New US Army Rifle

[CINDERS]

a chamber pressure of 80,000 psi and a muzzle velocity of over 3,000 fps out of a 13 inch barrel

If thats the case then if the US forces adopt the round that had better get a shite load of replacement barrels, I own a 6.5 x 284 running 140gn Bergers at around 2850fps and @60,000 psi chamber pressure my throats are usually shot out around the 6-700 round count with the muzzle not much better usually results in a 2" lop off at the chamber and 1" at the muzzle.
3000fps and 80,000psi heck after 1 sortie with a minigun you'll be in for 6 new barrels!

[fjruple]

If thats the case then if the US forces adopt the round that had better get a shite load of replacement barrels, I own a 6.5 x 284 running 140gn Bergers at around 2850fps and @60,000 psi chamber pressure my throats are usually shot out around the 6-700 round count with the muzzle not much better usually results in a 2" lop off at the chamber and 1" at the muzzle.
3000fps and 80,000psi heck after 1 sortie with a minigun you'll be in for 6 new barrels!

Cinders--

I unfortunately do not know what material SIG Sauer is planning to use for the barrels but it must be pretty tough to standard up to the projected pressures and speed. I am thinking probably something like a Stellite liner and such. We will see how quietly the XM5 and XM250 disappears if the performance is not there.

[Flying10uk]

What if the UK decides to adopt the new ammunition but not the rifle? How easy will it be for the UK to get it's SA80's converted? One can envisage the UK taking this sort of approach to "save money" and then end up spending twice as much than it would have done if it had purchased the new rifle straight away.

[browningautorifle]

One can envisage the UK taking this sort of approach to "save money" and then end up spending twice as much than it would have done if it had purchased the new rifle straight away.

It's not just them, that's how it ends up. New material on an old coat until no old material remains. Then scrap and buy new.

[mrclark303]

What if the UK decides to adopt the new ammunition but not the rifle? How easy will it be for the UK to get it's SA80's converted? One can envisage the UK taking this sort of approach to "save money" and then end up spending twice as much than it would have done if it had purchased the new rifle straight away.

Morning F10, it's basically not possible, pressure issues aside, it's the same length as 7.62mm i.e 51mm, so beyond the physical dimensions of the magazine well.

The only route would be to wait and see what HK Colt etc come up with, my guess would be a derivative of the AR10, beefed up to take the considerable additional pressure.

The UK is currently playing a waiting game, with the A3 rebuild of the L85 and limited issue of the Colt Canada C3.

You can guarantee that now 6.8x 51mm has been selected, all the main manufacturers are scrambling to come up with their own designs.

[fjruple]

I don't think very many of the current military rifles can be converted to the 6.8x51mm cartridge. First the cartridge is the about the size of the 7.62mm NATO round, which makes any 5.56mm NATO size rifle out of the question. Second if a 7.62mm NATO type rifle is used its design will have to take the pressures of 6.8x51mm cartridge.

[old tanker]

The Army appears to be headed for a two-tier system for the near future, at least, according to an article in the Army Times.

"The weapon is designed and aimed at close combat forces. That includes infantrymen but also cavalry scouts, combat engineers, forward observers and combat medics, said Brig. Gen. Larry Q. Burris, Jr. director of the Cross-Functional Team-Soldier Lethality and Infantry School Commandant...There are no current plans to issue the NGSW to non-close combat soldiers. Soldiers in fields other than those listed or not assigned to a direct combat unit will continue to use the M4 options and the M249 SAW, Burris said."

REMFs and Fobbits will continue to carry the M4. Supply sergeants will be saddled with the burden of three types of ammo? Will belt fed guns on vehicles remain 7.62x51? Will belt fed guns disappear from the squad/platoon level?

[CINDERS]

I thought the doctrine of old as with the 5.56 round it was for controllable fire by the weapons user more accurate fire and less being belted around from say dumping a 20 round mag from a M-14 in 308.
With regards to the 6.5 there will be a substantial bang probably not as much recoil as a 308 but being able to control the POA under high cyclic rates of fire whether full auto or semi will need to be seen I know my 6.5 makes a hefty report and thats with a 30" barrel a 13" barrel well you wont want to be close together!
Reminds me of the Germans in WWII with the Kurtz round looking for an alternate round for the troops so accurate fire in a semi auto can be applied.

[GeeRam]

REMFs and Fobbits will continue to carry the M4. Supply sergeants will be saddled with the burden of three types of ammo? Will belt fed guns on vehicles remain 7.62x51? Will belt fed guns disappear from the squad/platoon level?

Five types if you include 9mm ammo for pistols as well as .50 cal....and maybe six if including .338 for sniper use?

Beats even WW2 which had four with .45ACP, .30 cal carbine, 30-06 and .50 cal.

[mrclark303]

I thought the doctrine of old as with the 5.56 round it was for controllable fire by the weapons user more accurate fire and less being belted around from say dumping a 20 round mag from a M-14 in 308.
With regards to the 6.5 there will be a substantial bang probably not as much recoil as a 308 but being able to control the POA under high cyclic rates of fire whether full auto or semi will need to be seen I know my 6.5 makes a hefty report and thats with a 30" barrel a 13" barrel well you wont want to be close together!
Reminds me of the Germans in WWII with the Kurtz round looking for an alternate round for the troops so accurate fire in a semi auto can be applied.

Hi Ron, the plan is for the MX5 to be permanently fitted with a moderator, to reduce recoil and blast, that 13" barrel without would produce a three foot flame I should think!