Inside Delta Force’s New Tech: The Systems Powering Modern Raids

Delta Force is widely considered one of the most elite special operations units in the world, and its operators rely on some of the most advanced equipment available. While many proven weapons remain in service, they are often upgraded with modern optics, suppressors, and specialized ammunition. At the same time, newer rifles and sniper systems continue to enter use, offering improved accuracy, ergonomics, and materials designed for modern combat environments.

In this feature, History Computer examines some of the newest weapons associated with Delta Force and how advancements in firearms technology support modern special operations missions.

To identify these weapons, we reviewed firearms cataloged by Military Factory, an online database that tracks military vehicles, aircraft, and small arms. The weapons are presented chronologically and include additional details such as weapon type, year introduced, effective range, and caliber or ammunition used.

Here is a look at the newest guns used by the US Delta Force:

Understanding the weapons and small arms used by today's militaries gives some insight into a nation's combat capabilities, or even tactical doctrines. These guns are not just instruments of warfare, but they actually reflect the technological innovation and defense budgets for a given military over the time. By exploring which rifles, sidearms, machine guns, and support weapons are fielded by various armed forces, we can better understand how nations prepare for conflict, defend their interests, and ultimately shape their battlefield effectiveness.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic service pistol
• Year entered service: 1911
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .45 ACP, 7-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Single-action; short recoil-operated
• Maximum effective range: 82 ft.

• Weapon type: Heavy machine gun
• Year entered service: 1921
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .50 BMG, 12.7x99mm NATO, 110-round metallic link belt
• Firing action: automatic short recoil-operated, air-cooled
• Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft.

• Weapon type: Submachine gun
• Year entered service: 1943
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: General Motors / Ithaca Gun Company
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .45 ACP, 9x19mm parabellum, 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Open bolt, blowback
• Maximum effective range: 300 ft.

• Weapon type: Pump-action shotgun
• Year entered service: 1946
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Ithaca Gun Company
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 12- or 20-gauge, 4-round tubular magazine
• Firing action: Pump-action slide repeater
• Maximum effective range: 120 ft.

• Weapon type: Assault rifle
• Year entered service: 1949
• Country of origin: Soviet Union
• Manufacturer: Izhmash / Kalashnikov
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x39mm, 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 985 ft.

• Weapon type: Submachine gun
• Year entered service: 1950
• Country of origin: Israel
• Manufacturer: Israel Military Industries
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum; .45 ACP, 10-, 20-, 40- or 50-round box magazine
• Firing action: Open-bolt; blowback
• Maximum effective range: 400 ft.

• Weapon type: General purpose machine gun
• Year entered service: 1957
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, Disintegrating link belt of various counts
• Firing action: Gas-operated open bolt
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

• Weapon type: Select-fire automatic rifle
• Year entered service: 1958
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .223 Remington, 5.56x45mm NATO, .45 ACP, 20-, 30-, 40-, 90- or 100-round magazines
• Firing action: Rotating bolt, direct impingement system
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

• Weapon type: Battle rifle
• Year entered service: 1959
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Springfield Armory
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt, selective fire
• Maximum effective range: 1,509 ft.

• Weapon type: Rocket-propelled grenade launcher
• Year entered service: 1961
• Country of origin: Soviet Union
• Manufacturer: Bazalt
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40mm, Single-shot
• Firing action: Shoulder-fired; single-shot; reusable launch tube
• Maximum effective range: 984 ft.

• Weapon type: Six-barrel gatling gun
• Year entered service: 1963
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: General Electric
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 4,000-round linked belt
• Firing action: Electrically-driven; belt-fed
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

• Weapon type: Disposable anti-tank rocket launcher
• Year entered service: 1963
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Talley Industries
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 66mm, Single shot disposable tube
• Firing action: Single-shot; disposable tube
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

• Weapon type: Machine pistol / Submachine gun
• Year entered service: 1964
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Carl Walther GmbH
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 32-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Blowback; select-fire
• Maximum effective range: 500 ft.

• Weapon type: Six-barrel gatling gun
• Year entered service: 1965
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: General Electric
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 1,500 to 4,400-round linked belts
• Firing action: Electrically-driven; belt-fed
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

• Weapon type: Assault carbine / submachine gun
• Year entered service: 1966
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm M193, 20- or 30-round detachable box
• Firing action: Semi/full auto; gas-operated; locking bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,320 ft.

