XM-8: New U.S. Service Rifle?

Modern Firearms and Ammunition website ^ | unknown | Unknown

[Long Cut]

Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: no data
Barrel length: no data
Weight: 2.67 kg empty
Rate of fire: no data
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (STANAG)

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. According to the present plans, the XM8 should enter full production circa 2005, if not earlier, several years before the XM-29 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 quite similar to the "KE" (kinetic energy) part of the XM-29 OICW system, being different mostly in having a telescoped plastic buttstock of adjustable length, and a detachable carrying handle with the Picatinny rail.

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. The key differences are the NATO-standard magazine housing that will accept M16-type magazines, the set of Picatinny rails on the forend, telescoped buttstock of adjustable length and a different scope, mounted on the Picatinny rail, built into the detachable carrying handle.

[joesnuffy]

You know its gotta have UN and NATO compatibility leaving out the possibility of more powerfull cartridge at least of the 30 cal variety
New tooling new magazines new cartridge replace all the gear and parts...
I would rather see a piston version of the AR using heavier bullets...
and in the rifle platoon give half the troops heavier rifles..best bet imo would be the FN-FAL
platform
Keep the carbine length ARs for Radio Operators Medics Officers and real eschelon troops
Oh yeah and while we are at it... a high cap 10mm handgun would be nice to

[hattend]

I Want One.

BTTT

[KneelBeforeZod]

whatever we do we need to get the stupid recoil spring out of the stock...

[John Will]

We all do

[Orangedog]

It'll sunset unless it becomes an issue in the election, which it will if we have some crazed shooting massacre just before it.

If it is renewed, regardless of how many massacres there may or may not be, the Republicans can kiss the House goodbye. Tom Delay had better keep the troops in line.

[Lunatic Fringe]

being different mostly in having a telescoped plastic buttstock

Huh-huh-huh-huhuhuh-huh-huh-huh!

[ericthecurdog]

No one has addressed the 'kinetic energy' technology mention in the article. If that's what I think it is (some type of post detonation acceleration of the bullet) all of the discussions about .223 being an inadequate round go out of the window.

Can someone expound on this for me?

[AAABEST]

It's light for sure. I'm wondering if something so light is going to be able to handle the heat and punishment of full auto (if they're even thinking about making any such) with high power ammo. MP-5s et al use mostly pistol ammo.

Also less solid weapons tend to affect accuracy and worsen recoil. Not that recoil is a major issue when we're talking 5.56 anyway.

Just throwing some stuff out there.

[Long Cut]

Robinson Arms has a similar product, based on their M-96 rifle...

...the RAV-02.

[SGCOS]

Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt

ok, what in the hell does THAT mean?

[Long Cut]

Expect, however, a MAJOR push for renewal by the VPC, HCI, and Congressional Dims like BOxer, Fienswine, and The Swimmer and Scummer for not only renewal, but EXPANSION!

That way, if the lose the expansion, but still get renewal, they AND the Pubbies claim victory.

[L,TOWM]

Me likey! Where can I get one? (I need a 762x39 chambered weapon; that would complete my family of standard military chambered rounds; and that would look nice next to my Mini-14 and FAL.

[Squantos]

That wait a minute vine catcher (flash supressor) on the front has to go.... bird cage versus old three prong snag on everything in the bush. The weaver rail is fine but the handle is something that I personally never liked . ect ect .....wheres the bayonet lug ?....selector lever is on wrong side for good ergonomics (IMO). Barrel looks too thin (again) to break ammo crate steel bands........from the pic alone thats all I will judge.

I'd like to see a scadnium/titanium reciever to reduce weight and compensate the normal weight with ammo, weapons sights, grenade launcher ect ect.

Stay Safe

[Sam Cree]

"Not that recoil is a major issue when we're talking 5.56 anyway."

Yeah, but it might be with .308.

[Long Cut]

I'm sure the supressor will change. As for the selector, if it's the standard HK type, it's ambidextrous. The Bayonet lug will probably be added later, and be as it is on the HK-36. As for opening ammo crates with the barrel, well...I like heavy barrels, too, but then I'm not going to have to hump the thing over long distances.

[Shooter 2.5]

As long as it's still a 5.56, it makes sense to keep it in the lightest package possible.

Personally, I'm loving the idea our weapons are finally getting optics.

[Long Cut]

"goodbye mp5!"

I like the UMP-45 myself...there's nothing quite like a .45 ACP subgun...

[yarddog]

I agree the .243 would be a killing round.

I also wonder if the old 6mm Lee Navy round could be resurrected. With modern powder and rifles it would be really deadly. It had a reputation for accuracy too.

The only downside is the .243 would be only marginally lighter than a 7.62 since they use the same case.

I believe the perfect battle rifle cartridge was developen around 1894, the 6.5X55, which was chambered in the Norwegian Krag and Swedish Mausers.

[Pharmboy]

I would imagine it was developed here; I live 2 miles from the arsenal.

