04-07-2014, 04:44 AM
Everything seems to be geared towards an improvement or match to current performance for certain duty positions, while making logistics more efficient.
The two heaviest, legacy calibers in that end are:
* 7.62 NATO
* .50 BMG
If they are listening to soldiers, and also looking at over match against existing threats like the 7.62x54R PKM and modern variants, then that narrows down the performance requirements even more for a dismounted, high round count combat load that can supplant and replace 7.62 NATO.
The next question is, how small can you go in bore diameter before losing performance at distance, and still reduce weight, and hopefully recoil?
The two heaviest, legacy calibers in that end are:
* 7.62 NATO
* .50 BMG
If they are listening to soldiers, and also looking at over match against existing threats like the 7.62x54R PKM and modern variants, then that narrows down the performance requirements even more for a dismounted, high round count combat load that can supplant and replace 7.62 NATO.
The next question is, how small can you go in bore diameter before losing performance at distance, and still reduce weight, and hopefully recoil?