The U.S. Army is extending its contract with FN America to be the sole-source provider of FN M249 SAW machine guns in 5.56 NATO. The SAW has been in use with the Army since 1986.
“We are honored to continue our dedication as a critical partner to the U.S. military and pleased to announce this latest Army contract award for the FN M249 SAW, a flagship design for FN, in service for more than 30 years,” said FN CEO and President Mark Cherpes. “The proven design has served the U.S. military, reliably and without fail. We look forward to building these machine guns at our production facility in Columbia, South Carolina.”
FN hasn’t disclosed the dollar amount of the contract but it will run through 2025. The company also holds contracts to produce the M240 medium machine gun, the FN MK 17, MK 20 SSR, MK 46 and M48 for the U.S. military.
At the same time, the U.S. Coast Guard is selecting the Gen 5 Glock 19 MOS for service. This comes as a bit of a surprise since much of the military is adopting the SIG Sauer M17 or M18, both P320 variants, for their sidearms.
The Coast Guard has already adopted the M18 for select users through the Army’s Modular Handgun Program so the two pistols will be in service at the same time.
The decision to add the Glock 19 is a result of their relationship with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard operates under DHS for its peacetime actions in domestic and international waters.
See Also: All Branches Join the MHS Club, Adopting SIG Sidearms
The Coast Guard is purchasing their pistols through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection contract already in place with Glock. Previously the USCG issued the SIG Sauer P229 DAK in .40 Smith & Wesson, the same pistol used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Security agents.
“Glock is honored to support the requirements of the USCG and provide a weapon solution that delivers on unmatched performance and value in any environment,” said Glock Vice President Josh Dorsey. “The comprehensive testing and evaluation process conducted by CBP demonstrated the Glock pistols’ lasting reliability that instills confidence in those who use it to go into harm’s way.”
The Glock 19 Gen5 MOS is Glock’s most up-to-date version of their midsize service pistol chambered for 9mm Luger. It features ambidextrous and reversible controls and has a slide cut for mini red dot sights.
Bro – there’s no such agency as “U.S. Immigration and Customs Security.” Do a quick fact check. Make the editors earn their paycheck.
Doesn’t make logistical sense to have 2 pistols for the same mission. However I do understand why they selected the G19. Not a Glock fanboy but they have shown themselves to hold up well in slat water environments.