Haven’t these guys heard about the Shrike?
Ping
Perhaps some 0300s will comment, but that doesn’t seem like a very robust magazine capacity for a squad weapon.
A friend who recently retired hated the SAW and it’s 5.56 bullets. He said when you need a machine gun, you really need a MACHINE GUN, not a 5.56.
The junior guy in the squad will probably have to hump the extra magazines and reload them.
I’m not real bright but isn’t a belt fed weapon desirable for a squad?
I know we could argue about the caliber all day, but If I needed a round of suppressive fire, I would choose the .308 with a belt, not just another mag fed 5.56. The other guys in the squad could give me that. The SAW was for special occasions that needed a special weapon.
Of course, my oldest grandson told me I wouldn't be satisfied unless the Corps went back to an M1 Garand...I did so enjoy the ping as the clip was ejected...
Maybe they could replace the SAW qith a reliable, proven system, say
RPK (or RPKM) - oh, wait, it has only a 40 rd magazine
OK - how about a RPK-74
Oh, wait, it’s magazine fed as well./
Ok, how about a PK
250 rd belt, oh, wait, too much like an M-60 - called the Hog for a reason.
The Brits L86A1? - 5.56 and - yup - magazine fed.
Well, Oz troopies use the Lithgow F89, Standard Light Pattern. Nope, just the SAW with a different name.
JSDF use the SAW, so no help from them.
The Singaporean army adopted the new squad automatic weapon, known as Ultimax 100, in 1982. Uses a 100 rd drum magazine. Uses 5.56 NATO. So, maybe this one - eh?
New Zealand - nope, they use the SAW
How about the Swiss SIG MG 51? An updated MG-42 the grunt in your squad better be prepared to hump some ammo, they bad boy can shew it up.
Norwegian Army? NOpe, the SAW again.
The Germans will use the H&K MG4 - belt fed 5.56 NATO.
France? NOpe, the SAW once more.
My point? Not a whole lot of choice out there. THe few that are different are , by and large, magazine fed. Maybe we can score some of those Unimat 100 rd magazines....
Here’s a clip of the IAR at the testing ground (the IAR demonstration starts around the 4 minute mark on the video):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVHLvtArC_g
I dunno enough about infantry tactics to say whether it will be an effective replacement for the SAW or not. It kind of reminds me (conceptually) of a throwback to the Browning Automatic Rifle, though admittedly a lot lighter and more compact.
- the SAW is jam prone
- the SAW is unweildy when clearing structures (think Fallujah)
- the SAW makes the gunner visually standout from the squad.
If they are going back to a Mag fed SAW, why not just give the old M1918’s a go. At least you have a solid .30 cal round with them.
Why not a 7.62x39 SAW in regions where there is plenty of supplemental ammo locally? It may not always be ideal, but if your run out 5.56, you’re SOL. Whereas if you capture enemy combatants and/or a cache, you’ve just re-supplied in the field.
This thing is supposed to replace a belt fed weapon and they put the magazine well on the bottom?