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Colt IAR6940

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For the open bolt light machine gun, see Colt Automatic Rifle. For the family of assault rifles by Colt, see CAR-15.
Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940
The Colt IAR 6940 in FDE camo
TypeLight machine gun
Squad automatic weapon
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2010–present
Used bySee users
Production history
DesignerPhil Hinckley
Designed2008
ManufacturerColt's Manufacturing Company
VariantsSee variants
Specifications
Mass
  • 6940 & 6940E-SG unloaded: 4.32 kg (9.52 lb)[1]
  • 6940 & 6940E-SG loaded (30-round STANAG): 4.95 kg (10.91 lb)
  • 6940H unloaded: 4.58 kg (10.1 lb)[1]
  • 6940H loaded (30-round STANAG): 5.21 kg (11.49 lb)
Length851 mm (33.5 in) stock retracted, 934 mm (36.8 in) stock extended
Barrel length406 mm (16 in)
Cartridge5.56×45mm NATO
Caliber5.56 mm (0.22 in)
ActionGas Operated, Rotating bolt
Rate of fireCyclic: 700–1000 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity2900 ft/s (884 m/s) (M855)[2]
Effective firing range600 m (656 yd)
Feed system30 round STANAG M16 box magazine, 100–150 round Beta C-Mag, PMAG D-60 Magazine
SightsIron sights or Picatinny rail for various optical sights

The Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940 (commonly shortened to Colt IAR or IAR6940), is a Light machine gun designed by Phil Hinckley and manufactured by American firearms manufacturer Colt.

Developed as a part of the Infantry Automatic Rifle program to "satisfy the role currently played by the FN M249 SAW in a lighter, more man-portable mode" in the United States Marine Corps, the IAR6940 eventually lost out to the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle built by Heckler & Koch. Nevertheless, the weapon was exported internationally and has found usage in militaries around the world, notably in armies in Mexico and Singapore.

The IAR6940 is gas-operated and air‐cooled. It is fed by box magazines such as the STANAG and Drum magazines. It is chambered in 5.56×45 mm NATO and is based on the M16 rifle/M4 carbine. Similar to the CAR-15, from which it shares many fundamental features, the IAR 6940 uses a direct impingement system rather than a gas piston system. The weapon includes a distinctly large heatsink below the barrel.

History

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Background

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On March 27, 2008, the United States Marine Corps issued a Purchase Description outlining the requirements for the Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) to potential manufacturers. The Marines were specifically looking for designs that met precise criteria.[1]

The primary objective of the IAR Program was to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) with a single-infantry marine-operated automatic rifle that prioritized lightweight and ease of portability to enhance dismounted maneuverability. The IAR would be a non-developmental, 5.56mm automatic rifle that would be more durable and reliable than the M249 SAW.[3]

The Marine Corps put across a specified kit that would accompany the IAR, which were a rear aperture sight (Matech BUIS), a blank firing adapter, cleaning kit, Grip Pod, 3-point sling, an operators' manual and sufficient magazines to hold 300 rounds of 5.56×45mm NATO.[1]

US Trials

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The M27 IAR won the USMC IAR program, beating out the IAR 6940, IAR 6940H and SCAR HAMR in supplementing the M249.

Colt Defense was awarded two contracts[4] for each of their entries into the program; the IAR6940 and IAR6940H. The IAR 6940 is marginally heavier than the IAR6940H at 10.1 pounds (4.58 kg) compared to the latter at 9.28 pounds (4.21 kg), with the main reason being that the IAR 6940 sported a monolithic upper receiver while the IAR6940H used a lighter Knight's Armament Handguard.[5] Colt submitted the two variants as contenders for to the IAR program.

With the kit, both models met the desired specifications of the USMC and were able to make it to the finals of the contest. However, it ultimately lost the contest to Heckler & Koch's M27 IAR. The rifle therefore never saw widespread usage in the U.S. Military but was released to the civilian market in 2017, albeit at a very low quantity at only 200 units by the U.S. Armament Company.[1][6]

Mexican Army

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In 2010, the Colt IAR6940 was selected and sold to the Naval Infantry Corps of the Mexican Navy and is widely used in the ongoing drug war in Mexico.[7]

Singapore Army

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In 2023, Ministry of Defense Singapore performed trials[8] for the New Section Automatic Weapon (NSAW) program, which would replace the aging Ultimax 100 which has been in use for roughly 42 years.[9] The new Light Machine Gun, the IAR6940E-SG, is a new variant of the Colt IAR that was evaluated and procured in partnership with the Defense Science and Technology Agency and has been assessed to be a suitable successor to the Ultimax 100.[10] It was introduced to the Singapore Army on April 24, 2024,[11] and fully replaced the Ultimax 100 on the end of July 2024, as troops underwent more training on the Colt IAR6940.

The IAR6940E-SG uses a configuration that comes with a Red dot sight, a 3× Magnifier, a Laser Aiming Device and a foregrip. The modifications allowed for increased combat effectiveness and ergonomics.[10]

A soldier entering a house with the Colt IAR.
An SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) Soldier entering a house with the Colt IAR6940E-SG.