• Weapon type: Submachine gun
• Year entered service: 1966
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 15-, 30-, or 40-round detachable box magazine; C-Mag 100-round support
• Firing action: Roller-locked delayed blowback
• Maximum effective range: 660 ft.

• Weapon type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
• Year entered service: 1966
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester, 5-round integral box magazine, 5-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Bolt-action, rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

• Weapon type: 40mm automatic grenade launcher
• Year entered service: 1967
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40x53mm, Belt-fed
• Firing action: Self-powered, air-cooled, belt-fed, blowback-operated
• Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.

• Weapon type: Automatic rifle
• Year entered service: 1969
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: ArmaLite
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 20-, 30- or 40-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt, short-stroke piston
• Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.

• Weapon type: Breech-loading under-barrel grenade launcher
• Year entered service: 1969
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colf Defense; AAI Corporation; Airtronic
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40x46mm grenade, Single-shot
• Firing action: Single-shot
• Maximum effective range: 480 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic pistol
• Year entered service: 1969
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum; .45 ACP; 7.65x22mm parabellum, 7- or 9-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; roller-delayed; double-action
• Maximum effective range: 164 ft.

• Weapon type: Submachine gun
• Year entered service: 1970
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Military Armament Corporation
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, .45ACP; .380 ACP, 30- or 32-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Blowback-operation; full-automatic fire
• Maximum effective range: 164 ft.

• Weapon type: Suppressed submachine gun
• Year entered service: 1974
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Roller-locked delay blowback; select fire
• Maximum effective range: 600 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic pistol
• Year entered service: 1974
• Country of origin: Austria
• Manufacturer: Steyr-Daimler-Puch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 18-round box
• Firing action: Delayed-blowback
• Maximum effective range: 147 ft.

• Weapon type: Pump-action shotgun
• Year entered service: 1975
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: O.S. Mossberg & Sons
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 12-gauge, 6-, 8-, or 9-round tubular magazine
• Firing action: Pump-action slide
• Maximum effective range: 130 ft.

• Weapon type: General purpose machine gun
• Year entered service: 1977
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: FN Manufacturing
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, Disintegrating metal link feed of various counts
• Firing action: Gas-operated; open-bolt; belt-fed; full-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 5,905 ft.

• Weapon type: Assault rifle
• Year entered service: 1978
• Country of origin: Soviet Union
• Manufacturer: Izhmash / Kalashnikov
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.45x39mm, 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

• Weapon type: Anti-tank / anti-material rifle
• Year entered service: 1982
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 12.7x99mm NATO, 10-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; recoil-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.

• Weapon type: Light machine gun
• Year entered service: 1982
• Country of origin: Belgium
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 30-round detachable box magazine; 200-round metal link belt
• Firing action: Gas-operated; selective fire
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

• Weapon type: Assault rifle
• Year entered service: 1983
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Defense
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; semi-automatic; select-fire
• Maximum effective range: 1,969 ft.

• Weapon type: Submachine gun
• Year entered service: 1983
• Country of origin: Soviet Union
• Manufacturer: Izhmash / Kalashnikov
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.45×39.5mm Soviet, 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated
• Maximum effective range: 656 ft.

• Weapon type: Light machine gun
• Year entered service: 1984
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: FN Manufacturing
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO, 30-round detachable box; 200-round metal link belt
• Firing action: Gas-operated; open bolt
• Maximum effective range: 2,600 ft.

• Weapon type: Shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapon
• Year entered service: 1984
• Country of origin: Israel
• Manufacturer: Israeli Military Industries
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 83mm, Single-shot
• Firing action: Disposable shoulder-launched assault weapon
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic handgun
• Year entered service: 1984
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 12-, 13-, 15-, 17-, 18-, or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; short-recoil; double-action
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic pistol
• Year entered service: 1985
• Country of origin: Austria
• Manufacturer: Glock
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 10-, 17-, 19- or 33-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Short-recoil; select-fire
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

• Weapon type: Special forces semi-automatic service pistol
• Year entered service: 1986
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .45 ACP, 7-round box magazine
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; recoil-operated
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

• Weapon type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
• Year entered service: 1986
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Harris Gunworks / McMillan
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, .30-06 Springfield, .300 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum, 3-, 4-, 5- or 10-round magazine
• Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt action
• Maximum effective range: 2,400 ft.

