I just checked the Army Times and they have a recent article that stated that 600 of the 1800 SCARs that the Army committed to purchasing were deliverd to 1st Bat earlier last month. I thought the Marines had ruled out the SCAR, but I haven't kept up with what those guys are doing and things change on a daily basis at DoD, so it seems.
I hope the Army will buy more SCARs. If the special forces get them which the spacial are always the first to get new toys than maybe the regular army will buy them to replace the 40 year old AR-15 design.
nfloorl:Because Colt makes deals with the DoD so they still get their damn profit. Thats the only reason. The M4 is good but there are better weapons out there. The SCAR is much better. Why they canceled the XM8 is beyond me. The XM8 is much better than the M16 by a long shot.I think they are sticking with the M4 platform for a good while yet. Of the 3, the FN get's my vote. The H&K isn't a bad weapon, but it's virtually a gas pistoned AR. If the US is going to re-equip with a new battle rifle I'd prefer to see them move on to a new/better platform. I don't understand why they cling to Colt like they do. Probably find out the AlGore has a stake in Colt.
The SCAR has one advantage over the regular M4/M16, that is full auto. But the H&K 416 or M468 would be nice.
I have some good news. Colts so called contract is over and the Army now has rights to the M4. Seriously WTF what so they did not have rights before and they were forced to use whatever Colt gave them? Thats bullshit. I could be mistaken though.I think they are sticking with the M4 platform for a good while yet. Of the 3, the FN get's my vote. The H&K isn't a bad weapon, but it's virtually a gas pistoned AR. If the US is going to re-equip with a new battle rifle I'd prefer to see them move on to a new/better platform. I don't understand why they cling to Colt like they do. Probably find out the AlGore has a stake in Colt.
Oh I know about the DoD acquisition mess its absolutely unbelievable and outright pathetic! If they cancel the next carbine replacement I'm going to be so pissed! They need to completely overhaul the way weapons are contracted and bought. Its like they have a bunch of criminals in charge of the procurement system. Some major changes are long over due.
What was the reason given for the XM8 being canned because from all the info i have been able to find on it the reports were good.
It was a great rifle but it was canceled only because of politics. Colt maid some deals with the DoD so they still get contracts despite whether the M4 is the best carbine or not and rule out any other competition. Now that has changed as Colt no longer has rights to be the only carbine manufacturer and other companies can build new rifles and the possibilty of a new rifle for the army can be ready by 2012 assuming politics does not get in the way again.
I hope ether the SCAR-L/H, the H&K 416/417 or the M468(now called the REC7) are chosen to replace the M4 and the M16. I really hope the contract award does not go to the M4 again that would suck.
Very much so but what would suck even more is if they award a contract then a couple years later someone comes up with a revolutionary leap in AR technology and they would have to wait another 40 years... But id like to see a 6.5mm contestant thrown in with the ones we have listed and i couldn't really see them moving away from the 5.56mm
The 5.56mm does a good job at knocking people down and killing them I have no doubt it works and does exactly what it needs to do but the 6.5mm however is better or the 6.8 SPC ether one should replace the 5.56 NATO.
The only way to actually improve the M4 Carbine is to just replace it with the H&K 416 which is a M4 but but has some major upgrades. Check out this video from youtube about the 416. I think its an amazing rifle.