| Mk 14 EBR | |
|---|---|
 Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle "Rock Island", used by theU.S. Army | |
| Type | Designated marksman rifle[1] Chassis base variant ofM14Battle rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2002–present |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Iraq War Syrian Civil War[2][3] War in Iraq (2013–2017) Russo-Ukrainian War[4] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mike Rock and Jim Ribordy (Original) Smith Enterprise, Inc. (Current) |
| Designed | 2001 |
| Manufacturer | Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division Smith Enterprise Inc. Sage International |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 11.24 lb (5.1 kg)[5] |
| Length | 35 in (889 mm)[5] |
| Barrel length | 18 in (457 mm) (Mod 0, Mod 1)[5] 22 in (558.8 mm) (Mod 2, EBR-RI) |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated,rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | 700–750 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 853 m/s (2,800 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 700 m (770 yd)[6] |
| Feed system | 10- or 20-round detachableboxmagazine |
| Sights | Modified M14iron sights, normally used with a magnifying scope |
TheMk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) is an American militarydesignated marksman rifle and a modernized/tactical chassis-based variant of theselect-fireM14battle rifle chambered for the7.62×51mm NATOcartridge, which is originally built for use with units ofUnited States Special Operations Command, such as theUnited States Navy SEALs,Delta Force, and task specificGreen Berets ODA teams/units.[7]
Development began in 2000 with a request by theUnited States Navy SEALs for a more compact M14 battle rifle.[8] A few prototype stocks were also made in the same year.[9] In 2001, Mike Rock Rifle Barrels was the only rifle barrel maker asked byUnited States Special Operations Command to participate in aSOPMOD conference to create what would be the Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR, with details that include a collapsible stock that was requested for the new rifle and with an aluminum body with telescopic rails. Mike Rock collaborated with engineer Jim Ribordy to make the new rifle. Tests showed that their rifle was effective, but had excessive noise problems.
In 2003,Ron Smith andSmith Enterprise, Inc. created their own version of the M14 EBR (MK14 SEI),[10] which used a medium heavy weight 457 mm (18.0") barrel and was more widely favored than the rifle made by Rock and Ribordy. The Smith Enterprise-based MK14 was then used as a basis to eventually create the Mk 14 Mod 0 withSpringfield Armory, Inc. being tasked to supply the necessary machinery needed to create the rifle in cooperation with theNaval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division.
United States Navy SEALs were the first to be armed with the EBR in 2004,[6] followed by theU.S. Coast Guard. TheU.S. Army also uses the M14 EBR-RI, being created and updated by the Weapons Product Support Integration Directorate of theTACOM Life Cycle Management Command at the Keith L. Ware Test Facility in Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois; having fielded approximately 5,000 units by mid-2010.
In early 2017, the Army began writing a new requirement for anSDM rifle (SDMR) for combat platoons and squads. Although the Army has been using the M14 EBR since 2009, they had to be turned in when returning from theater, and it had weight issues being almost 15 lb (6.8 kg) unloaded.[citation needed] A new marksman rifle will equip each combat arms squad weighing about 11 lb (5.0 kg) firing standard M80A1 7.62 mm rounds fitted with a rifle optic rather than a telescopic sight.[11] In March 2018, the Army announced that a version of theHK G28, which had already been selected to replace theM110 SASS, would be issued as the service's standard SDMR. Issuing a 7.62 mm SDMR is meant to increase individual squads' ability to defeat enemy body armor that standard5.56×45mm rounds cannot penetrate. Fielding was planned to start in late 2018.[12]
This rifle upgrades the standard M14 action and replaces the standard 22.0-inch (560 mm) barrel with an 18.0-inch (460 mm) barrel bolted onto a telescoping chassis stock system[7] with a pistol grip, a different front sight, Harrisbipod, fourPicatinny accessory rails (which surround the barrel),[7] and a more effective flash hider in place of the standard lugged USGI flash suppressor.[13] A paddle-type bolt stop similar to that of theM4 carbine is used on the rifle. The EBR chassis system stock is made up entirely of lightweight aircraft alloy.
