And they’ll cost 7 figures minimum each with all that titanium, Star Wars sights etc.
Guarantee there will never be nearly enough to go around.
They won’t pull the issued ones from TOE any time soon - they are still using them. I would guess they still have a fair number of them from the downsizing.
Ma Deuce ain’t going away - the original is still one of the best weapon systems ever. That is especially true in asymmetric warfare where you have more weapon systems mounted on more light vehicles.
The real exciting thing in the future for the .50 is the self-stabilizing system where the gunner can stay safely in the vehicle and put rounds on target with more accuracy (and high definition optics). If the new design incorporates a more heat resistant barrel there is no way anyone can say it is not a major improvement. Changing a hot barrel on these is not a bonus under fire.