SA replaces ultimax with colt IAR

[greentips]

Ultimax 100 is out and here comes Colt IAR. I think colt IAR was a dead end after losing to hk 416 in the USMC m27 trail , but I guess not

 

[B]

Ultimax is a dream to shoot, sort of surprising but I don't keep up on this stuff like I used to.

 

[Gunnerlove]

Shooting the Ultimax made me hate the Minimi more.

 

[wai762]

I wonder whether SAF will replace the SAR21 with a AR15/M16 platform. It would make sense to do so to reduce the training requirement.

 

[greentips]

I wonder whether SAF will replace the SAR21 with a AR15/M16 platform. It would make sense to do so to reduce the training requirement.

The writings are on the wall.

 

[owlowl]

Procurement people who never saw action have traded constant recoil, firing from an open bolt 20 inch barrel 11 lbs proper light machine gun for a 16 inch barrel 9.5 lbs M4 in a different furniture.

 

[wai762]

Procurement people who never saw action have traded constant recoil, firing from an open bolt 20 inch barrel 11 lbs proper light machine gun for a 16 inch barrel 9.5 lbs M4 in a different furniture.

To be fair, the SAF has never fought a war, other than a limited counter-guerrilla war in the 50 or 60.
But they are quite smart, in the sense of MBA smart.
I think it is likely they got some sort of license to manufacture deal from Colt, so they might switch over to the M4 platform in the near future to replace the aging SAR21.
As as side note, Singapore did manufactured M16 ( I think it is the A1 pattern ) in the 70 / 80.
I think the Ultimax got drop because it was consider bulky and not suitable for CQB type of fighting.

 

[Karnage]

On a side note, that range was pretty cool.

 

[B]

Aside from the barrel length (easily fixable) I don't see how the Ultimax is bad for CQB, in this class of weapons at least. It's lighter and sleeker than anything I can think of that is comparable. It's hands down the nicest handling LMG I have ever fired. IIRC they are a bit expensive so maybe it comes down to cost, as things often do.

 

[greentips]

On a side note, that range was pretty cool.

Yes, that range is state of the art.

 

[lawn gnome]

Shooting the Ultimax made me hate the Minimi more.

Very true.

 

[owlowl]

Aside from the barrel length (easily fixable) I don't see how the Ultimax is bad for CQB,

Mark 3 has quick change barrels. There are 13 inch para and 10 inch barrels for Ultimax 100

 

[B]

Mark 3 has quick change barrels. There are 13 inch para and 10 inch barrels for Ultimax 100

Good to know, not that I'm likely to be running either at this point in my life but it does reinforce my point.

 

[owlowl]

Good to know, not that I'm likely to be running either at this point in my life but it does reinforce my point.

Crying in Sullivan:

 

[greentips]

https://www.janes.com/osint-insight...gapore-gets-to-grips-with-new-automatic-rifle

IAR is chosen because Ultimax is an open bolt gun. From what I read it looks like they want a close bolt IAR.

Note that unlike Minimi, there is no feed tray cover to keep things out in Ultimax. and this means readying the weapon when action on could be the SOP. This sounds like a lot of fun stuff gonna happen with a big conscript + reserve army in places like Singapore where most people don't want to do their military service in the first place, and lots of one or two day training sessions sonce a year.

And the chatters point to that the SAF uses it as a rifle with automatic option, not so much as an automtic rifle with LMG option.

 

[owlowl]

And the chatter points to that the SAF uses it as a rifle with automatic option, not so much as an automtic rifle with LMG option.

For a select fire infantry rifle IAR is way too heavy. IAR with fixed barrel firing from closed bolt makes way worse LMG than a quick change barrel open bolt Ultimax. Although what procurement wants to write off in what subcontract and shift funding around is another story altogether.