The Air Force Is Buying 130,000 Modular Handgun System Pistols

air force modular handgun system ejection test — A test dummy equipped with a new modular handgun system makes impact at the bottom of a vertical deceleration tower inside the 711th Human Performance Wing, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Dec. 6, 2017. The drop is meant to simulate being ejected from an aircraft and tests the safety and durability of the new modular handgun system when exposed to the stresses associated with ejection from an aircraft. This is the first time any service has conducted this type of demonstration to ensure a side arm is safe for aircrew to carry in ejection seat aircraft.

air force modular handgun system attached — U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Samuel Pruett, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center force protection program manager, based at Eglin AFB, Fla., secures weapons on a test dummy prior to a test of the modular handgun system at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Dec. 6, 2017. The test address the new modular handgun system’ capability to resist damage during ejection and still function as designed after sustaining ejection forces. This is the first time any service has conducted this type of demonstration to ensure a side arm is safe for aircrew to carry in ejection seat aircraft.

air force modular handgun system loading — U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Samuel Pruett, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center force protection program manager, based at Eglin AFB, Fla., loads a magazine clip into a handgun for testing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Dec. 2, 2017. The test is meant to demonstrate the safety and durability of the new modular handgun system when exposed to the stresses associated with ejection from an aircraft. This is the first time any service has conducted this type of demonstration to ensure a side arm is safe for aircrew to carry in ejection seat aircraft.

air force modular handgun system cockpit ejection — A test dummy equipped with a new modular handgun system is dropped at a rate of speed on a vertical deceleration tower inside the 711th Human Performance Wing, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Dec. 6, 2017. The drop is meant to simulate being ejected from an aircraft and tests the safety and durability of the new modular handgun system when exposed to the stresses associated with ejection from an aircraft. This is the first time any service has conducted this type of demonstration to ensure a side arm is safe for aircrew to carry in ejection seat aircraft.

air force modular handgun system ammo — U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Samuel Pruett, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center force protection program manager, based at Eglin AFB, Fla., checks an empty shell casing from a weapon for signs of the firing pin striking the primer at the conclusion of a test at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Dec. 6, 2017. The test is meant to demonstrate the safety and durability of the new modular handgun system when exposed to the stresses associated with ejection from an aircraft. This is the first time any service has conducted this type of demonstration to ensure a side arm is safe for aircrew to carry in ejection seat aircraft.

Given how often we report on it, it would probably behoove us to just go ahead and create a separate website devoted exclusively to the Modular Handgun System. Until that happens, however, we’re happy bring you all the news here. In the latest development, the U.S. Air Force has confirmed that it plans on buying 130,000 Army MHS pistols.

Air Force Picks the Modular Handgun System

“We’ve started the procurement process and plan to buy approximately 130,000 weapons,” Air Force spokeswoman Laura McAndrews stated in an email to Military.com.

In addition, McAndrews said the USAF is planning on fielding the compact M18 version of the gun.

“As a joint partner in this endeavor, we determined the M18 MHS, the compact version, will best meet the Air Force mission needs, and selected it as the standard handgun for all Air Force users,” McAndrews wrote, adding that “a single model handgun simplifies procurement, sustainment, and reduces support equipment cost while ensuring commonality with other services.”

Last year, the Air Force tested the MHS at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The test involved attaching the two MHS pistols on either side of a life-size test dummy. The service then strapped the dummy into an ejection seat and simulated a forced cockpit ejection. Check out photos of the test above.

Other Branches

Every military branch has placed an order for the Modular Handgun System. The U.S. Marine Corps’ FY19 budget includes money to buy 35,000 MHS pistols. A sources sought notice posted to FedBizOpps confirmed that the Corps will be going with the compact XM18 gun.

Last week, the U.S. Navy confirmed it would be procuring 60,000 MHS pistols for FY19. Like the Corps, the Navy has opted for the compact M18 pistol.

Tom Taylor, Sig’s chief marketing officer, said the Coast Guard has also ordered the MHS. The Coast Guard has yet to offer a statement on the matter.

In January 2017, Sig Sauer was announced as the winner of the Army’s Modular Handgun System competition. Sig was chosen over other heavy hitters like Glock, FN and Beretta. The $580 million contract calls for Sig to produce the full-size M17 and compact M18 9mm striker-fired pistols over a period of 10 years. The Modular Handgun System is based on Sig’s P320. The gun will replace the Beretta M9.

The Army will reportedly purchase 195,000 MHS pistols. Military.com says most of those guns will be in the full-size XM17 version.

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