A mil-spec A2 flash hider protects the muzzle. The U.S. military uses the Vortex Flash Hider on M4 carbines and M16 rifles. These launchers are designed to replace an AR-15 type rifle's flash hider. It also lacks a bipod, and the flash hider does not support rifle grenades. It features ghost-ring iron sights, flash hider and a picatinny rail for optics mounting. It has an integral flash hider and muzzle brake. The receiver housing was a metal stamped construction including a muzzle flash hider. The heavy barrel is hammer-forged and has a flash hider/muzzle brake unit installed. The foregrip, the wooden furniture and the flash hider were removed for production expediency. The barrel will come with a Vortex Flash hider. The flash hider can be used to mount and launch rifle grenades. The barrel fluting was omitted and the flash hider was changed. G1s were also fitted with a unique removable prong flash hider, adding another external distinction. The weapon is equipped with a flash hider. SIG516 models are equipped with an M16A2 style bird-cage flash hider.