Grendel as a Universal Infantry Cartridge

[stanc]

Our focus again should be on replacing 7.62 NATO, which is a major uphill battle due to commonality across vehicle-mounted MG's.

I think that approach has the least chance of success.

Because there is no perceived need to reduce the weight of vehicle-mounted 7.62 MGs or ammo, and considering the cost to refit all of the armored vehicles, helicopters, etc, it undoubtedly means that 7.62 would be kept for those platforms.

To also retain 5.56 for carbines means that any attempt to replace 7.62 for infantry use would require adding a third caliber to the system. As I've noted before, there has been historical opposition to having a 3-caliber system, not only in the US Army, but worldwide.

Taking those facts into consideration, it looks to me like the only feasible way to get an intermediate-caliber LMG is by replacing 5.56 NATO.