Why the U.S. Army's top sniper rifle is being replaced

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2008, the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System was ranked as one of the U.S. Army's top ten inventions. Yet, despite its accolades and combat success in Afghanistan, it faces a complex transition toward lighter, more compact alternatives to meet modern battlefield needs.

The M110 SASS was adopted by the U.S. military following a 2005 competition won by Knight's Armament Company (KAC). Developed from the SR-25, it was designed to replace the bolt-action M24 Sniper Weapon System. Soldiers in Afghanistan rated the weapon highly for its semi-automatic capabilities and quality compared to its predecessor. However, a significant logistical hurdle emerged: while the Army sought a lighter version for spotters, many fielded M110A1 units were actually configured as Squad Designated Marksman Rifles (SDMR) rather than the intended compact CSASS variant.

The push for replacement stems from size and weight constraints. The original M110 is notably long; with a suppressor, it measures 46.5 inches—roughly 13 inches longer than an M4 carbine. To address this, the Army sought a weapon under 9 pounds with a maximum length of 39 inches. In 2016, a contract was awarded to Heckler & Koch to produce a modified G28 as the CSASS. This new rifle is nearly 6 cm shorter and 1.3 kg lighter than the M110, costing approximately $12,000 per unit.

The evolution of the platform remains nuanced. While some branches pursued compact versions, the Navy and Marine Corps opted for a Product Improvement Program (PIP) in 2021, favoring improved range and lethality over extreme compactness. Meanwhile, KAC introduced the M110A2 in 2021, featuring an improved gas system and adjustable stock to fill the gap left by the SDMR-heavy inventory. Additionally, specialized conversions like the M110A3 allow SOCOM rifles to fire the 6.5mm Creedmoor round using specific conversion kits.

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