Sgt. The fire control is expected to field six months ahead of the weapon, Potts said. The M-4 carbine and M-249 squad automatic weapon have long histories with the Army. The Army is pursuing a dual-track improve/replace strategy for the M4 carbine. During the annual Maneuver Warfighter Conference at Fort Benning in Georgia, Maj. Wyatt Ottmar, project officer over NGSW for the Soldier Lethality CFT, laid out some of the recent developments and next steps for the weapons system. Bids were solicited via the Internet with six received. GOP pushes FBI to reclassify 2017 shooting of lawmakers as domestic terrorism. Initial issues with ammunition and maintenance have long since been sorted out. MilitaryTimes has listed the contenders for the M4 replacement. Todd South has written about crime, courts, government and the military for multiple publications since 2004 and was named a 2014 Pulitzer finalist for a co-written project on witness intimidation. Jack Keane not long ago was quoted not long ago voicing frustration at how long it's taking to find a next-generation replacement for the M16/M4. The M4 was chosen as a replacement for the M16 so a general could get a job with the company producing the M4. This competition was for the Army only—the United States Marine Corps and other branches chose to stay with current weapons in service. Yes, this actually is the brand-new 2021 BMW M4, and yes, it really does have the same massive kidney grille as the regular 4 Series. The CAR-15 family of weapons served through the Vietnam War. Sign up for the Early Bird Brief, the defense industry's most comprehensive news and information, straight to your inbox. The prototypes from General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc., Textron Systems, and Sig Sauer are vying to replace both 5.56mm weapon systems in infantry and close-combat units. This effort includes plans for a new infantry rifle to take the place of the M4, or NGSW-R, and an automatic rifle replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), known … The other services are watching closely. It’s a very balanced rifle. Colt will provide the countries with up to 10,000 additional M4 and … By giving us your email, you are opting in to the Early Bird Brief. Gen. David Hodne, Infantry School commandant and Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team director, along with Brig. | Actionable Intelligence, The future of tactical resupply and a sustainable RAF | Defense News Weekly Full Episode, 5.8.21. The Army’s modernization strategy considers the Next Generation Squad Weapons program as one of its top priorities. The U.S. Army will buy new automatic infantry weapons starting in 2022, replacing the existing M4 carbine and M249 squad automatic weapon. A contract is expected to be awarded to one of the three companies this coming fiscal year with fielding to start in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022, or sometime between August and October 2022, to Infantry, Stryker and Armor Brigade Combat Teams. The weapons will be able to shoot through body armor even at a distance, he said. A bullpup weapon places the weapon’s internal mechanism behind the trigger, allowing for a more compact layout. “Our engineers have worked in concert to optimize the system, ensuring that every component is synchronized and our soldiers are equipped for the demands of the modern battlefield,” he said. Ultimately, the weapon will be fielded to all close combat forces, including special operations forces, infantry, combat engineers and scouts. FYI, the M4 lasted less than 1,700 rounds on average before a stoppage. The Next Generation Squad Weapon is expected to begin fielding within two years. Liz Cheney: Donald Trump is 'danger to our system' The three previously selected offerings came from Sig Sauer, Textron Systems and General Dynamics Ordnance. It is unclear whether the enemy will wait until the new rifle is ready. Ottmar noted that Sig Sauer provided a combined steel lower and brass upper ammunition cartridge to reduce weight. The Individual Carbine was a competition to select the planned successor to the M4 carbine in the United States Army. General Dynamics-OTS, which is working with True Velocity and Beretta, this week showed off … Olympic-sized battle looms over transgender athletes at Tokyo games, Liz Cheney: Donald Trump is 'danger to our system', Whitmer seeks to shut down pipeline despite warnings of price spikes, shortages, GOP pushes FBI to reclassify 2017 shooting of lawmakers as domestic terrorism, Click Although several countries, including the United Kingdom, have adopted the design, the U.S. military has never found much use for it. Sig Sauer’s submission is based on the lightweight rifle they produce now that is used by military forces around the world, combined with what they called the “added firepower” of the 6.8 mm round. Vice Adm. Jeff Trussler describes Information Warfare Cells the U.S. Navy is testing this year. Kevin Sims, senior director of business development at General Dynamics, told Military.com that he had