can refurbish them. We bring them back in, use ultrasonic cleaning to remove all the deposits, and send them back out." Acknowledging the continuing competition in sights, he added that programme plans call for fielding the SOPMOD 'Block 2' package later this year. "The final tweaks are being made to everything and we hope to have them in the field by the end of Fiscal Year 2006," he said. "Mostly they are just minor tweaks to make the systems more ruggedised. We haven't run into any 'show stoppers' on any of our items because when we originally specified them to industry we told them what we wanted the items to do, how small they had to be and how much they had to weigh. And they followed our guidance." http://members.cox.net/prodigal_son/p1132349.jpg Representatives at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, are making final adjustments to the Special Operations Peculiar Modification Block 2 kit (Source: S Gourley/Jane's) |
In other words, there's not a chance in hell I'd ever get my hands on one huh? Thanks for clearing that up for me thoough; it's most appreciated. Justin |
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My goal, call me dumbass, is to try to implement all of the carbine modifications on my RRA Entry Tactical. I was wondering who made the ambi-selector also. It is good to have that mystery solved. I'm currently looking for additional information on the "Extraction Parts Set". I am piecing together my own SOPMOD kit. I have a ways to go. I have: RRA Entry Tactical KAC RIS w/rail set and grip Surefire M951 ACOG TA01NSN AIMPOINT Comp M with QRP mount MATECH buis There are components that I won't be able to get due to restricted distribution(M203/Suppressor) or they will be cost prohibitive (AN/PVS-17). I've seen everything else here on the EE at one point or another. I'm going to complete my kit more in line with the BLOCK I kit shown in my original thread. I've got to replace my COMP M with a COMP M2 and I'm in the process of replacing the standard 6 position stock with an LMT/Crane SOPMOD stock.  I'm ordering new center foam to re-do the case set up. I don't like the bi-pod in there anymore. I may go with a bigger case as well. Can't decide if I want to still keep everything in one case or not. |
Are these commercial grade parts or something produced specifically for the military? Source for these "kits"? |
Not sure of the source on #2 kit, but you could get real close with Brownells #078-000-071/#969-000-032/#741-015-003. |
Great stuff, Sgt. Thanks for compiling it for us. Curious if anyone knows what case that is in Block I: New Fielding Adds? (below)
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after several year shooting acrbines and M4s I have never had any trouble whats wrong with the system as is? aint broke |
Same here, but I doubt the two of us put together come close over a lifetime to what a seal will put his M4 through in a year. |
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Besides the EGLM error mentioned earlier, you are repeating entries for the same items under different names. For instance, the Infrared Targer Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser (ITPIAL II) / Carbine Visible Laser (CVL II) became the the LA-5/PEQ Integrated Small Arms Illuminator (also known as the ATPIAL). The Image-Intensified Clip-On Night Vision Device (CNVD-I2) became the AN/PVS-24 Night Vision Device. The Clip-On Night Vision Device Thermal (CNVD-T) became the SU-233/PAS Thermal Sight. |
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Dewatters, Your point is taken. I'm not perfect. I'm was only providing a broad base of data for those ARFCOMers that aren't motivated to dig into the details themselves. Some slides do duplicate information but are included because of some other item on the slide is unique. I have not seen the data that you have pointed out in the public domain so that is why it isn't listed. Now, back to enjoying the AR15 hobby! 
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Your SOPMOD kit is out of date. |
Do you really think I don't know that? Do you really think that I care? I consider myself fortunate to own what I have. How about adding something constructive to this thread instead of stating the obvious. 
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Do I read that right? The SU-233/PVS Visible Bright Light III (based on the Insight M3X) has been selected to replace the Surefire M95/96? Or is it an option just like the Surefire is? Anyone use the M3X on their carbine? It is only 4.3oz, so that is an advantage and puts out up to 125 lumens, which is on par with the M95 series. |
I'm seriously considering it. The M3X "Long Gun" can be found for a good price, and includes the backplate with remote / tape switch (I much prefer the ITI tape switch over the Surefire version). I just need to find time to order one, I reckon. |
The M3X from Insight Technology is what I have been issued since I've been with my unit. Good light though there are two problems that I have with it. The first being that it requires complete removal from the rail to be able to change out batteries, this is both time consuming and sometimes difficult depending on what is mounted. The second is that the end cap release is sometimes a pain and slow to operate in the dark. The light is not user friendly when trying to remove it and open the end plate while wearing gloves in my experience. If they incorporated a throw lever and a different back plate design I feel that it would be a much better light overall. 
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Who is the winner? ARMS or Knights? Found this at ARMS website: The P stands for precision, .50 MOA, = minute of angle means at 100 meters, each click of the windage knob moves the point of impact 1/2" left or right. The sight also has new notches above the round apertures for faster CQB engagements inside of 50 meters and also for long range 500-600 meter. Designed for and selected by Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center; and currently under contract for use by Special Operations Forces. |
AWARD LINK According to this info, it appears they split it 61% - 39%. The notice says ARMS won, it goes on to announce the manufacturing to be in Titusville (KAC Home base) and West Bridgewater, home of ARMS Unless ARMS set up in Florida Maybe it has changed since this announcement (9/2005) |
Got one on my carbine, and I think it's great for the following reasons: 1. Extremely lightweight 2. Rugged and durable 2. Bright (250 lumens) 3. Compact 4. Less expensive than most single function tac lights It is a bit more involved than most to change batteries, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, IMO. |
[ARCHIVED THREAD] - M4 SOPMOD PROGRAM (Page 1 of 2)
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