05-07-2012, 11:17 PM
Grendel carbines themselves would be lighter slightly, due to bore diameter. It's the ammo I'm talking about.
The choices are:
a. Keep the 5.56 NATO, which is optimized for 0-400m from mag-fed carbines, AND adopting a high performance belt-fed LMG/cartridge system that increases the LMG penetration capability in the close fight, while extending the effective range of the Squad-level gunners further for point target and distance penetration. The new DMR or SASS could also be chambered in the LMG cartridge as well, but they would have different packaging and loads, with an accurate match load for the precision guns. The new TO&E includes a DMR in the B Fire Team, so that is 3 out of 9 guys who can provide longer-range fire, which is plenty for a unit that small.
b. Going with a universal caliber: This will hinder maneuverability, shot recovery for Joe tentpeg, reduce marksmanship qualification scores and proficiency-especially in CQM, and reduce combat endurance of the Infantry Squad, Platoon, & Company...assuming soldiers will pull the trigger as soldiers do under combat conditions. Even if Joe Tentpeg had an 800m capable weapon, he would need considerable training on compensating for wind to make a hit under those conditions, and that's with a perfect elevation figure already plugged into the optic. It basically solves a problem that doesn't exist.
The choices are:
a. Keep the 5.56 NATO, which is optimized for 0-400m from mag-fed carbines, AND adopting a high performance belt-fed LMG/cartridge system that increases the LMG penetration capability in the close fight, while extending the effective range of the Squad-level gunners further for point target and distance penetration. The new DMR or SASS could also be chambered in the LMG cartridge as well, but they would have different packaging and loads, with an accurate match load for the precision guns. The new TO&E includes a DMR in the B Fire Team, so that is 3 out of 9 guys who can provide longer-range fire, which is plenty for a unit that small.
b. Going with a universal caliber: This will hinder maneuverability, shot recovery for Joe tentpeg, reduce marksmanship qualification scores and proficiency-especially in CQM, and reduce combat endurance of the Infantry Squad, Platoon, & Company...assuming soldiers will pull the trigger as soldiers do under combat conditions. Even if Joe Tentpeg had an 800m capable weapon, he would need considerable training on compensating for wind to make a hit under those conditions, and that's with a perfect elevation figure already plugged into the optic. It basically solves a problem that doesn't exist.