Army sets sights on XM8, a lighter, more-reliable rifle

Newark Star Ledger ^ | 3/21/2004 | Wayne Woolley

[Incorrigible]

The replacement, called the XM8, is under development at Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County and is being tested at Fort Benning, Ga.

Developers say the rifle with the futuristic-looking curves is a marked improvement over the M-16 because it is shorter, lighter, easier to clean and unlikely to jam in a firefight -- an M-16 shortcoming illustrated in the ambush that wounded former POW Jessica Lynch and killed 11 of her comrades in Iraq.

[Incorrigible]

Pictures can be seen here:

http://world.guns.ru/assault/as61-e.htm

 

XM8 variants, from top: XM8 with XM320 40mm grenade launcher; XM8 Compact / PDW; XM8 Sharpshooter; XM8 Squad Automatic (drawing from H-K USA booklet)

Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 838 mm in basic configuration, butt extended
Barrel length: 318 mm in basic configuration; also 229 mm in Compact and 508 mm in Sharpshooter and SAW versions
Weight: 2.659 kg empty in basic configuration
Rate of fire: ~ 750 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (STANAG) or 100-rounds double drum in Automatic Rifle/SAW role

The development of the XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle was initiated by US Army in the 2002, when contract was issued to the Alliant Techsystems Co of USA to study possibilities of development of kinetic energy part of the XM29 OICW weapon into separate lightweight assault rifle, which could, in the case of success, replace the aging M16A2 rifles and M4A1 carbines in US military service. XM8 is being developed by the Heckler-Koch USA, a subsidiary of famous German Heckler-Koch company. According to the present plans, the XM8 should enter full production circa 2005, if not earlier, several years before the XM29 OICW. The XM8 (M8 after its official adoption) should become a standard next generation US forces assault rifle. It will fire all standard 5.56mm NATO ammunition, and, to further decrease the load on the future infantrymen, a new type of 5.56mm ammunition is now being developed. This new ammunition will have composite cases, with brass bases and polymer walls, which will reduce weight of the complete ammunition, while maintaining compatibility with all 5.56mm NATO weapons. Along with 20% weight reduction in the XM8 (compared to the current issue M4A1 carbine), this will be a welcome move for any infantryman, already overloaded by protective, communications and other battle equipment.

The XM8 will be almost similar to the "KE" (kinetic energy) part of the XM29 OICW system, being different mostly in having a telescoped plastic buttstock of adjustable length, and a detachable carrying handle with the sight rail. 

As of November, 2003, first 30 prototypes of XM8 were delivered to US Army for initial testing, with further 100+ prototypes scheduled to enter tests early in 2004.

Technical description.
The XM8 is a derivative of the Heckler-Koch G36 assault rifle, and thus it is almost similar to that rifle in design and functioning. XM8 features a short piston stroke, gas operated action, with rotating bolt locking. Barrels are quick detachable, and planned to be available in several sizes, ranging from 229 mm (9.5 inch) for Compact/PDW version, 318mm (12.5 inch) in Basic version, and two 508mm (20in) barrels, one for Sharpshooter/Sniper version, and heavier one (along with bipod) for Squad Automatic Rifle role. The entire construction is modular and built around the polymer receiver with bolt group; Magazine housings could be easily swapped for compatibility with various types of magazines; various buttstocks could be installed in a second for various roles (standard buttstock is a telescoped 5 position adjustable one). Top of the receiver is fitted with proprietary sight rail, which can accept illuminated red-dot (collimator) sight, or any other type of sighting equipment. Detachable forend will be available in various sizes, and could be replaced with XM320 40mm grenade launcher (the improved HK AG36).

Ambidextrous fire controls are mounted on the trigger unit, integral with pistol grip and triggerguard, and in basic configuration are planned to deliver single shots and full auto fire. The G36-type ambidextrous charging handle is located at the top of the receiver, below the removable carrying handle.

[bolobaby]

What about the OICWS? What's it going to be - this or that?

[Tailback]

This rifle is very interesting. It's possible (but not likely given H&K's track record) that with the end of the AWB and H&K building a factory in the USA that civilian XM8 versions may become available. What I want to know is what OAL round is the XM8 capable of being chambered in? I know from H&K flyers that it's designed to be easily converted to different calibers, I just don't know what those calibers are except for the 6.8 SPC and 5.56mm Nato.

[Incorrigible]

Adding Bang_list to address your question.

[bolobaby]

Forget it, I didn't read on - this will be the bottom half of the OICWS. My bad.