Picatinny Arsenal
Units
Armament Research, Development & Engineering Center
Official Homepage
Picatinny Arsenal

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Picatinny Arsenal Picatinny is the site of ARDEC (Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center). ARDEC falls under the major command of AMC (Army Materiel Command) and TACOM (Tank Automotive and Armaments Command). ARDEC's mission is to conduct or mange research, development and engineering for all assigned weapon systems. Currently, its primary mission is research, development, and pilot-plant production of explosives and propellants for the Army. Picatinny Arsenal covers 6,491 acres in Morris County. Picatinny Arsenal is located in the NY/NJ Metropolitan Region approximately 45 miles West of New York City. The arsenal has been in operation for over 100 years, and it was a major source of ammunition in wartime.

On 06 September 1880, the War Department issued Special Order No. 189 which established the "Dover Powder Depot" in Rockaway Township, New Jersey to store gunpowder needed to manufacture ammunition. Four days later, the post was renamed the "Picatinny Powder Depot". It was built on land that had been the site of Mt. Hope Ironworks, including John Jacob Faesch's Middle Forge, that provided munitions for Washington's troops during the Revolutionary War. With his advanced knowledge of European technology, Swiss ironmaster John Jacob Faesch introduced many improvements to Morris County's iron industry. He also directed the iron manufacturing operations that provided the Continental Army with ammunition and ordnance during the Revolution.

In 1907, the installation became Picatinny Arsenal, home of the Army's first smokeless powder factory. After World War I, the arsenal added research and development of large caliber munitions to its mission. At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, When World War II started, Picatinny Arsenal was the only plant in the United States capable of making ammunition larger than that for small arms. During the war more than 8,000 people were trained at Picatinny in specialized techniques of munitions and mass production. At the peak of WWII activities, the Arsenal employed in excess of 18,000 people on a three-shift per day, seven day a week basis. In the years from Korea to Vietnam, the prime arsenal mission was to develop and improve large caliber conventional and nuclear munitions. Through the early 1970s, explosives, propellants, and ammunition were manufactured at the installation. By 1977, manufacturing was replaced by the research and development of weapons and small caliber munitions. It was designated the United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) in 1986 and joined TACOM in 1994.

Picatinny Arsenal, like most Army installations, is continuously developing ways to tackle the challenges of downsizing and still provide today's soldiers, sailors, and airmen with the finest armament and munitions in the world. Restructuring initiatives have resulted in increased efficiency and substantial cost savings. The arsenal is committed to sustaining the highest possible quality of life for its workforce while continuing to perform basic research, concept evaluation, advanced development, and full-scale engineering support for production, fielding, and eventual demilitarization. Population served: 3,700 soldiers, civilian employees, dependents, and retirees. Size: 6,400 acres and 4,000,000 square feet of building space.

Picatinny Arsenal is located in Morris County (39 municipalities). Morris County, a 479 square mile county settled in 1685, is steeped in the past. Many place names - Hopatcong, Rockaway, Whippany, Pequannock, Succasunna and more - come from the Lenni Lenape Indians. And many of its roads and highways follow the old Indian trails. At the end of 1992, American Demographics magazine ranked Morris County as the most all-around affluent county in the nation. It was the only county to show up on all nine gauges of wealth used in the study, which was based on 1990 Census. According to the 1990 Census, as well, Morris County's population was 421,361 households. A Census report released in mid-April 1993, listed median family income as $62,749, giving Morris the second ranking in typical family income among the 3,141 counties in the nation. Household Income: $0-14,999: 7.6%; $15,000-24,999: 7.5%; $25,000-34,999: 10.6%; $35,000-49,999: 16.7%; $50,000-74,999: 25.3%; $75,000 plus: 32.2%.

Picatinny Arsenal is located in north-central New Jersey. The Arsenal is rectangular in shape, approximately 8.5 miles long by 1.5 males wide. It is situated in an elongated northeast-southwest trending valley bounded by Green Pond Mountain on the west, Green Pond and Copperas Mountains near the northwestern border, and an unnamed ridge to the southeast. The topography is lowlands in the south and east rising to 1,388 foot elevation in the hills of north-west; lakes, hills, forests in the south and west. Mixture of city, surburban, country environment with population, industry and major office buildings centered in the east and central portion. Green Pond and Copperas Mountains are characteristically rugged, rocky, and steeply sloped with a maximum altitude of 1,200 feet. The southeastern ridge is not as rugged or steeply sloped and has a maximum altitude of 1,100 feet . The valley is drained to the southwest primarily by Green Pond Brook. It has two man made lakes--Lake Denmark and Picatinny Lake.

Precipitation (mean annual) Rainfall 45.9 inches; Snow 35.1 inches. Temperatures monthly average July 83 degrees - January 23 degrees. Chief industrial products include pharamaceuticals; electricial machinery and equipment; chemicals; scientific and controlling insturments; stome; rubber and plastic products; printing; publishing; and fabricated metal products.