The Baltics and Finland are long overdue for a modern LMG and Assault Rifle/Carbine with modern accessory integration architecture. Estonia is using a bunch of Galils the Israelis dumped on them, along with MG3's in 7.62 NATO. Finland is using the out-of-production Rk95 in 7.62x39, some ancient 7.62x39 mag-fed LMG and PKM's. Latvia and Lithuania have had AKS-74 variants, but the Lithuanian SF really like paratrooper SAW's with modernized kits in A-stan. The region is way overdue for some weapon upgrades for certain, especially when you compare the turn of the century from the late 1800's into the 1900's, and look at the quantum shifts in small arms development generated by Maxim, Browning, and Garand...metallic cartridges had already become dominant in the later 1800's in pistols, and were taking over rifle chamberings. With us at the year 2011, which corresponds to the century-ago 1911, I wonder how we're doing compared to that era. The cased telescoping tech is the biggest thing I think, if it can be successful, especially for dismounts. That would be our era's quantum leap.
This is why the modular weapon system approach is the best avenue to pursue, so operating system and feed can be upgraded as the technology advances. Either way, I think we'll actually see some developments happen in the next two decades, where the AK will be looked at like a Mauser or Mosin Nagant, but still be around of course. The AR will continue to influence designs as far as ergos and modularity are concerned, and accessory integration will be the trend most sought after by developed countries. Who knows if metallic cartridges will be in cutting-edge weapons...
This is why the modular weapon system approach is the best avenue to pursue, so operating system and feed can be upgraded as the technology advances. Either way, I think we'll actually see some developments happen in the next two decades, where the AK will be looked at like a Mauser or Mosin Nagant, but still be around of course. The AR will continue to influence designs as far as ergos and modularity are concerned, and accessory integration will be the trend most sought after by developed countries. Who knows if metallic cartridges will be in cutting-edge weapons...
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