08-22-2014, 02:38 AM
The 416 is not without problems. Same with the SCAR. The SCAR might have a higher MTBF for the operating system, but not the furniture. The 416 is pretty heavy compared to the M4.
The M855A1 is going to cause problems in any gun, since it is over the edge in pressures, especially when ambient temps are higher. The sharp steel noses trash the heck out of the feed ramps too, and you won't see any reports on what it does to SAW's-major problems there.
They are wasting way too much time on something that doesn't need fixing though. If you look at the numbers of casualties we produced with belt-fed 7.62 compared to 5.56 NATO, it would open a lot of people's eyes. SAW's are next on the food chain of killing.
All that is needed for the M4 program is to go with several Block II variants for the JRDF-type units, and issue 14.5" guns to certain duty positions, and 11.5" guns to a lot of others. Integrate some of the electronic aiming and illumination systems with unitized power sources, get the guns streamlined again, discontinue any black components, and go FDE on everything. Purge the 3-round burst mechanisms entirely, and get DMR triggers in the guns for Infantry Squads with those duty positioned blasters, with accurate barrels for the DM's and training for the armorers on how to replace them for an accuracy build.
The real effort needs to be on what the next LMG is going to be, and where we want to go with DM Carbines, especially training, ammunition, and then carbine improvement.
The M855A1 is going to cause problems in any gun, since it is over the edge in pressures, especially when ambient temps are higher. The sharp steel noses trash the heck out of the feed ramps too, and you won't see any reports on what it does to SAW's-major problems there.
They are wasting way too much time on something that doesn't need fixing though. If you look at the numbers of casualties we produced with belt-fed 7.62 compared to 5.56 NATO, it would open a lot of people's eyes. SAW's are next on the food chain of killing.
All that is needed for the M4 program is to go with several Block II variants for the JRDF-type units, and issue 14.5" guns to certain duty positions, and 11.5" guns to a lot of others. Integrate some of the electronic aiming and illumination systems with unitized power sources, get the guns streamlined again, discontinue any black components, and go FDE on everything. Purge the 3-round burst mechanisms entirely, and get DMR triggers in the guns for Infantry Squads with those duty positioned blasters, with accurate barrels for the DM's and training for the armorers on how to replace them for an accuracy build.
The real effort needs to be on what the next LMG is going to be, and where we want to go with DM Carbines, especially training, ammunition, and then carbine improvement.