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.