New in 2018: Corps adopts M855A1 round

In 2018 the Marine Corps will be adopting the Army’s enhanced 5.56mm rifle round for Marines in combat.

The Army’s M855A1 round has proved a deadlier bullet than the Corps’ M855 5.56mm round, said Chris Woodburn of the Corps’ Combat Development Command.

“The M855A1 provides improved performance over the current M855, 5.56mm round in a lead-free form factor, and provides improved steel penetration, hard- and soft-target terminal effects, with more consistent terminal effects than the M855 at ranges out to 600 meters,” Woodburn told Marine Corps Times.

RELATED

17 things Marines need to know for 2018

Here’s a preview of what’s in store for the Marines in 2018.

By Marine Corps Times staff

The Marine Corps will begin ­procuring the enhanced round for its combat stockpiles this fiscal year, said ­Woodburn. ­Deployed Marines who are ­issued M855A1 rounds can use them now.

In testing, the Army round caused “some durability issues” for the ­Marine Corps’ M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, Brig. Gen. Joseph Shrader, ­MARCORYSCOM’s commanding officer, told Senators in June. Even though the M855A1 reduces the IAR’s durability, the M27 is still “operationally suitable” when firing the Army rounds, Woodburn said.

Neller is considering replacing M4 carbines in infantry squads with IARs. In ­February, MARCORSYSCOM expressed interest in buying 11,000 weapons meeting the IAR’s requirements.

More In Your Marine Corps

Sailors, Marines reporting sexual assault will not be punished for related ‘minor misconduct’

Collateral misconduct by the victim is one of the most significant barriers to reporting a sexual assault, said Andrea Goldstein, the Navy Department’s assistant director for force resiliency.

The Marine Corps is looking to its Reserve for new support

Historically a mirror version of the active-duty side, reservists are taking the lead in some areas

Pentagon ends blocking of abortion-related sites on computer networks

The Pentagon lifted a longstanding ban that prevented troops and civilians from searching for abortion-related term last month.

Judges hear appeal to reinstate charges against corpsman in MARSOC manslaughter case

Judges should deliver their decision in the coming weeks.

‘It’s scary as hell’ — PFAS exposure a ‘widespread’ problem for troops, families nationwide

Some of the highest concentrations of PFAS chemicals in the country have been found at and around military bases.

In Other News

Little guidance for troops, dependents who may need to end a pregnancy post-Roe

The Pentagon's current message is "business as usual."

How volunteers can help defeat great powers

"It was clear from the onset and confirmed throughout our visit that volunteers played a critical role in the defense of Kyiv, yet their role has not been systematically studied."

High cost of Russian gains in Ukraine may limit new advance

Putin has declared victory in the eastern Ukraine region of Luhansk, but the high cost of Russian gains may limit a new advance.

New details emerge about the 2020 Bonhomme Richard fire, ahead of censure of three-star

Retired Vice Adm. Rich Brown was named accountable for the loss of the amphibious ship Bonhomme Richard but was ultimately cleared of wrongdoing in December. Six months later, he's facing censure from the Navy secretary.

WW2 Medal of Honor recipient to lie in honor at US Capitol

The last remaining Medal of Honor recipient from World War II will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol.

Load More