Barrett Firearms Manufacturing has been awarded a five-year, $49.9 million contract under the United States Army Precision Sniper Rifle program for its MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design) MK22 MOD 0 rifle. The firearm will be issued as the cornerstone of a precision kit that includes a Leupold & Stevens Mark 5 HD scope and sniper-accessories. The MK22 will replace several currently fielded Army rifles.
Designed with precision and modularity in mind, the MK22 provides even greater flexibility within the highly successful MRAD rifle platform. This multi-caliber bolt action sniper rifle is capable of converting between 7.62 NATO, .300 Norma Mag. and .338 Norma Mag. chamberings, based on the mission.
The Army wrote the MRAD MK22 rifle platform “…increases stand-off distances ensuring overmatch against enemy counter sniper engagements and increases sniper capability,” in its budget request. Nearly 3,000 will be purchased by the branch, under terms of the agreement.
“We are honored to have been awarded the Army’s Precision Sniper Rifle Program in addition to SOCOM’s Advanced Sniper Rifle contract. The MK22 is an extremely capable rifle system that meets the demanding requirements of our military branches,” said Joel Miller, Barrett's director of global military sales.
U.S. Special Operations Command entered into a different contract with Barrett in 2019 to purchase M22 MRADs for use by snipers serving with the Special Forces. That contract was also for roughly $50 million. Delivery of rifles under it began late last year.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense procured MRADs chambered for .300 PRC in late 2018. Details on the volume of order and value were not released.
Barrett introduced the MRAD in 2011 and versions currently available to civilian shooters are chambered either .300 PRC, .300 Norma Mag., .300 Win. Mag., .308 Win., .338 Norma Mag., .338 Lapua Mag. or 6.5 Creedmoor. MRAD MK22s can be purchased in .300 Norma Mag., .338 Norma Mag. and 7.62 NATO.
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