It may be a sly way of replacing the M-16 and M-4. The M27 can fire full automatic as opposed to programmed bursts. It would become the standard assault rifle. There may be a replacement for the SAW on the horizon. Hopefully.
MODERN FIREARMS:
[After extensive trials in 2009 USMC finally selected the HK IAR rifle, which, in fact, is no more that heavy-barreled version of their HK 416 automatic carbine (assault rifle), and it hardly looks like adequate replacement for a dedicated squad automatic weapon with belt feed and quick-change barrel. By all accounts, it looks like USMC played the whole IAR trick to get the replacement for their M4 carbines without entering the political hassle and budgetary debates. In May 2010 the USMC representative officially anounced the adoption of the Heckler-Koch IAR as “M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle”. It is not clear when HK will begin delivery of the M27 rifles, and how much rifles will be delivered to USMC. . .]
If that’s the case they are playing politics with the lives of Marines.