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Weapons System

Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle

Small Arms And Sidearms

The Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle is a designated marksman rifle developed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division for United States special operations forces, first issued in 2002. Chambered for the 5.56x45mm Mk 262 cartridge, it was conceived as a standalone weapons system rather than simply an upper receiver assembly, bridging the gap between the standard M4 carbine and larger sniper rifles. It was used by United States Army Special Forces, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and Marine Corps special tactical teams in the designated marksman role until it was phased out in 2017. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Classification
Caliber
5.56x45mm NATO 1
Service Status
Retired 1
Weapon Class
Designated marksman rifle 1
Introduced Year
2002 2
Weapon Class
Weapon Class (category)
Rifle 1
FAQs

What gap in the special operations arsenal was the Mk 12 meant to fill?

Athlon Outdoors says: "The MK12 SPR was created to fill a gap in the arsenal of special operations between the M4 and full sniper rifles."
Connections

Operated By

United States Army, Armed Forces and Units
Source Wikipedia: Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
United States Marine Corps, Armed Forces and Units
Source Wikipedia: Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
United States Navy, Armed Forces and Units
Source Wikipedia: Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle

Used In

War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), Wars
Source Wikipedia: Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
In the Other Atlases

Manufactured By

Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division

Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.

Sources
1. Wikipedia: Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
  • Infobox: service
    2002-2017
  • Lead section
    The United States Navy Mk 12 MOD 0/1/H Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) is a designated marksman rifle that was in service with United States special operations forces in the designated marksman role until 2017, also designed to be shorter than standard weapons.
  • Infobox: cartridge
    5.56×45mm Mk 262
  • Article text
    The weapon was developed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division for US military special operations units. The rifle is designed to fire semi-automatically, although it has the option to fire in full auto in case of emergencies.
  • Operated By: United States Army, Wikipedia article text
    The Mk 12 Mod 0 was only used by the US Army Special Forces while the Mk 12 Mod 1 was used by the Rangers, US Navy SEALs and Special Tactical Teams.
  • Operated By: United States Marine Corps, Wikipedia article text
    The United States Marine Corps (USMC) also used the Mk 12 Mod 1 towards the end of the war in Iraq and extensively during the war in Afghanistan.
  • Operated By: United States Navy, Wikipedia article text
    The United States Navy Mk 12 MOD 0/1/H Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) is a designated marksman rifle that was in service with United States special operations forces in the designated marksman role until 2017, also designed to be shorter than standard weapons.
  • Used In: War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), Wikipedia article text
    The United States Marine Corps (USMC) also used the Mk 12 Mod 1 towards the end of the war in Iraq and extensively during the war in Afghanistan.
View the Source
2. Wikidata: Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
Wikidata Q1132654, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Athlon Outdoors: MK12 SPR, The History Behind a U.S. Military Sniper System
SOPMOD Legacy
Quote, SOPMOD Legacy
the first MK12 rifles were issued in 2002
View the Source
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