AKydex hand guard and M68 CCO are also added, though they are almost always replaced with a vertical foregrip and magnifying scope for better handling and for use in a designated marksman role.[citation needed] A Wind Talkersuppressor can be mounted on the DC Vortex flash hider,[14] though the U.S. military did not adopt one to active service.
Sage International had some involvement in the decision of whether to invest approximately $120,000 in an injection mold incorporating rail attachments into the design or machine the replacement stock from a solid billet of aluminum. The latter option was selected, which was then shown at theSHOT Show in Orlando in 2003.
The Mk 14 has been criticised for being too heavy, at 14 pounds (6.4 kg) when loaded with a 20-round magazine, with most of this weight being at the front of the rifle, making it difficult to aim.[15]
Several configurations are available on the Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR, including the attachment of anAN/PVS-4 night vision scope. Others had included the capability of adding two different scopes or sights on the Picatinny rails, for more precision or zoom level.[citation needed]
First fielded in 2013, the Mod 0 replaces the M14's stock and handguard, and the operating rod has been redesigned, connecting the barrel to the stock.[16] Designed for use by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, its parts are coated with manganese phosphate to help resist corrosion.[17]
The Mod 1 variant is a CQB variant of the Mk 14. It has its battle rifle features featuring the EBR chassis with small hand guard and tube extension with a Magpul CTR stock (with the cheek riser), which were developed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division in 2006.
This variant of the Mk 14 has a longer barrel length, retaining the M14 barrel length with 22 inch; and compared to the Mod 0 and Mod 1 versions, making it rely on precision, and the stock & barrel is found on the M14 Forum as its stock and barrel are very difficult to find.
Just like the Mod 0, it has the Sage EBR chassis, but it retained the M14 barrel length as the same thing mentioned from the Mod 2. This variant is adopted byDelta Force,US Marines (as a concept development to make the M39 EMR) &US Army, while in use by theNavy SEAL.
TheM39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle began development around 2006 at the request ofMarine Corps Systems Command, who wanted a versatile semi-automatic rifle that could operate alongside theM40A5.[18] It entered service in 2008, replacing the standard M14 DMR in Marine Corps usage.[17]
While theNaval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division creates the military Mk 14 Mod 0 and Mod 1 rifles, Sage International was contracted to provide the rifle's chassis-type stock.[9]
The MK14 is available to civilian sales sold as a full rifle or a chassis for theM14 andM1A, as Sage International produced the chassis for civilians to make clones of the Mk 14.
One of the civilian versions is created by Smith Enterprise Inc, known as the MK14 SEI.[19] The Sage EBR chassis stock is available in a carbine variant known as the M14ALCS/CV. The carbine variant is also known as the MK14 SEI Mod 1.[8]
Fulton Armory manufactures a clone of the EBR chassis.[20]
Troy Industries has created a replica of the EBR's modular system made by Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division called the Troy Modular Chassis System (MCS).[21] The MCS can be used by mounting any functioningM1A orM14 rifle on it.[22]
Philippine arms companyFERFRANS has created their version of the Mk 14 Mod 0 called the FERFRANS SOPMOD M14/M1A Enhanced Battle Rifle, which uses a Sage International M14/M1A EBR Tactical Stock System aluminum chassis, an M4 buttstock, and a GRSC M4-62 General Purpose Combat Recticle.[23]
Australia: Used by theSpecial Air Service Regiment in anti-Taliban operations.[24][25] One used by CorporalBen Roberts-Smith in October 2010 to provide sniper cover for his SASR teammates.[9]
Greece: Used bySpecial Forces. Donated by US Army.[26]
Iraq:Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service[27]
Philippines:Philippine National PoliceSpecial Action Force - Crisis Response Group. Built by Ferfrans from existing M14 rifles using Sage International M14/M1A EBR Tactical Stock System aluminum chassis but with an M4 buttstock, delivered in 2008.[28][29]
United States: Used in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan[30]
