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SOPMOD

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TheSpecial Operations Peculiar MODification(SOPMOD) kit is an accessory system for theM4A1 carbine,CQBR,FN SCAR Mk 16/17,HK416and other weapons used byUnited States Special Operations Command(USSOCOM)special forcesunits, though it is not specific to SOCOM. The kit allowsUS Special Operations Forces(US SOF) personnel to configure their weapons to individual preferences and customize for different mission requirements.

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

The SOPMOD kit is composed mostly ofnon-developmental itemsandcommercial 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[edit]

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:

  • M203A1 Grenade Launcherwith a 9-inch barrel
  • KACM203 Grenade Launcher Quick Release Front Bracket
  • Quick-attach M203 Grenade Launcher Leaf Sight
  • InsightAN/PEQ-5Carbine Visible Laser (CVL)
  • Insight AN/PAQ-4 Infrared Aiming Light
  • AN/PVS-17AMini- Night Vision Sight
  • AN/PSQ-18A M203 Day/Night Sight
  • Carrying/storage case for kit accessories

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

  • Gas-deflectingcharging handles(presumably the PRI M84 Gas Buster Charging Handle with Military Big Latch)
  • Extraction Parts Set #2
  • Redi-Mag
  • Lewis Machine and Tool Company(LMT) /B5 SystemsSloping Cheekweld Stock
  • Ambidextrous Selector Switch
  • Visible Bright Light II (VBL II) (based on the older genSurefireM962C model, replacement for the Insight VLI)[5]
  • High Reliability Magazines (HRM) steel and aluminum[3][6]

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 KACMasterkeyShotgun, theM26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System,and theM320 grenade launcher.[3]Also, variousEOTechholographic sights, prominently EOTech 551s and 552s are used on many SOPMOD configured M4s.

Block I Phased Replacements[edit]

SOPMOD Block I Phased Replacements
  • Daniel DefenseM4A1 RIS II (Rail Interface System), GL/SSC RIS II (Grenade Launcher/Sound Suppressor Capable), and MK18 RIS II (with FSP (front sight post) variations)free-float handguards[7][8][9][10]
  • InsightM3X VBL III Gun Light (SU-233/PVS), replacement for the VBL II
  • Insight M6X VBL III Integrated Gun Light (SU-238/PVS), replacement for the VBL II
  • EOTech553 Holographic Weapon Sight (SU-231/PEQ)
  • TrijiconACOGTA31ECOS 4x Scope +DocterMiniature Red Dot (MRD) (SU-237/PVS)[11]
  • AN/PVS-17Product Improvement Kit
  • BUIS II[12]

Block II[edit]

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

  • Daniel DefenseM4A1 RIS II (Rail Interface System), GL/SSC RIS II (Grenade Launcher/Sound Suppressor Capable), and MK18 RIS II (with FSP (front sight post) variations) free-float handguards[7][8][9][10]
  • InsightM3X VBL III Gun Light (SU-233/PVS), replacement for the VBL II
  • Insight M6X VBL III Integrated Gun Light (SU-238/PVS), replacement for the VBL II
  • Insight WMX 200 Tactical Weapon Light
  • EOTech553 Holographic Weapon Sight (SU-231/PEQ)
  • EOTech EXPS3-0 Holographic Weapon Sight (SU-231A/PEQ)[13]
  • AN/PVS-17Product Improvement Kit
  • BUIS II[12]
  • InsightLA-5C/PEQ ATPIAL(Advanced Target Pointer Illuminator Aiming Laser), an ultra high-powered variant of the AN/PEQ-15
  • Insight CNVD-T Thermal Sight (SU-232/PAS)[12]
  • EOTech M40GL Grenade Launcher Sight (SU-253/PEQ ECOS-GL)[14]
  • ElcanSpecterDR 1-4x Scope +DocterMRD (SU-230/PVS)
  • TrijiconACOGTA31ECOS 4x Scope + Docter MRD (SU-237/PVS)[11]
  • Insight AN/PVS-24 Clip-On Night Vision Device-Image Intensified (CVND-I2)[12]
US Army75thRangersusing 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.

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) Kit".GlobalSecurity.org.Archived fromthe originalon April 16, 2022.
  2. ^abTaylor, Gus (May 15, 2003)."SOPMOD Program Overview".NDIA.Archived fromthe originalon June 3, 2022.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
  3. ^abcRottman, Gordon L. (2011).The M16.Botley, Oxford, UK:Osprey Publishing.pp. 45–46.ISBN978-1849086905.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
  4. ^"US Marine Corps Intends To Sole Source Knights Armament Co NT-4 Suppressor".Soldier Systems Daily.July 14, 2020. Archived fromthe originalon September 3, 2020.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
  5. ^"5855-01-501-3081 (M952NXM07) Data".Part Target.Archived fromthe originalon June 26, 2022.RetrievedJune 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 fromthe original(PDF)on September 13, 2014.RetrievedJune 3,2022.
  7. ^ab"MK18 RAIL INTERFACE SYSTEM II, RIS II (FDE)".Daniel Defense.Archived fromthe originalon September 22, 2020.RetrievedJune 24,2022.
  8. ^ab"M4A1 RAIL INTERFACE SYSTEM II, RIS II (BLACK)".Daniel Defense.Archived fromthe originalon May 29, 2022.RetrievedJune 24,2022.
  9. ^ab"M4A1 FSP RAIL INTERFACE SYSTEM, RIS II (BLACK)".Daniel Defense.Archived fromthe originalon May 29, 2022.RetrievedJune 24,2022.
  10. ^ab"Rare Sighting Of A Daniel Defense GL/SSC RIS II".Soldier Systems Daily.October 20, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon May 14, 2021.RetrievedJune 24,2022.
  11. ^ab"1240-01-540-1186 (TA31ECOS) Data".Part Target.Archived fromthe originalon June 10, 2022.RetrievedJune 24,2022.
  12. ^abcdeTaylor IV, Lucius A. "Gus"; Gatewood, Barry (May 8, 2007)."USSOCOM SOPMOD - Miniature Day/Night Sight Development Program"(PDF).NDIA.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on June 4, 2022.RetrievedJune 4,2022.
  13. ^Gurwitch, Scott (June 2017)."History of SOPMOD, Part II".SWAT.Archived fromthe originalon June 5, 2022.RetrievedJune 5,2022.
  14. ^Pittman v. L-3 Communications EOTech, Inc.,2:16-cv-11051-NGE-EAS(E.D. Mich. 22 March 2016), archived fromthe originalon 2020-09-25.
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