Design

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The Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940 is a magazine-fed light machine gun. It fires the 5.56×45 mm NATO cartridge. The rifle accepts AR-15 magazines, such as the STANAG, PMAG and Drum magazines.[12][13]

As a part of the IAR Program, it was built to be lighter and more portable than the M249. It weighs 4.32 kg (9.52 lb) compared to the M249 at 7.5 kg (17 lb).[5][14] With the stock extended, it is 934 mm (36.8 in) in length.[7]

The weapon uses a closed bolt, gas operated system using direct impingement very similar to the CAR-15. The gas developed from the fired cartridge is vented directly towards the bolt, sending it rearward to cycle the action. This contributes to the weapon's lighter weight and reduces wear on parts. All military models of the IAR6940 have select-fire capabilities between semi-automatic and full automatic. The rifle's gas regulator can be adjusted depending on the ammunition or desired fire rate (from 700 to 1000 rounds per minute).[15][16][1]

The upper receiver is a monolithic design with the upper hand guard integrated. Features include a full-length MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail on the top, followed by 2 shorter rails on either side of the hand guard, with venting adjacent along the top side.[15][17][18] Other characteristics of the upper receiver are largely similar to that of the M4/M16-type rifles, like the forward assist, cartridge deflector, and ejection port cover. The IAR6490 typically comes with a Matech BUIS Rear Sight, but many configurations also include accessories such as optics and lasers.[1][15]

A large heatsink is implemented on the lower hand guard, which is aimed to increases the time it takes for the firearm to cook-off under extended periods of fire. It can be replaced or equipped with grip attachments. Most configurations of the IAR6940 come with a Grip Pod (a vertical foregrip with an integrated bipod)[19] for increased stability.[10][9]

The bolt assembly is identical to the M4's, and also shares the same factory charging handle and bolt carrier group. The lower receiver of the IAR6940 is functionally similar to the M4's as well with some changes including an ambidextrous fire selector and magazine release.[10] The rear includes a H3 Buffer Tube which supports most AR stocks but comes default with a VLTOR E-Mod stock.[1]

The barrel is 16 inches (406.4 mm) in length. It is internally chrome-plated, with progressive 1/7 right-hand parabolic twist rifling.[12] As a requirement for the USMC IAR Program, it has a bayonet stud for bayonet mounting and a folding front sight. It is equipped with a compensator for reduced recoil.[1]

Variants

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  • Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940: The default model of the Colt IAR. It features a monolithic upper receiver, increasing stability while also slighting increasing the weight with respect to the other models. The standard configuration includes a compensator, a Matech BUIS Sight and 30 round STANAG magazines. It is used by the Mexican Navy as support weapons in the Naval Infantry Corps.[1][7]
  • Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940H: A variant jointly developed by Knight's Armament Company (KAC). It includes many modifications that were designed and created by KAC, such as the handguard, which weighed the weapon less than the IAR6940. The standard configuration includes a compensator, a KAC Rear Sight and 30 round STANAG magazines.[20] The IAR6940H has since been discontinued by Colt following the conclusion of the IAR trial by the Marine Corps.[1]
  • Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940P: A prototype variant that incorporated an external piston system in place of the direct gas impingement. It was a third model designed by Phil Hinckley but was never submitted into the US Marines' IAR Program.[1]
  • Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940E-SG: A variant designed specifically for the Singapore Army. It is equipped with a red dot sight with a 3x magnifier scope as well as a multi-purpose Laser Aiming Device (LAD) capable of 4 modes, visible or infra-red (IR) laser, IR illuminator.[21]

Users

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "The Colt IAR6940 (Infantry Automatic Rifle) - Small Arms Review". 2014-10-01. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  2. ^ "EXTREMELY RARE COLT INFANTRY AUTOMATIC RIFLE ASSEMBLY ON FACTORY M4 CARBINE. | Poulin's Antiques and Auctions, Inc". www.poulinauctions.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  3. ^ "U.S Marine Corps Concepts & Programs" (PDF). U.S Marine Corps Concepts & Programs: 69. 2009.
  4. ^ Daily, Defense Industry. "IAR What IAR: The USMC's SAW Substitution – Defense Industry Daily". www.defenseindustrydaily.com/. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  5. ^ a b News Digital Media, Sandboxx (2021-12-09). "M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle: All the Guns the US Marines Said 'No' To". 19FortyFive. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  6. ^ "Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940E". The Colt AR-15 Resource. 2019-01-27. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  7. ^ a b c "Mexican Marines adopt Colt IAR –". The Firearm Blog. 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  8. ^ "Reply to Shephard Media and Jane's Queries on the use of Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle". www.mindef.gov.sg. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  9. ^ a b "Singapore Army selects Colt as next rifle supplier – Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  10. ^ a b c d YeoCorrespondent, Mike (2024-05-21). "New light machine gun for Singapore Army enters service". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-05-22. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ "S'pore Army introduces new light machine gun to replace the SAW Ultimax 100 in use since 1982". mothership.sg. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  12. ^ a b "INFANTRY AUTOMATIC RIFLE (IAR) | Target Group LTD". targetgroup.gr. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  13. ^ "2013 Military Rifle and Carbine Catalog". The Colt AR-15 Resource. 2019-02-19. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  14. ^ "PEO Soldier | Portfolio – PM SL – M249 5.56mm Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW)". www.peosoldier.army.mil. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  15. ^ a b c admin (2023-05-05). "Singapore Army Selects Colt To Supply Infantry Automatic Rifle 6940 (IAR6940) - MilitaryLeak.COM". militaryleak.com. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  16. ^ "Colt IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle) Assault Rifle/SAW Hybrid Weapon (Photos!)". DefenseReview.com (DR): An online tactical technology and military defense technology magazine with particular focus on the latest and greatest tactical firearms news (tactical gun news), tactical gear news and tactical shooting news. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  17. ^ Haskew, Michael E. (2017-04-20). Colt: An American Classic. Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 978-1-78274-304-0.
  18. ^ "Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR™)". 2016-03-17. Archived from the original on 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  19. ^ "Home Of The Vertical Foregrip Bipod – Grip Pod". www.grippod.com. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  20. ^ "Colt and its Infantry Automatic Rifle concept". Sandboxx. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  21. ^ "Colt IAR Introduced Into Singaporean Service – Asian Defence Journal". 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  22. ^ "Transparency Military Equipment List" (PDF). Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. LASD. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
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