Kiwi's Select LMT as New Service Rifle

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http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/08/18/new-zealand-army-selects-lmt-to-produce-rifle-to-replace-steyr-aug/

New Zealand Army Selects LMT To Replace Steyr AUG
Posted 1 day ago in AR-15, Guns & Gear, News, Other Gear & Gadgets, Rifles by Nathaniel F with 87 Comments
Tags: 5.56mm, 7.62mm, ar-15, individual weapon, kiwiland, lewis machine and tool, LMT, new zealand, nz, steyr

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kiwi rifle
The New Zealand Army has been looking to replace their aging Steyr AUG rifles for some time. The New Zealand Ministry of Defense held trials to select a successor, competing in which were Beretta, CZ, Colt Canada, FNH, Steyr, SIG, H&K, and LMT. It was recently announced by the NZ MoD that Lewis Machine & Tool was selected as the winner – though what rifle they submitted was not mentioned:

A Request for Tender for the provision of contemporary individual weapons, necessary training, and associated support to the NZDF closed on 12 November 2014. Following the evaluation of the tender responses, the companies listed below were selected for the trials programme phase of the evaluation, which was undertaken between 2 March and 1 June 2015.

The following companies were selected for the Individual Weapon trials phase:

Beretta New Zealand Limited
Česká zbrojovka a.s.
Colt Canada Corporation
FN HERSTAL
STEYR MANNLICHER GmbH
XTEK Limited (Sig Sauer)
Heckler & Kock GmbH
Lewis Machine & Tools Co Inc
Following the trials programme phase of the evaluation of tenders, the Ministry has selected Lewis Machine & Tool Co Inc of the USA as preferred Tenderer. Subject to the Ministry undertaking a Due Dilligence activity and negotiation of a contract package, New Zealand Government approval will be sought to proceed to award of a contract.

The New Zealand Army recently ordered a 7.62mm LMT rifle very similar to the L129A1 in use with the British Army, so this may have been a factor in the company’s selection for the new NZ Individual Weapon. Conspicuously, the New Zealand Army expressed no preference for a bullpup platform.

UPDATE: Steve (the editor) here. We have a number of readers in New Zealand. Two of them both reported that the NZ Army have been referring to these rifles as the “M4”. I am not sure if this is an official designation, a model number or if it literally references a US mil-spec M4 Carbine (probably not).

Soldiers who say the rifles say the Army was testing two versions, one with a 16″ barrel and one with an 18″ barrel.

lmt
LMT CQB16ODGB (Olive Drab Green)

Apparently LMT rifles test at the Burnham Military Camp a couple of weeks ago resemble the LMT CQB16ODGB (although probably is not this exact model) which retails for $2,100. The CQB16ODGB features:

* CQB MRP® Upper Receiver (ODG).
* 16″ Chrome Lined 1:7″ Twist H-Bar Contour 5.56 Barrel.
* Standard Semi Auto Bolt Carrier Group.
* Tactical Charging Handle Assembly.
* Defender Lower (ODG) with SOPMOD Buttstock and Standard Trigger Group.
* Tactical Adjustable Flip Up Rear Sight.
* Tactical Flip Up Front Sight.

Apparently the NZ Army uses, or is planning on using, heavy 77 grain 5.56mm ammunition.

Thanks to all our Kiwi friends for sharing information with us.

Phil Note: While we would love to tell you and show you the exact rifle common government contract restrictions prevent the company from sharing that information.

- See more at: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/08/18/new-zealand-army-selects-lmt-to-produce-rifle-to-replace-steyr-aug/#sthash.Mdsf8JTN.dpuf
 
http://soldiersystems.net/2015/08/17/new-zealand-army-looking-replace-steyr-lewis-machine-tool-ar-15/

The New Zealand Army To Replace The Steyr With A Lewis Machine & Tool AR-15 Style Rifle
According to a Request for Tender available on the New Zealand Ministry of Defence website, The New Zealand Army has chosen to replace the Steyr AUG currently in service with an AR-15 Style rifle manufactured by Lewis Machine & Tool. The US-based manufacturer was one of multiple companies chosen for the Individual Weapon Trial Phase, which was conducted between March 2nd and June 1st of 2015.

