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The United States Navy Mark 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) is an American selective fire military rifle chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. It is a variant of the M14 rifle, built originally for use with units of the United States Naval Special Warfare Command, such as the United States Navy SEALs.
The creation of the Mark 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle began in 2000 after a request by United States Navy SEALs for the creation of a more compact M14 battle rifle. In 2001, Mike Rock Rifle Barrels, Inc. was the only rifle barrel maker asked by United States Special Operations Command to participate in a SOPMOD conference to create what would be the Mark 14 Mod 0 rifle, with details that include a collapsible stock that was requested for the new rifle and with aluminum body with telescopic rails. Mike Rock collaborated with engineer Jim Ribordy to make the new rifle. Tests showed that their rifle was effective, but has excessive noise problems.
United States Navy SEALs were the first forces to be armed with the EBR in 2004, followed by the US Coast Guard. The United States Army is also being armed with the EBR, being created and updated by the Weapons Product Support Integration Directorate of the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command at the Keith L. Ware Test Facility in Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. United States Marine Corps units were also considering the EBR. |
