New Army "Caliber Configuration Study"

[stanc]

The Army Caliber Configuration study seems to be addressing the weight penalties of the larger calibers, and finding lighter weight solutions to them.

The next logical step is replacement calibers for .50 BMG, and possibly 7.62 NATO. 5.56 NATO is one of the strengths in the system, not a weakness.

I know you (and many other knowledgeable individuals) like 5.56 NATO, but the CCS, together with the CLAWS and LDAM programs, seems clearly aimed at a replacement not only for 7.62 NATO, but also the smaller NATO round.

Like it or not, everything I've seen to date indicates a quest to replace 5.56 NATO with a new cartridge that (in conventional form) will necessarily be bigger, heavier, and more powerful.