10-16-2020, 12:26 PM
Been very heavily involved in testing both the rifle and the machine gun for this. Both systems are extremely light weight and low recoiling using a combination of long/constant recoil and an efficient suppressor. The ammunition has a high energy density which minimizes the contribution to recoil of the propellant mass as well as keeping the size and weight down. It is quite incredible to hold up a belt of 200 rounds and see how light it actually is.
The caliber decision has many facets, not all of which I agree with. Primarily the driver is to defeat the proposed red team target but I feel that they are definitely using the "sledge hammer to crack a nut" approach. This has some basis in minimizing the risk associated with this one part of the program. Regardless it has not increased the carried kills the overall system can offer unless the hit probability can be increased which is doubtful from the side of the projectile and launch tube. Thus the emphasis is on targeting systems to assist the soldier in making the shot.
The caliber decision has many facets, not all of which I agree with. Primarily the driver is to defeat the proposed red team target but I feel that they are definitely using the "sledge hammer to crack a nut" approach. This has some basis in minimizing the risk associated with this one part of the program. Regardless it has not increased the carried kills the overall system can offer unless the hit probability can be increased which is doubtful from the side of the projectile and launch tube. Thus the emphasis is on targeting systems to assist the soldier in making the shot.