early concerns about whether U.S. troops would accept a bullpup-design weapon. List of possible M4 replacements. For over a half century, the M16 assault rifle—and later the more compact M4 carbine—have served as the primary service rifles for both the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The first replacement is The submission by Textron Systems is noteworthy because of its unique ammunition. However, these rifles had design issues, as "the barrel length was halved" to 10 inches, which "upset the ballistics", reducing its range and accuracy and leading "to considerable muzzle flash and blast, so that a large flash suppressor had to be fitted". The contract notice does mention what weapon or weapons the ICSR would replace or provide any other information on a proposed basis of issue. Following the September testing, the companies will have six months until their next prototype test, scheduled to begin in February. here for reprint permission. Will RAF beat the UK's carbon neutral goal? “But I think that has been sort of eliminated with a lot of user feedback that we have received,” Mr. Sims said. Breaking up Big Tech hard to do, but it should happen. The Washington Times Gen. Anthony Potts, head of Program Executive Office Soldier, gave updates to Army Times ahead of the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition. The M4 Carbine is a 5.56×45mm NATO, air-cooled, gas-operated, direct impingement, magazine-fed, select fire carbine.It has a 14.5 in (370 mm) barrel and a telescoping stock.It is essentially a lighter and shorter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle.. Click - “The issue runs deeper, though, with respect to a peer or near-peer threat.”. The gun that will replace both the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and the M16/M4 rifle/carbine weapons — and add a new, widely distributed caliber to the U.S. military inventory for the first time in decades — is less than two years away. The rifle and automatic rifles offered by each vendor for the Army’s consideration are largely identical, other than adaptations such as a bipod and heavier barrel. The Army also will adopt a more powerful 6.8 mm round for the new weapon rather than the 5.56 mm round it has been using for decades. 1. Concurrently, the Army in April has also selected two companies, L3 Technologies and Vortex Optics, to compete for the fire control for the weapons system. The top pretender for the M4 replacement, NGSW-R Carbine is a hell of a rifle. The M4 Carbine is a shorter and lighter version of the Colt M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.The rifle has selective fire options, including semi-automatic and three-round burst (like the M16A2), while the M4A1 has a “full auto” option along with a three-round burst. General Dynamics OT&S was one of three companies selected to compete for the US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons program which will replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and M4 Carbine in close combat formations with an Automatic Rifle and Carbine firing a new 6.8mm cartridge with desired performance similar to a 270 Win Short Mag.. Their solution has been under … The new caliber also gives the soldier both a rifle and automatic rifle firing the same round, both effective past the 600m mark of existing light calibers. As the largest branch of the military, the Army is likely to influence the purchasing decisions of the other services. That will allow the NGSW producer to better integrate the optic with the weapon. Compared with its main international rival, the equally storied Russian AK-47, the M-4 has long been considered a more accurate but more prickly firearm, an “excellent weapon if you can maintain it,” as one defense publication once put it. Quiz: Are you smarter than an 8th grader? Whitmer seeks to shut down pipeline despite warnings of price spikes, shortages The proposal was passed before the Joint Requirements Oversight … “We have assembled a team that understands and can deliver on the rigorous requirements for this U.S. Army program with mature and capable technology, reliable program execution and dedicated user support,” said Wayne Prender, Textron Systems’ senior vice president for applied technologies and advanced programs. The 5 candidates that might have replaced the M4. Brig. The next era in weaponry is coming fast. Company officials said it provides a 35% reduction in weight over conventional brass ammunition while preserving the greater stopping power. “These weapons systems will give soldiers significant capability improvements in accuracy, range, signature management and lethality,” Army officials said. TOP STORIES The Army is looking to replace the M-4 carbine and M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon now used by front-line combat troops in favor of firepower better suited for the Pentagon’s top mission of countering “near peer” adversaries such as China and Russia. “The current weapon systems we have are OK in the fight,” in Iraq and Afghanistan, now retired Army