Basis of Issue Plan - BOIP

A. DESCRIPTION: THE M4A1 IS A COMPACT LIGHTWEIGHT WEAPON THAT IS A MODIFIED M4 CARBINE. THE M4A1 (SOF VARIANT) CARBINE DIFFERS FROM THE BASIC M4 IN THE FOLLOWING FEATURES; FULL AUTOMATIC FIRING MODE, A FLAT TOP RAIL FOR MOUNTING DAY/NIGHT SIGHTS AND A DETACHABLE CARRYING HANDLE. B. CAPABILITIES: THE M4A1 FIRES THE SAME AMMUNITION AS THE M16A2 AND THE M4 CARBINE. IT ALSO MOUNTS ALL ACCESSORIES COMMON TO THE M16A2 AND M4 TO INCLUDE THE 40MM GRENADE LAUNCHER. SOF UNITS WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO ADAPT ONE VERSATILE WEAPON TO MEET SEVERAL MISSION NEEDS RATHER THAN HAVING MANY DIFFERENT WEAPONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED. C. EMPLOYMENT: THE M4A1 WILL BE USED BY THE SPECIAL FORCES GROUPS, RANGERS AND SOF AVIATION UNITS. D. BASIS OF ISSUE: A. THE M4A1 WILL REPLACE THE M4 CARBINE AND M16A2 RIFLES IN THE RANGER REGIMENT AND SPECIAL FORCES GROUPS. B. THE M4A1 WILL REPLACE THE M4 CARBINES FOR THE FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS IN THE SOF AVIATION UNITS. E. POWER REQUIREMENTS: NONE. F. TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS: NONE. G. PERSONNEL/MAINTENANCE IMPACTS: (1) OPERATOR: (A) MOS/CREW SIZE: ONE GPU OPERATOR (B) TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: FIELDING OF THE M4A1 WILL REQUIRE ALL USERS TO TRAIN ON THE WEAPON. (2) MAINTAINERS: UL: 92Y, DS/GS: 45B H. SPECIAL NOTES: ITEM IS APPROPRIATE FOR INCLUSION IN AR 71-13.