M4 Improvement/M4 Replacement

With the May 13, 2011 release of the latest pre-solicitation announcement, the U.S. Army is continuing forward on its stated dual track approach to enhance the current inventory of 5.56mm M4/M4A1 carbines while also exploring a potential replacement weapon.
The latest announcement, part of the enhancement/Product Improvement Program (PIP) pathway, calls for an “Improved Forward Rail Assembly Kit for the M4/M4A1 Carbine.”