| The XM8 was based on the G36, which was | | | | not stopping enemies (most often from the M4). |
| based on the American AR-18. So yeah, it can be | | | | The Vietnam era 5.56, the 55gr M193 was an |
| considered an American design at its roots. But, | | | | extremely effective round, but its range was |
| we probably will never see it in service. Not in this | | | | mediocre at best (300 meters as opposed to the |
| decade anyway. The SCAR and the XM8 are two | | | | 600 meters of the M855). I really don't know |
| completely different rifles. The XM8 is based on | | | | much about that new round, the 77gr Mk 262 |
| the G36 and the SCAR is an upgraded FNC. | | | | Mod 1, but it apparently is much better than the |
| It's supposed to be a pretty good gun, but it's | | | | M855. And as for the 6.8? Sorry, probably not |
| also competing against upgraded versions of the | | | | happening. |
| M4, which is a familiar system and would be less | | | | If we get a new rifle, but give it the same round |
| expensive to produce, and it is just as reliable as | | | | as the current rifle, absolutely nothing will improve. |
| the FNC. I really haven't heard much about the | | | | The only thing that will happen is MY tax money |
| SCAR other than snippets from magazines here | | | | will be thrown down the drain...again! Fix up what |
| and there and a few obscure WebPages. | | | | we got and get a new 5.56 load. This new round |
| The XM8 apparently was less reliable and more | | | | is a mystery to me too, but what's interesting is |
| fragile than first reported and it did not make any | | | | that the French have developed a new round for |
| major improvements on the AR series of rifles | | | | their FA-MAS rifle. In dimensions, it's exactly |
| that would justify it as a replacement. In truth, all | | | | similar to 5.56mm NATO; however it's a much |
| the XM8 was used for was to try and salvage | | | | hotter round. Maybe the French figured out |
| some careers after about a hundred million dollars | | | | something the rest of NATO haven't come up |
| were wasted on the failed OICW. Why do we | | | | with. |
| need a totally new weapons system? | | | | HK also designed a upgraded M16 fairly recently |
| The AR is good as it is, and with all the | | | | called the HK 416. They are planning on introducing |
| improvements put on it over the last 15 years, | | | | it in the race for the next small arms contract. |
| it's anything but obsolete! And that's just because | | | | But as I remember that program's dead. Colt |
| they hate any rifle that's not based on the AK-47. | | | | sued them to stop the project. We probably |
| The only things that could use improvement with | | | | won't ever see it in action. The only thing the Colt |
| the AR are the gas system (which isn't THAT | | | | legal actions did was to prohibit the use of the |
| bad) and the round it fires. | | | | name M4, thus the new name 416. Check it out |
| The 62gr 5.56 M855 is the problem. It has long | | | | yourself, there is no patent protecting anything |
| range and is effective against body armor, but | | | | but the name. Anyway, I think this is the kind of |
| you all know the horror stories about its | | | | kit the M16 needs to become a new and |
| occasional failure to yew and fragment and thus, | | | | improved weapon. |