04-13-2014, 06:38 PM
stanc Wrote:...My question is, what company can be convinced to devote resources for design and development of the unique, ultra-lightweight machine gun that LRRPF52 and Michael desire? ...Short answer: Whoever wins the development contract.
Longer answer. Assuming the weapon configuration and embedded technology* are significantly different, DOD would more likely start with a series of concept definition studies with several companies competing to define the weapon. That is generally winnowed down to 2 or 3 Advanced Development or Concept Feasibility contracts, followed by at least two Full-Scale development contracts.
* The elephant in the room is the emerging collection of very smart aiming aids, some of which have already been carried through at least the first few steps of the development sequence.