US Army officials have issued an updated timeline for replacing the M9 9mm pistol with the Modular Handgun System with competition between gun makers officially beginning next year, followed by a contract to be awarded which would have the new pistol ready by 2018, Military.com and the Washington Times reported.
Army officials expect that following an open official competition, a contract will be awarded to a single gun maker for nearly 300,000 new pistols by 2018.
“We expect to release the final solicitation in 2016,” said Col. Scott Armstrong, the Project Manager for Soldier Weapons, in a June 17 press release from Program Executive Office Soldier.
“This will be followed by a phased down-select process that will run through 2017. When all is said and done, the XM17 will provide warfighters with greater accuracy, target acquisition and ergonomic design. The new handgun will also be more reliable, durable and easier to maintain.”
