Posted on 01/31/2005 5:44:05 PM PST by ijcr
The XM8 isn't the US's new assault rifle. It's pretty much dead and not going anywhere.
I still like the FN P90.
Dead? Last I heard that it was going into full use by early 2006.
This looks like a real winner....
The photos of the different versions of the XM-8 have disappeared. Strange.
I always wondered why they didn't make the 243 Winchester the new military round. Since it is a necked down 308 you would have plenty of brass and it is a 6mm so much more lethal then the 5.56.....
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/9345317.htm?1c
There's also the news that H&K is 'teaming up' with General Dynamics on the new rifle: http://www.murdoconline.net/archives/001879.html
H&K is big enough that it doesn't need to team up with anybody. It looks to be more of an arrangement where H&K is doing some manuevering to cut their loses should this thing completely tank.
Oh and this page is interesting too:
http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=636
Interesting, hope they work the kinks out. It's time for a replacement for the M16 legacy.
Vapor
Well the XM8 isn't the platform to do it. Everything they claim it can do the AR/M16 platform can do better. Enough manufacturers have made their own modifications to the platform that can keep it alive and well without the need to completely change over.
This is being produced under license by Heckler und Koch, correct?
Brig. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, "Another benefit to the local economy could come in the next few years to the businesses involved with the fielding of the XM8 rifle. Currently being tested by an “experimental force” of about 150 Soldiers from 29th Infantry Regiment, Freakley said that, despite errant reports, the XM8’s possibilities look promising.
“We just completed a proponent assessment of the XM8 rifle. It was reported that the XM8 rifle was cancelled — that’s not fact,” he said. “The money exists in the XM8 program to continue to experiment with the XM8 rifle.”
During the next year or so, Freakley said, the unit will continue to refine the rifle to “exactly what Soldiers need.” And if all goes well, several brigades in the Army will one day be issued that rifle.
“We’re optimistic about the rifle,” he said, “and the money stands behind the rifle to continue experimental development. And the money could be placed behind it to go ahead and purchase that rifle, which is good news for Columbus and the companies involved in that.”
No it is a H&K design. However, H&K is constructing a 102,000-square-foot plant in Muscogee Technology Park, the XM8 won't necessarily be manufactured in Columbus from the start.
Instead, it appears, the weapon's parts would be made in Germany, shipped to Columbus for assembly, then distributed to the military from a center being relocated here from Virginia.
Fom the Columbus Ledger:-
"Col. Michael Smith, program manager for the XM8 at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, said H&K already has earned $30 million developing and testing the XM8. And he expects the company eventually will land the big prize and begin feeding the military a steady supply of the rifles.
"In the vast majority of cases, that is the same contractor, but it has changed in the past," Smith said.
Asked why the developing company has the edge in winning the production contract, the colonel responded: "He's got it locked. He understands exactly how to build it. No one's ever going to build it better than he can."
I can remember seeing the Stoner being tested on the range at Ft.Bragg. It was a competitor of the Colt AR-15 which became the M-16. At the time I was still using the Type 1 or 2 Garand aka M-1 or M-14 can't remember which now after all that was 1963. I've also fired the M-16, but it can't hold a candle to the 30-'06 or .308 (7.62 NATO) for accuracy at 600 to 1000 yards. Also the .223 Rem is not even legal for deer in most states.
The XM-8 is not dead. I've handled it myself, and, ergonomically, they've improved over the M16/M4 drastically. I've never fired it, unfortunately, but I've talked to several who have, and they love it. It's a very nice weapon, and I'm looking forward to using it (just put an ACOG on it!).
6.8mm works out to .267 in. Is that the land diameter of a .270?
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