MARCORSYSCOM responded this morning to a query about the HDO contract award. Indeed the Leupold Mark 8 CQBSS will be used on the M2 and the Mark. According to 1st Lt. Jamie Larson, USMC Public Affairs:
"The Heavy Day Optic (HDO) will be used with M2 Heavy Machine Guns and MK19 Grenade Machine Guns."
"A Ballistic Extended Rail Mount (BERM) that provides MIL-STD 1913 rail space will be used to attach the Heavy Day Optic (HDO) to the weapons. The BERM will also have MIL-STD 1913 rail space for the use of other sights, lasers and other equipment."
"The HDO is being fielded in response to an urgent requirement from Marine units in Afghanistan and, as such, the quantities procured and to be fielded will support combat operations. There are magnified day optics already associated with the M16A4/M4, the M249 and the M240B; the Rifle Combat Optic (RCO), the Squad Day Optic (SDO) and the Machinegun Day Optic (MDO), respectively. "
