[marktwain]

The round and rifle are moving toward "every rifleman a sniper" model.

The rifles are supposed to include optics with laser rangefinder, wind evaluator, and sound suppressor.

Combined with exceptional ballistics (140 grain .270 bullet starting at about 3,000 ft per second), this should mean consistent hits on man-sized targets to 1200 yards or so, without a lifetime of shooting experience.

A soldier will still need to be a rifleman, but the emphasis seems to be on aimed fire rather than suppressive fire.

[throwthebumsout]

An initial delivery order contract worth $20.4 million has been awarded.

This is just a "test drive" of, maybe, 5,000 rifles. Sounds like the army has not fully committed yet.

Also, Winchester receive an award of $20 Million to produce the new 6.8mm ammunition for the rifle.