Level III body armor is appearing all over the world. It is pretty inexpensive these days. Its been seen in Afghanistan, Sudan, etc. That is what has driven the energy-at-range component of the NGSW program. Again, it is open to debate on whether the particular goals they have chosen are the best ones.
7.62x54mmR weapons like the SVD and PK machineguns technically outrange their 7.62x51 rivals. The US has also been shortening the barrels on various weapons, which makes that difference greater. This NDIA presentation goes into detail on the "range gap" of various weapon systems and proposes solutions (largely 6.5mm, BTW) https://ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloud...Schatz.pdf
Here is another article that makes the argument that longer-ranged weapons, in this case using a GPC (General Purpose Cartridge) for use in both rifles and machineguns should be adopted. https://quarryhs.co.uk/TNG2.pdf
This article notes that many attacks against US forces are beyond the effective range of 5.56x45 weapons: "An American Rifleman article from Feb 2011 stated "U.S. Army data....reveals that more than half of the warÂ’s small arms engagements are now beyond 500 meters, with the enemy employing heavier weapons and then withdrawing before air support or artillery fire can arrive"." I should note that he recommends a cartridge similar the the Grendel, but slightly more powerful.
BTW: When researching this answer, I came across a photo of a Textron 6.5mm EPR cased-telescoped round in the GPC article. Apparently, my previous comment on it ONLY being developed for lead-cored bullets was incorrect.
7.62x54mmR weapons like the SVD and PK machineguns technically outrange their 7.62x51 rivals. The US has also been shortening the barrels on various weapons, which makes that difference greater. This NDIA presentation goes into detail on the "range gap" of various weapon systems and proposes solutions (largely 6.5mm, BTW) https://ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloud...Schatz.pdf
Here is another article that makes the argument that longer-ranged weapons, in this case using a GPC (General Purpose Cartridge) for use in both rifles and machineguns should be adopted. https://quarryhs.co.uk/TNG2.pdf
This article notes that many attacks against US forces are beyond the effective range of 5.56x45 weapons: "An American Rifleman article from Feb 2011 stated "U.S. Army data....reveals that more than half of the warÂ’s small arms engagements are now beyond 500 meters, with the enemy employing heavier weapons and then withdrawing before air support or artillery fire can arrive"." I should note that he recommends a cartridge similar the the Grendel, but slightly more powerful.
BTW: When researching this answer, I came across a photo of a Textron 6.5mm EPR cased-telescoped round in the GPC article. Apparently, my previous comment on it ONLY being developed for lead-cored bullets was incorrect.