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Post by Ferratus-Command on Apr 18, 2009 13:30:05 GMT -5
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Post by theskunk on Apr 18, 2009 13:45:33 GMT -5
me too. that looks sweet. i smell a possible change in Military weaponry
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Post by Koyote on Apr 18, 2009 14:08:40 GMT -5
me too. that looks sweet. i smell a possible change in Military weaponry I highly doubt they get rid of the saw...i'll have to find the article I found on them...
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Post by thesicness on Apr 18, 2009 14:27:54 GMT -5
thatd be awesome
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Post by Reaper-Command on Apr 18, 2009 14:39:06 GMT -5
The LWRC (LWRCI) Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) is a variant of the LWRC SRT, which is in turn, based on the AR platform (specifically the M4 Carbine). It is designed to fulfill the role of the squad automatic weapon. Like the LWRC SRT, the LWRC IAR utilizes a gas-piston design in lieu of the AR's direct impingement design.[1] It was developed for the United States Marine Corps Infantry Automatic Rifle program, which seeks to replace the M249 SAW with a lighter, more reliable and durable 5.56mm weapon.[2]
The weapon fires from a closed bolt in semi-automatic mode, and from an open bolt during full automatic mode which is labeled as "OBA" for Open Bolt Automatic. While in OBA mode, the first round may be fired from a closed bolt (it will then lock back and subsequent shots will be from an open bolt until the operator manually closes the bolt again).
Firing from an open bolt increases cooling and eliminates the potential for accidental discharges due to rounds "cooking off" in an overheated chamber. It also allows for a faster rate of fire. However an open bolt design means that the first round fired will have reduced accuracy when compared to a closed bolt design. This is due to the fact that when the trigger is pulled, the bolt slams forward under spring tension, stripping a round from the feeding device, chambering it, then firing it. This sequence of events shakes the firearm and takes a (possibly crucial) split second longer than a closed bolt design to fire the first round (greater lock time). This also introduces extra potential points of failure in the ignition of the first round.
The IAR's ability to fire from both modes allows the gunner to deploy the weapon in OBA mode with a round chambered on a closed bolt. This allows the gunner to fire his first round as accurately, reliably, and quickly as a rifleman, while following that initial round with Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) level of fire[1]
The plan is to have the USMC buy 4100 IARs to replace 2000 of the Corps' SAWs. This will reduce the number of SAWs in the Marine Corps from 10,000 to 8000. The remaining 8000 M249s will be kept in service, as the M249 will not completely go away in the USMC. The Army has ruled out the option of replacing the SAW with the IAR, because it would result in a loss of fire going from 200 round belts to 30 round mags, and instead is looking into a new belt feed light machine gun such as the MK 46 LMG.
Many of the SAWs in U.S. Army and Marine Corps service have been worn by continuous use and are becoming increasingly unreliable. A refurbishment program intended to extend the service lives of these SAWs has been carried out, though the weapons still are deteriorating from heavy use. In particular, warping of the receiver rails is a nearly ubiquitous defect in heavily used first-generation M249s. This defect is no longer present on the current-issue M249, which has reinforced rails and full-length welding rather than spot welding. The Marine Corps is looking for a lighter rifle to supplement and partially replace the M249 and has accepted test submissions for this infantry automatic rifle (IAR) concept. The Marine Corps plans to buy up to 4,100 IARs to complement and partially replace its 10,000 M249s, of which 8,000 will remain in service for when more firepower is required.
The U.S. Army does not plan to introduce the IAR. Colonel Robert Radcliffe of the U.S. Army Infantry Research and Development Center stated that an automatic rifle with a magazine would lower the effectiveness and firepower of a squad. While the Marine Corps has 13-person squads, the Army organizes its soldiers into squads of nine and needs considerably more firepower from the squad machine gunners to make up the difference. The U.S. Army does, however, want to replace aging M249s with newer SAWs.
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Post by Reaper-Command on Apr 18, 2009 14:45:26 GMT -5
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Post by Koyote on Apr 18, 2009 15:35:09 GMT -5
I'd think they'd go and replace it with the MK43...I know the navy and cost guard use the M60E4
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