An authorized request by Rep. Michael Arcuri to fund $5.4 million in weapon upgrades through Remington Arms has cleared a United States House of Representatives committee.
According to a press release issued by Arcuri, the authorization would upgrade the United States Army’s 3,000 M-24 sniper weapon systems. The authorization is included in the Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House Armed Services Committee last week.
According to the release, the full house is expected to consider and approve the act later this week. The upgrade will also require approval by the House Appropriations Committee, which could occur in the coming months.
Arcuri said securing the funding authorization is a vital and necessary first step in the federal budget process.
“The brave men and women who sacrifices so much to protect our country deserve the best equipment on the ground and I know the superior craftsmanship and quality at Remington Arms is second-to-none,” said Arcuri. “Upgrading the M-24 sniper rifles manufactured at Remington Arms will protect our troops around the world and protect jobs at Remington.”
The announcement comes on the heels of U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mark Brown and Arcuri touring the Ilion plant on May 9. Brown is responsible for the design, development, procurement and sustainability of nearly everything U.S. soldiers wear or carry in the field.
Remington Vice President for Firearms Manufacturing Joe Gross said although he thinks the general’s visit helped, he cautioned this authorization is only one of many steps.
He said Remington still has several steps to go through before a contract is awarded, such as going through other committees and the Senate and doesn’t expect anything to happen in 2008.
“We do appreciate the congressman’s help though,” said Gross.
As an example, Gross said there are several things the company could do to improve the rifles, such as retrofitting certain components, improving calibers and putting on new optics packages.
“It’s all (the Army’s) call, but there are several things we could do,” added Gross.
Arcuri said in the release the upgrades to the sniper rifle would only benefit the local economy and soldiers across the globe, but also taxpayers across the country because Remington’s proposal to upgrade the M-24 would save the federal government nearly $6 million.
If Remington is awarded the contract, it is estimated that 500 employees in Ilion would work on the upgrade.