New Philadelphia, OH - Manta has been awarded a contract to produce extreme rail protector components for the U.S. Marine Corps' new Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). The "Full Rate Production" announcement by the Marines caps a competition that began in 2005.

The components provided by Manta for the M27 IAR consist of a Vertical Grip Sleeve, featuring a Micro-Pocket that will accept a pressure pad from an optic or laser; thus, eliminating the need of tape, zip ties, velcro or rubber bands, while offering a positive no slip grip. The Micro Pocket Switch Holder houses and protects a pressure pad from heat and external hazards, and also allows easy mounting of a tape switch anywhere on the rail. The contract also includes two Manta Cross Clips to help manage and route wires keeping them protected and snag free. Rounding out the M27IAR kit are two six inch Low Profile Wire Routing Rail Guards, which act as an extremely tactile rail cover, while at the same time allows the Marine to manage wires with the grip. The kit is available to the Marines in both Black and Flat Dark Earth, and National Stock Numbers have been issued for all components in Black and Flat Dark Earth.

"One of the key factors in the contract decision was that the Manta material is impermeable to heat, solvent, oils and any other chemical that may be associated with cleaning small arms," says Frank Michal, President of Manta. "This proprietary material offers the Marine a no slip grip in all conditions. Manta has had independent testing done to conduct one hundred thousand rounds to show the grip panels will not fail and will protect the Marines hand from the heat generated by a high rate of fire for which the IAR was designed.

The newly designed rail guards have stainless steel clips molded into them allowing grip tensions to be adjusted, and the resilient materials will never corrode or wear out."

About Manta Rails:
Manta is a world leader in advanced extreme rail protectors and wire routing accessories. The company's roots come from Advanced Innovation and Manufacturing, Inc. which is revolutionary in advanced polymer materials that manufacture and engineer components for many different industries including aerospace and defense.

For more information on Manta visit them online at www.mantarails.com . For press enquiries or product information contact Josh Sykes, Blue August Public Relations at josh@blueaugust.com.


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Frank Michal Joshua Sykes
President, Manta Blue August Public Relations
frank@mantarails.com _ josh@blueaugust.com