New Army "Caliber Configuration Study"

[stanc]

Thought this might be of interest to the group:

Now with CLAWS and LDAM everything has changed again. For a long time, the US Army was obtuse in its refusal to consider alternate calibers. The increasing re-adoption of 7.62mm and the serious issues with 5.56mm M855A1 EPR have changed that. ARDEC seems to be of the view that 5.56mm has reached its maximum development potential. This is good news.

NATO seems to be on a critical path to replacing its small arms between 2020 and 2025, so I am not expecting any decision on a new caliber within the next 2-3 years. That said, the work done by the US Army Marksmanship Unit at Fort Benning to develop custom ammunition types in 6.5mm and 6.8mm independently validates what Tony, ARDEC and every other caliber study over the last 100 years has recommended: If you want lead free ammo, 6.8mm is right way to go. If you want lead ammo, then 6.5mm will suffice. Both rounds comfortably exceed 7.62mm NATO range and retained energy performance figures when fired from guns with same length barrels. Interestingly, US AMU stipulates that you need a case with a capacity of 40 grains of water to propel a 7g or 8g projectile so that it outperforms 7.62mm to 1,000 metres.

Having seen test results, a 7g or 8g bullet in 6.5mm or 6.8mm can do everything a 7.62mm bullet can do, but shoots flatter, further, and faster with less wind drift and less recoil. The improvement in hit probability versus 7.62mm is astonishing. Such a round could easily be fielded in rifles and machine guns at squad level and would be a better solution than both 5.56mm and 7.62mm. There is no doubt in my mind about this. Forget the the weight argument (even though a 6.8 x 45 mm cartridge would only weigh 17-18 g) this is all about shooting effectiveness.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/m...sg=5074.20