SOPMOD
The Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) kit is an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine used by USSOCOM. The kit allows special forces operators to configure their weapons to individual preferences and mission requirements.
The program dates back to September 1989, when the Special Operations Special Technology (SOST) Modular Close Combat Carbine Project was founded. The Material Need Statement (MNS) was signed on May 1992, and by September 1993, the Operational Requirements Document (ORD) for the program was validated. Responsibility for the program was then assigned to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division.
The SOPMOD kit is composed mostly of non-developmental and commercial off-the-shelf (NDI/COTS) accessories packaged together to support four M4A1 carbines.
Accessories
The original SOPMOD Block I kit included four each of the following:
- Knight's Armament Company (KAC) Rail Interface System (RIS) forearm
- KAC's vertical foregrip
- KAC's backup iron sight (BUIS)
- Trijicon's Model TA01NSN 4x32mm Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight (ACOG)
- ECOS-N optical sight (a variant of the Aimpoint CompM2)
- Tactical Ordnance and Equipment Improved combat sling which allows for secure cross body/patrol carry.
- PRI Bracket mount for AN/PVS-14 night vision
Only two each of following were included per kit:
- Insight Technology's AN/PEQ-2 Infrared Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser (ITPIAL)
- Insight Technology's Visible Light Illuminator (VLI)
- Trijicon's Model RX01M4A1 reflex sight
- KAC's quick-detach sound suppressor (QDSS)
Only one of the following was included per kit:
- KAC's quick-attach M203 grenade launcher mount
- Quick-attach sight for use with the M203
- M203 with a 9-inch barrel
- Insight Technology's AN/PEQ-5 visible laser
- AN/PVS-17A mini-night vision sight
- AN/PSQ-18A M203 night sight
- Carrying/storage case for kit accessories
If more of the accessories are needed, it is not uncommon for units to cannibalize the kits of inactive teams. The documentation for the kit does not require a rewrite if improved replacements for any of the current items can be found. As a result, this content list has changed. For instance, on many SOPMOD M4s today, the Crane Sloping Cheekweld Stock has been added. Currently Block II is still under development. A couple of potential additions are the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System and the M320 grenade launcher.Also various EOTech holographic sights are used by many operators.
