M-16 Technical Data Package anyone ?

Question

I am seeking for the M16 Technical Data Package that was once available in the '60s when Government was seeking for alternative source of M16A1.

If anyone got one, pm me, I am interested !

Answer 1

The current technical data package is owned by Colt, not the government, so if you want a copy you have to purchase a license from Colt.

edit: From David Crane of Defense Review and Jim Battaglini, EVP and COO of Colt Defense:

Colt Defense actually owns the techincal data package on the M4 carbine, M4A1 carbine and M16 series of rifles.  These TDPs contain proprietary information, trade secrets and other intellectual property that is owned soley by Colt Defense. Only Colt and FN Manufacturing, LLC can use Colt's TDPs to manufacture the M4, M4A1, and M16 respectively.  Since 1988, FN Manufacturing, a U.S. division of FN Herstal, has won a number of U.S. government contracts to manufacture the M16 rifle. FN uses the Colt TDP under license and this license only applies to the production of M16A3 and M16A4 rifles for U.S. government contracts.  The licensing agreement is between Colt and the U.S. government, and it permits the governement to competitively procure the M16 rifle from FN.

In 1997, the DoD Office of the Inspector General conducted an audit of the procurement of the M4 and M4A1 carbine and it their report (Report No. 97-165) discussed the "improper release" of the Colt TDP by the Army and Navy.  The Army improperly released a copy of the TDP to the Navy for their own internal use, but the Navy then released it to 21 different contractors in violation of the licensing agreement with Colt. The Navy however did follow procedures outlined in the agreement to remedy the improper disclosure.

In short, if someone does have a copy of any M16 Technical Data Package, they need to have a license from Colt.