$39 million Army contract awarded for new lightweight weapon tripod (VIDEO)

The new M205 tripod shaves 16 pounds off the legacy model used for the M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun family and Mk19 grenade launcher while bringing more stability.

Announced last week, the almost $39 million hybrid contract between the Army and two firms, Capco of Grand Junction, Colorado and Design West Technologies of Tustin, California, will see the service field increasing numbers of the more modern tripod design.

First field tested in late 2013 with the Army’s 1st Armored Division, the 34-pound M205 is a significant design update for heavy machine gun use when compared to the military’s veteran M3 tripod. Adopted in 1934, the M3 tipped the scales 50-pounds. In addition, the new tripod has an improved traverse and elevation assembly that is easier to use while a redesigned lightweight pintle allows for greater elevation and depression.

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