US infantry weapons?

I know that the M16 is going to be replaced by the XM8 and the M16/M203 combo is being replace by the XM29 but what's replacing the M249 SAW, and the M40?

[edit on 12-7-2004 by pATTONME]

they need to replaace the M-60 too its 20 years old and im not sure what might be replacing the saw249 its good though why replace it like i say if it aint broke well dont bother it

I know it's good but i figured they be updating that because they're basically updating the whole Military with F-22 and all sorts of other things.

nobodies gonna gve their insight?

Originally posted by WestPoint23
they need to replaace the M-60 too its 20 years old and im not sure what might be replacing the saw249 its good though why replace it like i say if it aint broke well dont bother it

M-60 has already been replaced by the M240 series (FN MAG 58), in both Army and the MC, some NG units still have it though.

Originally posted by pATTONME
US infantry weapons?

I know that the M16 is going to be replaced by the XM8 and the M16/M203 combo is being replace by the XM29 but what's replacing the M249 SAW, and the M40?

I hear the SAW is going to be replaced by the SAW/SPR version of the XM-8.
BTW, the M16/203 combo is going to be replaced by the XM-8 with that new H&K GL (can't remember the name of it), and then, in a "few" years it'll probobly be replaced by the XM-29 series.

have a good one.

The military needs to be given P-90 weapon systems.
- 5.62 armor-piercing bullets
- closed chamber and magazine
- recoil equals .33 psi (less than a 9 mil. pistol!)
- weighs about 8 pounds

The M-16 is trash.
We should'be gotten all of our old M-14's back.
My grandfather has one from when he was in Korea. That's a real weapon!
Good to see their in weaponry discussion.
- Tass

I think the U.S. infantry arsenal is perfect right now. M-16A2, M-203, M-249, M-60, M-2, M-9, M-1911, when in the right hands, is all deadly.

Now, if they introduced something like a BlasTech E-11 Assault Rifle, a caseless ammo weapon, or XGM-17 Pulse Rifle in the 600-watt range, that may change my mind...

I hear the SAW is going to be replaced by the SAW/SPR version of the XM-8.
BTW, the M16/203 combo is going to be replaced by the XM-8 with that new H&K GL (can't remember the name of it), and then, in a "few" years it'll probobly be replaced by the XM-29 series.

have a good one.

Do you think that the LMG version of the XM8 would be as good or better then the M249.

Yeah your right the M16/M203 will be relaced by the XM8/XM320 combo.

I have no idea.. I hear that it can only accept 30 and 100rd (drum) magazines, and I don't think that is enough for the MG/LMG role.
Also, the plastic that is covering the barrel will probobly start melting after long periods of firing.

Ive had actual combat expeirience with both the 240b and m-4 carbine and all I have to say is that I felt undergunned with the m4. Ive seen those steel core armor peircing rounds fly through dudes without even looking like any damage was done. One of the guys in my pltn. shot a dog with three 5.56 steel core rounds and the thing was still draging itself. It took a tracer to the head to kill it.

7.62 nato.......now theres a round I felt safe with. Given another place like iraq, i would take my 240 over just about any other weapon.

As far as the 203, I like it but I havn't seen the replacement yet.

The weapon I have the biggest problem with is the M9. I can understand the change from the .45. Its a great round, but modern rounds are so much better. But why the 9? couldnt nato have used the .40? Mabey its time to change the pistol and look at the .357 sig.

What is the US army gonna use for their future sniper rifle?

I don't get the fascination with moving towards all these futuristic looking weapons with all the plastic and extra features, because when you get down to it they are more potential problems, irregardless of all the testing they "claim" to have done. I can understand maybe upping the caliber of something, but why toss on all the crap? I would settle for a M1A over a XM8 any day of the week, and it will probably outperform the XM8 all day long!

How much 7,62x51/54mm rounds can you carry ? 200, 300 ?
What about 5,56x45 ?
Besides, you can't provide enough suppression fire with an M1A, it won't be as accurate anyway.

Originally posted by pATTONME
I know that the M16 is going to be replaced by the XM8 and the M16/M203 combo is being replace by the XM29 but what's replacing the M249 SAW, and the M40?

[edit on 12-7-2004 by pATTONME]

i think this, the OSCW, is what will be replacing the .50 cals (although that wasnt the question asked):


www.fas.org...




[edit on 13-7-2004 by koji_K]

Originally posted by cavscout
7.62 nato.......now theres a round I felt safe with. Given another place like iraq, i would take my 240 over just about any other weapon.

Have you ever had to hump with that thing for 10+ miles (not in the Humvee ) ?

As far as the 203, I like it but I havn't seen the replacement yet.

How effective is it ?
You guys don't have any airburst rounds for it, do you ?

Originally posted by pATTONME
What is the US army gonna use for their future sniper rifle?

I think they are going to stick with M24 and M82 (M107) series for some time, while the XM8 SPR version is going to replace the M14/M1 series in the SPR/DMR role.

Originally posted by koji_K
whats an m40? all i can find is the SP 155mm gun.. not an infantry weapon!

I beleive he meant the M40A1/A3, the USMC sniper rifle.

[edit on 13-7-2004 by kaskad]

[edit on 13-7-2004 by kaskad]

thanks! (i removed the q from my post)

-koji K.

It dosnt matter how many rounds you have if they dont kill the enemy.

If it takes twice as many rounds to drop a man with 5.56, then you only need half as many 7.62 to do the same thing. Not to mention that you can engage enemy twice as far.

If you are mounted (and most are nowadays) you can bring as many rounds to a fight as you can get issued.

nope, never marched with it. Im cavalry. ill leave all that silly walking stuff for the 11b, i always got a ride

I was trained on the M249 in Korea, so I volunteered to lug it around in Iraq. Has anybody tried to clean that thing, much less take it apart? It has a million pieces and the carbon build-up is insane. Add the sand and the TLP, what a mess. I'm not a combat arms guy, just commo, so I'm no weapons expert, but there has got to be a better machine gun. Ever see the way the plastic drum is connected? Jump down from a HUMVEE and your belt is broken. I'm just saying, I used to sleep with a SAW, and I am not impressed.

I never understood why the military went to the .223 from the .308. You need supressing fire, that is what the SAW is for. I think the military is looking at rectifying their mistake by way of the 6.8mm round. Don't know where it is in testing, but supposed to be somewhere around .30-30 performance.