LRRPF52 Wrote:Many units have been using the Mk.48 7.62 NATO LMG in place of the SAW, which is obviously a different caliber than everyone else's M4's.Yup. However, it's one thing to field a non-5.56mm LMG when the caliber has long been US/NATO standard, and is in the inventory.
It's something else entirely when it would mean introducing a third rifle/MG cartridge into the system.
The 6mm SAW was rejected in favor of keeping a common caliber for the squad, and IIRC, the US Army's Caliber Configuration Study envisioned a common caliber for carbine, DMR, and SAW.
Is there any evidence which indicates that a third caliber would even be considered for adoption?