The M27 IAR is already a mainstay weapon in the U.S. Marines, with each squad being issued the IAR as the automatic squad weapon to replace the M249. Recently, the M27 IAR is also designated as the M38 DMR as it gets kitted out with optics. Now, it looks like they are going ahead with the plans they have been contemplating on for some time now --- deploy it even more to the infantry.

According to Kit-Up! The USMC’s Commandant Gen. Robert Neller confirmed the plan when he was interviewed by Military.com last December. This is based on the recommendations that were drawn up after the deployment 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in which every grunt was issued an M27.

According to Neeler, not everyone will be able to receive the M27 IAR still, such as the Javelin and the Mortar guys. Other potential candidates for having the M27 IAR are the artillery forward observers, fire support teams, and even engineers might be good candidates for the weapon. The USMC have already issued a pre-solicitation of 50,000 IARS in August 2017 and this is in-line with the plans.

Photo: M27 IAR during a Designated Marksman Course (by Lance Cpl. Levi Schultz)

With the need for more IARs, the competition and economies of scale have pushed the cost of the rifle down from US$3,000, which is more expensive to the US$1,000 M4 rifle which is the standard service rifle in the U.S. Military. The Kit-Up blogpost though failed to mention the actual cost of the IAR as of the moment.

What is more interesting in the blogpost, is that they plan to kit each grunt in the Corps “from head to toe” with some of the latest gear and weapon accessories. This includes more special operations gear for the grunts, suppressors, hearing enhancement, ear protection, and communications equipment.

We’ll be hearing more what the new equipment upgrades the Marines will have in the near future.

Top photo:  Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment training with the M27 IAR (by Lance Cpl. Aaron S. Patterson)