Army Chief Talks Plan for the Service's Next Battle Rifle
- Thread starter Thomas D'Arcy McGee
- Start date
It feels like, of late, the US Military machine has started at least 4 rifle programs, and stopped every single one of them. It is like their left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing, and every general is trying to carve out their own little feifdom.
Not only that. I would say they should stop telling the world everything they are supposedly developing. Not sure about this new wonder weapon but in the big picture does it even matter right now. It appears the US military or western nations biggest problem is Rules of Engagment and doctrines they are following.
6.5 mm sounds cool though. I’m fine with 556 & 7.62 for the next 20 years though.
It is as though someone is just looking for something to do. Their weapon systems are serving them well for the most part. This I think is driven by industry and bureaucrats looking for something they can hang their hats on for promotions/reputation boosts, etc.
overmatch!1!1!!!
This, and why they are engaging. North America is as wealthy in energy resources as the Middle East given extraction technologies. Who cares if Europe freezes?
P0WERWAGON
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- Location
- burnaby BC كافر
what is telescoped ammunition?
it's 2018 and let's talk about a service rifle with telescopic ammo
wait...
no it's 2017 and let's talk about a service rifle with telescopic ammo
wait...
no it's 2016 and last tell about a service rifle with telescopic ammo
wait...
no it's 2015...
wait...
no it's 2017 and let's talk about a service rifle with telescopic ammo
wait...
no it's 2016 and last tell about a service rifle with telescopic ammo
wait...
no it's 2015...
Textron is a sinecure for Army brass. No matter how many times the telescoped case ammo project gets shelved, it will get brought back down off the shelf and re-funded, to make sure that the current brass get to have a nice comfy place to go after they retire from the military. The program has been going on for more than a decade, and never once have they committed to even the remotest hint of a vaguely definite timeline for deliverables. "not too distant future" is as close to being specific about it as they've ever gotten.
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
7x43mm (280 Enfield)
as well as the trials 6.8mm (270 Enfield) which was abandoned in an effort to please the Americans
they also made a 6.25 (.257") round based on the 7x43 case for another series of trials
and the 4.85
but nothing the Americans would adopt as it was no a made in America solution....
as well as the trials 6.8mm (270 Enfield) which was abandoned in an effort to please the Americans
they also made a 6.25 (.257") round based on the 7x43 case for another series of trials
and the 4.85
but nothing the Americans would adopt as it was no a made in America solution....
^^^Yup.
For whatever reason(s), the Yanks just don't like adopting or using weapons from other countries (the Springfield 1903 and Krag-Jorgensen being the exceptions).
Too bad it took them this long to learn that 6.5-7mm is just about ideal in terms of weight and penetration for an infantry rifle/machine gun cartridge.
Sigh.
For whatever reason(s), the Yanks just don't like adopting or using weapons from other countries (the Springfield 1903 and Krag-Jorgensen being the exceptions).
Too bad it took them this long to learn that 6.5-7mm is just about ideal in terms of weight and penetration for an infantry rifle/machine gun cartridge.
Sigh.
Not to poop on your parade, and I agree with you and Woodchopper to a certain extent, but I have to say that you're a wee bit wrong.
The FN Minimi comes to mind. As does:
The Beretta 92
Benelli M4
SIG Pistols (M11, M17)
HK MP 5
HK 416
and if we're counting the Springfield 1903 (Masuer clone) then we could count the M60 Machine gun (MG 42 clone)
Leading change... Check √
Keep in mind that all senior leaders in Western Armies are expected to lead positive change. Just because the military as a whole may have a greater need for (by example only) MANPAD air defense with built in cup holders, or boats that can cruise at at precisely the speed of ∏ to 15 decimal places, the leaders in the Infantry branch still need to examine items that would have a positive benefit on the troops. That doesn't mean a purchase will actually happen, but the media doesn't understand this and writes the story as if the money's already been spent.
Keep in mind that all senior leaders in Western Armies are expected to lead positive change. Just because the military as a whole may have a greater need for (by example only) MANPAD air defense with built in cup holders, or boats that can cruise at at precisely the speed of ∏ to 15 decimal places, the leaders in the Infantry branch still need to examine items that would have a positive benefit on the troops. That doesn't mean a purchase will actually happen, but the media doesn't understand this and writes the story as if the money's already been spent.
Had US Army Ordnance actually succeeded in cloning the MG 42 (they failed due to dimensional errors), they would be far ahead of where they ended up with the M60. The M60 uses a similar belt feed mechanism to the MG 42, but it eliminates two-stage feeding, which is the best thing about that mechanism. That is to say, the MG 42 advances the belt halfway each on the rearward and return stroke of the bolt, instead of doing it all on one stroke. The advantage of this is a much smoother feed of the belt.
The M60 operates more like an FG 42 with belt instead of magazine feeding.
