Listen in as Lt. Col. David Lutz (USMC Retired) shares stories from the Vietnam era through the development of the M16A2, tossing frags, annoying General Mattis, and his time with Knights Armament. Great stories, rich history, and a genuine treat for us all to absorb.
A bit about Dave:
Lt. Col. David A. Lutz retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1991 after 23 years of service. He was Commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in 1969 after Enlisted Service as a MOS 0311 (Rifleman) and also attended MOS training for 0331 (Machine Gunner), 0341 (Mortar Man) and 0351 (Anti-Tank Assault Man). He was assigned as an Infantry Officer (MOS 0302) in 1969 and then sent to Reconnaissance Replacement training. After serving as an Infantry Platoon Leader in Viet-Nam, he attended Ordnance Officer’s Training (MOS 2101) in 1972. For the following 20 years, Lt. Col. Lutz served in a variety of Infantry and Ordnance (Small Arms)
assignments and he graduated from Marine Corps Command and Staff College in 1983. Included in these duties was Lt. Col. Lutz’ assignment to the Joint Small Arms Program (JSSAP) at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey where he spearheaded the development of the US Rifle, M16A2 and its improvements over the US Rifle, M16A1. This included the transition of the standard 5.56x45mm infantry cartridge from the M193 Ball round and its M196 Tracer counterpart; to the heavier M855 Ball round (developed from Belgian SS109) and its long-burn M856 Tracer counterpart, and requisite changes needed to the infantry rifle to accommodate M855/M856 ammunition. Separately, Lt. Col. Lutz completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography (Mary Washington College) in 1996.
At retirement, Lt. Col. Lutz was the Program Manager for Infantry Weapons (PM Infantry Weapons) at Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) located at Quantico, Virginia. In this capacity, Lt. Col. Lutz conducted weapons demonstrations for the US Congress as shown here, along with other duties required by his post.
Subsequently hired by Radian, Inc. (a Washington, DC based Integrated Logistical Support Contractor) July 1991 to Nov. 1994 (on contract to the United States Marine Corps) as Senior Small Arms and Infantry Weapons Analyst, Lt. Col. Lutz completed numerous Studies and comparative analysis of pistols, rifles, rocket launchers, and other significant military equipment. These efforts included the formulation of a 25-year plan for the exploitation of USMC Small Arms R&D investment and technology.
In 1994, Lt. Col. Lutz (Ret.) accepted a position at Knight’s Armament Company (KAC), where he served as Vice President of Military Operations from Nov 1994 until his final retirement in April 2014. In this important role, Lt. Col. Lutz was one of KAC’s key personnel in the successful development and adoption of the US Navy’s Sniper Weapon System (SWS)—the Mk 11, Mod 0 in 2000; which became the US Navy SEAL Team’s official 7.62mm Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle System (NSN: 1005-01-475-7980).
Lt. Col. Lutz’ later activities supported KAC’s response to the Army’s M110-SASS program including System Configuration and Accessory Evaluation and Selection; as well as writing KAC’s Technical Proposal for the US Army. Lt. Col. Lutz’ background and experience in what a complete “sniper weapon system” package should contain is represented by the sample SASS packages KAC delivered to the Army during March, 2006. In this capacity, Lt. Col. Lutz was KAC’s “duty expert” on what the Army’s SASS Solicitation was asking for, and forwarded numerous questions to the Solicitation’s originator; which in-turn generated numerous clarifications, or in some cases complete revisions, of system specifications and requirements. Lt. Col. Lutz’ detailed knowledge of small arms subject matter not only helped KAC address the Army’s needs, but also helped the Army re-evaluate and subsequently re-publish a better statement of their actual needs and requirements.
At present time, Lt. Col. David A. Lutz is enjoying retirement on Florida’s Treasure Coast and pursuing hobbies consistent with his life-long admiration of firearms and resulting professional small arms career.
Recent Comments