Requirements for Replacement of Currently Issued 5.56 M-855 and 7.62 M-80.

[JASmith]

Stan,

I think we've discussed this before. Thanks for the reminder!

In favor of your comment is Tony's logic -- Positing the introduction of plastic cases before the major step to caseless, electromotive, or other truly advanced small arms propulsion system. Introducing plastic cases could justify a whole new family of weapons to replace the existing inventory.

The downside is the tremendous sunk cost in existing infantry small arms with cartridges with about 2.25" overall length.

Countervailing arguments like these are part of the reason I favor Gene's approach. I am reasonably sure, however, that the requirements document he asks for does not yet exist or exists in the classified world. I have enough experience in the R&D world to know that a document will magically appear when two conditions are met:

1. A need exists (anecdotal evidence may be sufficient to establish)
   
2. A viable solution is identified
   

The need is all too often not publicized until a solution is identified. There have been attempts to identify needs in advance of solution in the past decade. These gambits have not been particularly successful to my knowledge.

Our role should transform from guessing at a solution to one of defining a solution based on a notional requirements document. This document need not have the full justification a properly staffed item would have, but needs enough to make the bottom line obvious.

The specific requirements, however, need to be well-defined and have rock solid logic behind them where possible.

This should beget a lively debate without even looking at specific cartridges, bullets, etc.