M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle | |
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![]() M27 IAR with ACOG Squad Day Optic and AN/PEQ-16A weapon-mounted laser module with visible laser, infrared targeting laser, infrared illuminator, and white light | |
Type | Squad automatic weapon Assault rifle Designated marksman rifle (M38 DMR) |
Place of origin | Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 2010–present |
Used by | United States Marine Corps |
Wars | War in Afghanistan Syrian Civil War |
Production history | |
Designer | Heckler & Koch |
Designed | 2008 |
Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
Unit cost | US$1,300[1] |
Produced | 2010–present |
No. built | 14,100[2] |
Specifications | |
Mass | 7.9 lb (3.6 kg) empty 9.8 lb (4.4 kg) loaded weight with sling[3] |
Length | 36.9 to 33 in (940 to 840 mm) with adjustable stock |
Barrel length | 16.5 in (420 mm) 10.4 in (260 mm)[4] |
Width | 3.1 in (79 mm) |
Height | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
Action | Gas-operated short-stroke piston, rotating bolt |
Rate of fire |
|
Muzzle velocity | 2900 ft/s (884 m/s) |
Effective firing range | 550 m (600 yd) (point target) 700 m (770 yd) (area target)[5] |
Maximum firing range | 3,938 yd (3,601 m)[5] |
Feed system | 30-round STANAG magazine |
Sights | Typically Trijicon ACOG, flip-up rear rotary diopter sight and front post |
The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) is a 5.56mm, select-fire assault rifle, based on the HK416 by Heckler & Koch. It is used by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and is intended to be issued to all infantry riflemen as well as automatic riflemen. The USMC initially planned to purchase 6,500 M27s to replace a portion of the M249 light machine guns employed by automatic riflemen within Infantry and Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions. Approximately 8,000–10,000 M249s will remain in service with the Marine Corps to be used at the discretion of company commanders. In December 2017, the Marine Corps announced that it would equip every member of an infantry squad with the M27, supplanting the M4 carbine which would be retained at the platoon leadership positions and above.[6]