Replacement Individual Weapon

After the trials, LMT was selected by the Ministry of Defence as the preferred Tenderer. Pending a Due Dilligence activity by the Ministry, negotiation of a contract package, and New Zealand Government approval, LMT will be awarded a contract to provide the rifles. The exact model of LMT rifle hasn’t been revealed, although according to sources, the rifles are expected to start fielding in 2016-2017.

The New Zealand Army is already well acquainted with Lewis Machine & Tool, having selected and fielded a LMT DMR since 2012. Here is a video released by the NZDF of the LMT DMR in action:



You can find out more information on the New Zealand Army’s ongoing Weapon Replacement and Upgrade Program at www.army.mil.nz/our-capability/firepower/weapons-upgrade.
 
How could that be??? Bullpup rifles are the bestest evar!! And if you don't roll bullpup then Colt Canada makes a super duper extra special high speed AR that is infinitely better than any other AR evar!!!!! :rolleyes:

Well done Kiwi's, you selected a solid option..

TW25B
 
Interesting. The UK also went with LMT for their new DMR (L129A1) and so did Canada.
 
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L42A1 said:
Canada did back in 2014. Not sure when the UK did. Im guessing 2011/2012

http://www.casr.ca/bg-army-precision-weapon-project.htm
Click to expand...

That article does not make sense, as Rampart ( LaRue ) and MD Charlton ( SIG 716 ) are competitors to LMT. I don't think the decision was made as of the beginning of this year. Some of the posters here will know better.

Some of the stuff like HK762A1 is a lighter version of the G28 totally does not make sense.
 
There is a 41k contract awarded to LMT on October 30, 2014. Unless the Cf is only buying 9 rifles, and one for each battalion.....
 
greentips said:
There is a 41k contract awarded to LMT on October 30, 2014. Unless the Cf is only buying 9 rifles, and one for each battalion.....
Click to expand...

Correct these are the trial rifles purchased & the winning submission was a platform from SIG / not LMT

gadget
 
gadget said:
Correct these are the trial rifles purchased & the winning submission was a platform from SIG / not LMT

gadget
Click to expand...

htt p://www.casr.ca/bg-army-precision-weapon-project.htm

On 30 Oct 2014, Lewis Machine & Tool of Milan, Illinois, was awarded the contract for DND's Precision (7.62 mm) Weapon Project. The winning rifle is the LM308MWS (aka the .308" Modular Weapon System ). This is essentially the same weapon as the British Army's L129A1 sharpshooter rifle bought as an urgent operational requirement for Afghanistan use.

The award to Lewis Machine & Tool Co was followed in Nov 2014 with additional awards to Rampart International of Ottawa and MD Charlton Co of Mississauga for support services.
Click to expand...

Their info regarding the AR10T was correct. I would be surprised if they went with a SIG 7.62 for a DM rifle.
 
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I actually read somewhere that they did go with SIG. I was surprised to read that they apparently didn't.
 
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So New Zealand? - the country without an air force because they couldn't get parts. Chose a weapons system that they're 8000 miles away from parts for and for which they probably won't buy parts? NZ procurement makes CF procurement look like Nobel Laureates. They originally bought the AUG because the Australians were using them and commonality in supply and parts availability made sense, in that light, this doesn't make a ton of sense. All things considered the order is for less than 7,000 troops, so it might not make a difference - New Zealand got the military that PET wanted for Canada. Sad given their great military tradition and the quality of their troops.
 
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MD CHARLTON was awarded a 750k contract at the beginning of the year. Maybe it is related, but the Cf does not give press release on things like this.
 
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