Saying the once-revered M9 Beretta is all but obsolete, the U.S. Army has begun the long and tedious process of identifying, producing and issuing a new standard sidearm for its future soldiers.

The army yesterday held what they call an "industry day" that saw it brief arms manufacturers from around the world on its requirements for a new automatic pistol.

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Media reports said several gun makers will compete for the lucrative contract expected to reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Military analysts said the goal is to develop a handgun far more advanced and more powerful than the 30-year-old Beretta M9 adopted in 1984. The M9 replaced the M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol issued in 1911.

The new weapon will also have to be more accurate, ergonomic, reliable and durable than the M9.

The U.S. Army will replace its M9s through the "Modular Handgun System" (MHS) program. The MHS is anticipated to be the next U.S. military standard sidearm replacing the M9.

The army claims the M9 is at the end of its service life and is wearing out. It said American soldiers have reported problems with the M9 such as an ergonomically poor grip, a heavy trigger pull, poor safety selector placement and an open slide that lets in debris.

The MHS requirement calls for a non-caliber specific weapon with modular features that will permit the adoption of different fire control devices and alternate magazine options, among others.

The new pistol will have targeting devices mounted on Picatinny rails. It will also allow detection avoidance by having a non-reflective neutral color and will fit various hand sizes.

MHS will replace the entire M9 system, including the gun, ammunition, holster and other parts. Due to the poor killing power of the M9's 9 mm cartridge in Iraq and Afghanistan, the MHS program will be an open-caliber competition to evaluate larger rounds like the .357 Sig, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.

The army has traditionally been the lead agent for small arms so that whatever handgun it adopts will also meet the needs of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force.