05-06-2012, 03:17 AM
HuXXXford Wrote:I've read and heard a lot of talk about the HK M27 IAR being examined as a possible replacement...not for the M4, but the SAW. I'm confused by this. Yes it has some nice features being piston driven with an adjustable gas system, it's proven to be very accurate in full-auto, and it's obviously lighter, but how can it really replace a belt fed?
It can't. HK pulled a fast one over on the Marines, and there is no way a 30rd-mag fed, 45rd-mag fed, or even 60rd-mag fed AUTO Rifle can replace the firepower of a belt-fed. The Ultimax 100 was tested during the IAR trials, and the evaluation reports I read indicated that there was more favor by actual SAW gunners for the Ultimax, which is no surprise. If you observe how the Ultimax handles, using the constant-recoil system, you see real quick why it is superior. The IAR concept is chasing a lighter, more maneuverable Squad Support weapon. They sacrficed firepower to achieve the lightweight and maneuverability. We need both lightweight, and belt-fed firepower. The KAC LMG already provides this, but there is so much politics involved, KAC isn't even interested in trying to push their design, and they're a major contractor for small arms for the US already.
[video=youtube;ev2yJeeyn5A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev2yJeeyn5A[/video]