06-14-2012, 08:43 AM
Trying to replace 5.56 and 7.62 at the same time is probably too much of an adjustment for the entire NATO system to digest, and since there are more 5.56 NATO individual service weapons, therein lies the logistical quagmire. Using the Upgraded SAW and Mk48 platforms as transitional frames for the Grendel upgrade, while developing the DMR system, and replacing M240's with the .338 MMG is what I'm talking about.
7.62 NATO can be used as is needed while the new caliber is ramped up and absorbed into the various units.
They can also start looking at the .338 MMG to replace 7.62 and .50 BMG belt-fed weapons on vehicles & aircraft, since there would be a net weight-savings, with performance increase.
We also don't have to be held to the manner in which things have been done in the past, as so many processes have undergone radical changes in just the last 15 years, regarding military procurement, R&D, solicitations, end-user involvement in designs, and unit purchasing. It has largely been driven by the Special Operations community, which has a can-do attitude and posture, in contrast to the conventional military's "No, that violates this and that stack of regulations, blah blah blah..."
As SOCOM has shifted to the dominant, lead organization, rather than a supporting community for conventional forces, the tides of military planning and logistics have changed significantly. If you look at Desert Storm, SOF units were treated marginally. Those days are gone, and National Command Authority looks heavily on SOF units to bear the main effort of the majority of operations we currently are engaged in, not only in USCENTCOM, but USPACOM, USOUTHCOM, USAFRICOM, and USEUCOM.
As we ramp up in USPACOM to deter China from getting aggressive with Taiwan, the Philippines, friend-up to India, and maintain vigilance against North Korea, the conventional nature of force structure will pull the force back in the direction planners should have covered down on more, and trans-Pacific logistics will be a major issue in hauling material thousands of miles away.
They're re-opening Pubic Bay and Clark AFB in the Philippines, and China is not happy about that move, since some little commie witch state media anchor just declared that "It's an indisputable fact that the Philippines is part of soveriegn China, and always has been."
[video=youtube;KiudNjxTdg4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiudNjxTdg4[/video]
The Grendel LMG & .338 MMG support the lip service we've been hearing about a lighter, leaner, more efficient force for a long time, with actual platforms to execute it.
7.62 NATO can be used as is needed while the new caliber is ramped up and absorbed into the various units.
They can also start looking at the .338 MMG to replace 7.62 and .50 BMG belt-fed weapons on vehicles & aircraft, since there would be a net weight-savings, with performance increase.
We also don't have to be held to the manner in which things have been done in the past, as so many processes have undergone radical changes in just the last 15 years, regarding military procurement, R&D, solicitations, end-user involvement in designs, and unit purchasing. It has largely been driven by the Special Operations community, which has a can-do attitude and posture, in contrast to the conventional military's "No, that violates this and that stack of regulations, blah blah blah..."
As SOCOM has shifted to the dominant, lead organization, rather than a supporting community for conventional forces, the tides of military planning and logistics have changed significantly. If you look at Desert Storm, SOF units were treated marginally. Those days are gone, and National Command Authority looks heavily on SOF units to bear the main effort of the majority of operations we currently are engaged in, not only in USCENTCOM, but USPACOM, USOUTHCOM, USAFRICOM, and USEUCOM.
As we ramp up in USPACOM to deter China from getting aggressive with Taiwan, the Philippines, friend-up to India, and maintain vigilance against North Korea, the conventional nature of force structure will pull the force back in the direction planners should have covered down on more, and trans-Pacific logistics will be a major issue in hauling material thousands of miles away.
They're re-opening Pubic Bay and Clark AFB in the Philippines, and China is not happy about that move, since some little commie witch state media anchor just declared that "It's an indisputable fact that the Philippines is part of soveriegn China, and always has been."
[video=youtube;KiudNjxTdg4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiudNjxTdg4[/video]
The Grendel LMG & .338 MMG support the lip service we've been hearing about a lighter, leaner, more efficient force for a long time, with actual platforms to execute it.