07-01-2011, 02:03 PM
stanc Wrote:...I don't understand how plastic-cased 5.56 or 12ga mini-grenades have any relevance. :confused:The relevance is that one absolutely needs to understand the competition.
Tony has discussed and provided enoiugh documentation for plastic cased ammunition enough that we really need to accept that these things will be perfected before LSAT. His argument is that this gives the community a chance to use their availability as a lever to introduce a new caliber. This would be an "interim" solution while LSAT, electric drives, lasers, etc. are brought to fruition.
12 gauge grenades can give an alternative infantry-friendly path for punch at ranges of about a kilometer. The point is that, while currently less credible than plastic-cased 7.62 or 5.56 cases, these guided grenades will be looked at as the mix changes. It has already been done for the OICW in 25 mm -- Barrett is hawking a M107 upper for the cartridge also.
These characteristics are attractive enough that folks will use them to either thwart new cartridge development in spite of immature development or as a bona-fide competitor to our ideas.
In either case, one will need to carry a documented discussion illustrating credibility of technology and showing where it fits in the vision or demonstrating that it is either inappropriate or the vision is superior.