Armt looking to replace the M4 and 5.56mm as the standard infantry weapon.

atilliar · Post by **atilliar** » Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:29 pm

http://www.popularmechanics.com/militar ... placement/

It's that time of the year when we see the Army yet again waist money looking for a new weapon they will never adopt.

I hate to be cynical about this but we have seen soooo many programs to replace the M16/M4 before that they have become a joke. As far as I can tell the only difference now is they are looking to go back to the 7.62mm NATO cartridge for the ridiculous stated reason to defeat a body armor that 7.62mm will fail against.... They are betting on a cartridge that has not been finalized yet to fill the gaps... but it is also stated the thing that gives the new 7.62 cartridge the ability to defeat Russia's armor, can also be applied to the 5.56mm cartridge.

I may not have all my facts straight here, so if anyone can fill in some gaps or correct me that would be awesome.

Thoughts?

John A. · Post by **John A.** » Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:47 pm

I've heard talk of keeping the M4, but adopting a 26'ish caliber bullet that is middle way between 22 and 30 caliber.

atilliar · Post by **atilliar** » Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:54 pm

I've heard similar stuff regarding a new intermediate cartridge, but nothing official. This seems to be an official replacement program soliciting gun manufacturers for weapons. The Army is a bit ADD when it comes to this stuff, but there hasn't been an official bid solicitation for what you're talking about as far as I know.

atilliar · Post by **atilliar** » Tue Aug 08, 2017 1:59 pm

Here is a related link:
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity ... 4699e50692

Seems to be the actual proposal.

poikilotrm · Post by **poikilotrm** » Tue Aug 08, 2017 6:30 pm

There have been rumors of adopting the 6.8mmSPC, the .300BLK, and now the 6.5mmPatriot. Anything is possible, I suppose. There has been talk of ditching the M4, and going with the battle proven SCAR or SR25 in 7.62x51mm.

Who knows?

I am still shocked that they ditched the M9.

I went to see that movie Valerian on Sunday. It was horrible. It was set in AD 2500 or so, and they were still running M4 and AR10 varients. It think that may be an accurate portrayal of the future, to an extent. They won't be ditching the M4 for another 10 years, at least.

T-Rex · Post by **T-Rex** » Wed Aug 09, 2017 6:00 pm

What militants are we fighting that are actively using Lvl III+ armor? If they have access to this armor, who's to say they don't have heavier plates, for when/if we change tactics?

poikilotrm · Post by **poikilotrm** » Thu Aug 10, 2017 6:51 pm

T-Rex wrote:What militants are we fighting that are actively using Lvl III+ armor? If they have access to this armor, who's to say they don't have heavier plates, for when/if we change tactics?

Civil war is on the horizon.

Armt looking to replace the M4 and 5.56mm as the standard infantry weapon.

Armt looking to replace the M4 and 5.56mm as the standard infantry weapon.

Re: Armt looking to replace the M4 and 5.56mm as the standard infantry weapon.

Re: Armt looking to replace the M4 and 5.56mm as the standard infantry weapon.

Re: Armt looking to replace the M4 and 5.56mm as the standard infantry weapon.

Re: Armt looking to replace the M4 and 5.56mm as the standard infantry weapon.

Re: Armt looking to replace the M4 and 5.56mm as the standard infantry weapon.

Re: Armt looking to replace the M4 and 5.56mm as the standard infantry weapon.