AR15 for NASA: Battle against Aliens?

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, better known as NASA, is in search of lightweight, semi-automatic rifles, as a tender reveals. A budget of 15000 USD is available and the tender is so specific (Armornite Finish on Barrel - Interior and Exterior) that it is already clear which rifles are to be procured. These are rifles from Smith & Wesson, particularly the M&P15 or M&P15X model. After all, Armornite and not Kryptonite. With the price in mind, the quantity here is likely around 16 rifles. The rifles are ultimately intended for the NASA Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Rocket tests are conducted there.

Typically, NASA is secured by various security forces. Emergency Response Teams are also tasked with protecting NASA facilities. Nevertheless, the rifles are likely intended for security forces and not for astronauts. Not to forget, for space there is now the Space Force. And whether AR15 systems are effective against aliens is largely unexplored.

NASA on the internet: www.nasa.gov