[reluctantwarrior]

This POS cost 60 million to develop not 5 million. The XM8 is a rework HK G36 and it was stuck onto the OICW POS. That program wasted 60 million dollars and this bait and switch is an attempt to salvage something from 60 million dollars of development costs. The bottom line is that 5.56 fired from the proposed 10.5 inch barrel of this POS is less than lethal at the muzzle due to insufficient muzzle velocity. Please freep mail anyone you know that has contacts on the House and Senate Armed Services Committee and tell them that the XM8 is not a better rifle than the M16/M4 because it fires the same damn bullet that is not sufficiently lethal now.

[Army Air Corps]

I'll take an M-1 Garand any day. That or Thompson...

[reluctantwarrior]

The cyclic rate and the ability to fire fully automatic makes this a poor SMG and a really bad rifle. 5.56mm bullets are meant for varmints and the new 6.8mm SPC is designed to stop a man. This is a step backwards but hell it will be done because the POS looks cool. I'm sick of this crap by HK, they spend money buying ads and congressmen and then sell us crap and we lap it up like the sheep we are.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***about $600. That's about $20 more than an M-16****

In 1966, in Basic training we were told if we break the m-16 we would owe and pay the Government $90.00.

I bought my first AR-15 in 1971 for $190.00.
Talk about inflation!

[Jack Black]

Click on Pic to go to the HK website. Lots of info on it there.

[reluctantwarrior]

10.5 inch barrel equals insufficient muzzle velocity at the muzzle to be lethal, what a great new rifle for killing the Chinese hoards.....stop the madness.

[M-cubed]

Just looked at the pics....My military service back ground makes me want to put rotor blades atop that thing...I just know it would fly!

[finnman69]

[reluctantwarrior]

I dont recognize the weapon?

[Jack Black]

I've heard only good things about the HK-USP pistols, though I don't own one. I have handled them several times and they fit the hand nicely. They also have a very well thought out manual of arms. They also are easily converted to left handed set up, or to DAO, etc.

The P7 is a bit of a cult gun, and loved by many. The VP-70 was the first gun to be built of mostly plastic. So, they seem to make some good weapons and to be innovaters. In you innovate you sometimes screw up I guess, too. Which or their weapons are you talking about? I assume you have not shot this one yet.

[Drammach]

XM8 variants, from top: XM8 with XM320 40mm grenade launcher; XM8 Compact / PDW; XM8 Sharpshooter; XM8 Squad Automatic (drawing from H-K USA booklet)

[Tailback]

While I agree that the OICW program was a joke and a complete waste of money, I don't agree that the XM8 is a step backwards from the M-16 family. The XM8 is specifically designed to be converted to different calibers easily at the unit armorer level. It also has some really nice ergonomic features that make it a slight upgrade from the G-36 while retaining the G-36 reliability. I love the M-16/AR-15, I've been shooting them for nearly 17 years in the military and I compete with one in High Power shooting. I have a Armalite NM in my safe right next to my refinished CMP Garand with Danish VAR barrel. The XM8 to me looks like darn near the only good thing the Army has been able to develop since the M1 Abrams.

I just wish someone could tell me what calibers this thing is capable of being converted to!

[Jack Black]

If you check the web page I linked you will see there is also a 16" and two 20" barrels that can be fit. With the 20" the performance will be identical to the good ole M16.

I am one of those people who always thought the .223 was kinda undersized. I read a recent article in one of the gun mags that went through all of the newer suggested replacement rounds and some of them looked interesting.

If we're going to get a new rifle now would be a good time to get a new cartridge to go with it.

[IGOTMINE]

Another poodle shooter. Just what we need. (not)

[gripper]

decreased barrel length(the 20 inches of the M16A2 down to the 14.5 of the M4)=reduced wounding effectiveness at ranges beyound150-200m.This is because both the M855(SS109)62gr.ball and the old M19355grainersrequire a threshold muzzle velocity(3000 to 3200FPS)to be optimimum(penetration balanced by yaw or fragmentation in soft tyissue).This is whyweve had many failures to stop;theyve invariably been M4s at ranges beyond 150 meters.(Case in point ;fatally wounded "skinny's"in Mogadishu that managed to operate with effectiveness after though and through torso hits).
I'd also prefer that we went back to a 7.62Nato(.308)weapom;although the 6.8Rem SPC and the 6.5 Grendel both show some interesting potential).If one MUST keep the old poodle shooter,they shouldn't hobble the effectiveness by reducing barrel length below 18-20 inches.If this is cramped in a vehicle you'll not be safer having to wait for the bad guys to get closer before you can engage with confidence.CQB,like sh#t,happens,butfire discipline,well trained riflemen(women?)and willingness to close with&destroy the enemy have always been our strengths;stepping down to a .223 /submachinegun sized packages only plays to the other guy's strengths.Properly trained and equipped riflemen using full sized calibers transform "cover"into "concealment".The 5.56 and 5.45 stuff is effective within a closer to mid range envelope but requires other than standard loadings to effectively deal with barrier material beyond the CQB envelope.