Lt. Gen. Paul Ostrowski told a congressional hearing in 2019. here for reprint permission, Verdict on congressional baseball shooting fuels Republicans’ distrust of the FBI, Liz Cheney poised to lose Republican leadership position. Funding and work location will be determined with each order. Americans eager for ‘revenge travel’ battered by speed bumps. BAMBERG, Germany — The Army is searching for a replacement for its M4 carbine, one of its primary weapons in Afghanistan. The 6.8 mm rounds provided by the Maryland-based company for the competition were designed with the projectile completely enclosed within a polymer cartridge. Todd is a Marine veteran of the Iraq War. https://www.defensenews.com © 2021 Sightline Media Group, Only 1 in 4 soldiers likely to see Army’s newest rifle in coming years. Lou Whiteman (TMFeldoubleu) Oct 20, 2019 at 9:08AM Author … What are your thoughts on the M4? The NGSW-R is the planned replacement for the M4/M4A1 Carbine and the NGSW-AR is the planned replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) in the Automatic Rifleman Role in the Close Combat Force. "Nevertheless, … Money Minute — When is the best time to get a personal loan? The M4 replacement competition that isn’t. US Army floats the option of fielding high-altitude balloons, 3 questions with the US Army’s Synthetic Training Environment lead, The Pentagon is building a school to teach the force how to defeat drones, How a Pacific missile test site is keeping up with challenging tests in a pandemic, 6 questions with the US Army’s enterprise IT boss. General Dynamics teamed up with legendary firearms manufacturer Beretta for its unique bullpup-style rifle submission, which offers the greatest change from the current models. This month the U.S. Army picked three finalists to replace its legacy M4 carbine and M249 squad automatic weapons. Click to Read More New Army M4, M249 Replacement Contenders Make a Splash. Mr. Cohen said he was proud that each component of their submission was manufactured at the company’s facilities in New Hampshire and Arkansas and is “entirely American made.”. “People aren’t worried about it. “We are honored to support America’s soldiers with the next-generation capabilities they need.”. Monday, January 18, 2021, ‘I’m disgusted’: Mom targets liberal DA after son’s horrific killing. For the time being, soldiers will have to wait until the Army can develop and field an M4 replacement. M4 develops and sources RV Replacement LEDs that have been chosen specific to the application of RV interior lighting. The M4 replacement barrel will be combined with other weapon components to form a single modification work order kit to convert fielded M4 carbines to M4A1 carbines. Replacing the M16: Five lethal candidates. Momentum builds to change military rules on harassment in the ranks, ‘All-hands-on-deck’: Cyberattack on major pipeline threatens to drive fuel prices higher, Pocket rockets: reliable .380 pistols for concealed carry, New submarine threat: Top U.S. general says China pursuing Atlantic naval base, Sen. 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DISCLAIMER(S) We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us … Kevin Wallace With the May 13, 2011 release of the latest pre-solicitation announcement, the U.S. Army is continuing forward on its stated dual track approach to enhance the current inventory of 5.56mm M4/M4A1 carbines while also exploring a potential replacement weapon. Back in April, each of the companies provided 15 rifles, 15 automatic rifles and 180,000 cartridges using the government-developed 6.8mm projectile. (Well, they're a little different, but I'll get to that.) The Army’s SAW and M4 replacement is headed to troops by 2022 U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. The M16/M4 has advanced steadily since its introduction in the 60s. “What these weapon systems are designed to do is be able to reach out to greater ranges and have the penetrating power necessary in order to beat [the enemy] at those ranges,” Gen. Ostrowski said. Each of the weapons has starkly different designs, but notably each will be chambered for the new 6.8mm round, which was developed to be more lethal than the currently used 5.56mm NATO ammunition. It’s not front-heavy.”. According to the solicitation, the duration for each prototype OTA is estimated to be up to eight years. The Next Generation Squad Weapon finished its first prototype test event in September. Quiz: US Citizenship Test - Could You Pass? Sig Sauer’s design looks much like a conventional assault rifle while GD is using a bullpup design, which shortens the length by building the magazine feed into the weapon stock. The GI’s best friend and first line of defense is getting its first overhaul in a generation. Estimated completion date is Feb. 27, 2018. Although the 6.8 mm round called for in the testing is expected to have increased velocity and greater penetration, Army officials said they don’t want it to weigh any more than the 5.56 mm round now in use. 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