• Weapon type: Light machine gun
• Year entered service: 1986
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 100-round disintegrating link belt
• Firing action: Air-cooled, gas-operated, disintegrating metallic link-belt
• Maximum effective range: 3,600 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic sniper rifle
• Year entered service: 1987
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 5-, 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Roller-delayed blowback; semi-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

• Weapon type: Man-portable disposable anti-armor rocket launcher
• Year entered service: 1987
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Alliant TechSystems
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 84mm, Single-shot
• Firing action: Self-contained recoilless rifle
• Maximum effective range: 985 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic service pistol
• Year entered service: 1988
• Country of origin: Austria
• Manufacturer: Glock
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 15-round detachable box
• Firing action: Short-recoil / double-action
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic service pistol
• Year entered service: 1988
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 13-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; recoil-operated
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic pistol
• Year entered service: 1990
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Beretta
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9x19mm Parabellum, 15-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Semi-automatic, single / double-action pistol
• Maximum effective range: 164 ft.

• Weapon type: Automatic assault rifle
• Year entered service: 1990
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56×45 NATO, 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, semi-automatic, select fire
• Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.

• Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 1990
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Knights Armament
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt; semi-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

• Weapon type: Submachine gun
• Year entered service: 1991
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9x19mm parabellum, 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Roller-locked delay blowback
• Maximum effective range: 656 ft.

• Weapon type: Carbine rifle with special forces modification kit
• Year entered service: 1993
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms / Knights Armament
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.

• Weapon type: Assault carbine
• Year entered service: 1994
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing / Remington Arms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 20- or 30-round detachable box
• Firing action: Gas-operated; semi/full-automatic; locking bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

• Weapon type: Assault rifle
• Year entered service: 1996
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 30-round detachable box; 100-round Beta C-mag dual drum magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 2,853 ft.

• Weapon type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
• Year entered service: 1996
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Raytheon / Lockheed Martin
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 127mm, Single-shot, reusable launcher
• Firing action: Imaging infrared, impact force solid fuel rocket
• Maximum effective range: 8,202 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic combat shotgun
• Year entered service: 1999
• Country of origin: Italy
• Manufacturer: Benelli Armi
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 12-gauge, 7+1 tube magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; semi-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 164 ft.

• Weapon type: Submachine gun
• Year entered service: 2001
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: HK 4.6x30mm, 20-, 30- or 40-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 656 ft.

• Weapon type: Sniper rifle / designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 2002
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,800 ft.

• Weapon type: Light weight machine gun
• Year entered service: 2003
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, Disintegrating Belt Feed
• Firing action: Gas-operated; open bolt; full-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

• Weapon type: Light weight machine gun
• Year entered service: 2003
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, Disintegrating belt
• Firing action: Gas-operated; open bolt; belt-fed
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

• Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 2004
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Smith Enterprises
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt, semi-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.

• Weapon type: Assault rifle
• Year entered service: 2005
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 20- or 30-round detachable STANAG magazine; 100-round Beta C-Mag
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 985 ft.

• Weapon type: Sniper rifle
• Year entered service: 2005
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: McMillan Tactical Products
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum, 5-round magazine
• Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt action
• Maximum effective range: 5,250 ft.

• Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 2006
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

• Weapon type: Six-shot grenade launcher
• Year entered service: 2006
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Milkor
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40x46mm, Six-shot non-removable rotating cylinder
• Firing action: Spring-driven rotating cylinder
• Maximum effective range: 1,315 ft.

• Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 2007
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Knight's Armament
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

• Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 2008
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: USMC Armorers
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 2,550 ft.

• Weapon type: Anti-armor / anti-personnel should-fired rocket launcher
• Year entered service: 2009
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: AirTronic
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40mm, Single-shot; reusable launch tube
• Firing action: Single-shot
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

• Weapon type: Automatic assault rifle
• Year entered service: 2009
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO, 20-(mk 17) or 30-round (mk 16) box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

• Weapon type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
• Year entered service: 2013
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, 7.62x51mm NATO, 5-, 7- or 10-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
• Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.

• Weapon type: Man-portable, shoulder-fired multirole weapon
• Year entered service: 2014
• Country of origin: Sweden
• Manufacturer: Saab Technologies
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 70mm, Single-shot
• Firing action: Trigger-actuated
• Maximum effective range: 1,600 ft.