US Marines fire M110 semi automatic sniper system, M240L machine gun during Ex Bright star

The US Marines with fleet anti-terrorism security team Central Command fired the M110 semi-automatic sniper system. They also fired the M240L machine gun during Ex Bright Star 23 on September 5,23. Bright Star is a multilateral exercise which is being held in the Republic of Egypt.

Ex Bright Star 23 is a series of Biannual combined and joint military exercises led by the United States and Egypt. This time 34 countries are currently participating in this exercise and showcasing their strength and prowess. The participating countries' main aim is to promote security and international peace around the world and countries will share tactics and weaponry with participant countries.

What are these rifles used by the Marine Corps

The M110 semi-automatic sniper system is an American sniper rifle that is chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO round. It is manufactured by Knight’s Armament Company SR-25 and adopted by the US Military following the 2005 US Army Semi-Automatic Sniper Rifle (XM 110 SASR) competition. The M110 was to be replaced by the lighter and more compact M110A1 CSASS, which was developed from the G28, a variant of Heckler and Koch HK417.

However, most M110A1 models fielded have been of the SDMR Variant. In 2021 a newer variant, the M110A2. This was showcased and seen in use in 2022. It is a semi-automatic sniper system and is intended to replace the M24 Sniper weapon system used by snipers, spotters, designated marksmen or squad advance marksmen in the United States Army.

#Marines with Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Central Command fire the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System and the M240L Machine Gun during exercise Bright Star 23, Sept. 5.

Bright Star 23 is a multilateral U.S. Central Command exercise held with the Arab Republic of Egypt. pic.twitter.com/JKDTWtaBJA

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) September 9, 2023

It is manufactured by Knight’s Armament Company in Titusville, Florida. The complete system incorporates a Leupold 3.5-10x variable power daytime optic, Harris swivel bipod AN/PVS 26 or AN/PVS -10 night sight and PAL’S Magazine pouches of yet unpublished origin. The rifle has ambidextrous features such as a double-sized magazine release, safety selector switch and bolt catch.
The rifle is similar to SR-25/MK11 Mod 0 but differs significantly in buttstock and rail system design. The Sr-25, MK11 Mod 11 and M110 are based loosely on the original AR10 developed by Eugene Stoner but feature additional refinements instituted by KAC to maximize parts commonality with the AR-15 design, improve weapon reliability and increase accuracy. The main difference between Mk11 and M110 are improvements suggested by a user Group meeting between NAVSPECWAR, USASOC, and USA in 2007.
The rail system used: The KAC free-floated RAS on the MK 11 is replaced by a URX modular rail system with an integral folding front 600-meter backup iron sight. The M110 buttstock fixed through the buttplate is adjustable for length of pull to match user preferences. Its mass is 6.27 Kg unloaded M110 and 4.76 KG unloaded M110A2, the length of the barrel is 508mm, it is a gas-operated rotating bolt and has a semi-automatic rate of fire.

The muzzle velocity of the rifle is 783 m/s with 175 gr. M118LR. Its effective range is 800 metres and has a 10 or 20-pound detachable SR25 pattern box magazine.

The M240B weight reduction programme, which reduced the weight of the previous M240B by 5.5 lb (2.5 kg), produced the M240L (M240 Lima), originally the M240E6. The M240L uses titanium construction and innovative manufacturing techniques to fabricate key components, resulting in an 18% weight reduction. The ensuing enhancements made it easier to handle and move the weapon while reducing the soldier's battle load. In the U.S. Army, the M240L might take the place of the M240B.