U.S. Marines operating in close combat formations will start receiving sound suppressors for their assault rifles and carbines starting in 2021, Task & Purpose has learned.
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U.S. Marine Sgt. Francisco J. Sillas, a machine gunner with Marine Rotational Force Europe 17.1, conducts a speed reload drill in Israel, March 21, 2017. His carbine is fitted with a sound suppressor (Picture source: U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Sarah N. Petrock)

Marine Corps Systems Command announced its intent to award a single-source contract to Knight's Armament Company for 5.56 small arms suppressors for use on the Corps' arsenal of M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles, M4 carbines, and M4A1 Close Quarter Battle Weapons, as reported by Military.com..

In an email to Task & Purpose, MARCORSYSCOM confirmed that the Corps plans on fielding those suppressors to close combat units starting in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. "Our intent is to posture our Marines with capability now in order to improve the lethality of our Marine Corps Close Combat Forces," MARCORSYSCOM spokesman Many Pacheco said.

While the Corps has fielded suppressors to reconnaissance units and employed them on the M27-based M38 Squad Designated Marksmanship Rifle in the past, the proliferation of suppressors among close combat units has been years in the making.

MARCORSYSCOM did not specify exactly how many suppressors the Corps plans on acquiring as part of its latest sole-source contract, but "The intent is to suppress every M4, M4A1 and M27 in the infantry community," MARCORSYSCOM program manager for infantry weapons Lt. Col. Tim Hough said in 2019.