{"id":14072,"date":"2018-09-18T20:26:30","date_gmt":"2018-09-18T20:26:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/09\/18\/these-six-companies-have-been-selected-to-compete-in-the-armys-submachine-gun-program\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:48:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:48:54","slug":"these-six-companies-have-been-selected-to-compete-in-the-armys-submachine-gun-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/off-duty\/gearscout\/2018\/09\/18\/these-six-companies-have-been-selected-to-compete-in-the-armys-submachine-gun-program\/","title":{"rendered":"These six companies have been selected to compete in the Army\u2019s submachine gun program"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The U.S. Army could be buying submachine guns for conventional forces. Get a look at a couple of possibilities. (Jeff Martin\/Staff)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

After some fits and starts, the Army submachine gun program has reached its next phase as officials have selected the six companies they want to provide guns<\/a> for consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program caught attention when it was first mentioned at the annual National Defense Industrial Association\u2019s Armament Systems forum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lt. Col. Steven Power, product manager of Soldier Weapons for Program Executive Office-Soldier noted the then-recent posting of a Request For Information on sub gun options for soldier personal security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fairly quickly, more than a dozen companies sent their offerings, and the designs ranged from the classic Heckler & Koch MP5-style to the smaller M4-type guns chambered in 9mm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sub guns or subcompact guns have been in use in the military for a variety of purposes dating back to the Thompson Submachine gun developed during World War I and put into use in World War II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That heavy-duty, high-capacity weapon fell out of use in the subsequent decades, while other lighter versions with smaller rounds such as the 9mm came into fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sub guns have long been used by special operations forces, such as the Navy SEALs, for close-quarters battle shooting scenarios. But they were not in common use among the rank and file for some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That seems to be part of the reason that posting caught the attention of military-gun focused readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, it appeared the program halted when the RFI was canceled after 13 submissions were received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, in a few short weeks, a Prototype Opportunity Notice by Army Contracting Command was posted, modifying some of the requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new notice wants a \u201chighly concealable [Sub Compact Weapon] system capable of engaging threat personnel with a high volume of lethal force while accurately firing at close range with minimal collateral damage.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sub gun now had to be optimized specifically to fire a 147-grain 9mm and include 20- and 30-round magazines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It must fire 60 rounds per minute for five minutes without a cookoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following companies were selected for the next phase:<\/p>\n\n\n\n