[USS Alaska]

It certainly does not appear that the DoD is terminating Colt’s current contract early or anything like that, so I am not sure what ‘on the outs’ is supposed to mean.

It's the lefty definition of competition.

If you are "in" there is no competition, just a long string of contracts.

If you are out {heaven forbid} you will have to compete, both via product and price.

The military, should end up with a better weapon at a lower price.

[Durus]

Name a better weapon than the AR/m-16 plaform.