Third Generation Battle Rifle

[Trooper]

I won't entertain any ideas here for making a Grendel 3rd Generation Service Rifle (Really a carbine), at least for the US, since it doesn't make a lot of sense logistically right now.

I also don't think the case needs lengthening because if you start with a new weapon system, you can make the action and magazines/feed tray system fit a longer OAL for the cartridge, where the projectiles are seated longer, providing an additional 2+ grs of powder, and you don't need an AR10 action to do that. It does take you away from an AR15 action length by a few tenths of an inch, which isn't enough to make a difference for the few soldiers who can actually exploit the capability, since they can benefit from the existing Grendel as it is in current status.

This puts me back on my broken record track of the need for a new LMG, which would really provide a noticeable set of capabilities for the Infantry Rifle Squad and Platoon, especially if it demonstrated an acceptable set of performance parameters that could deal with the PKM for reach and penetration, with significantly less weight and recoil for the gunner.

The biggest advantage to staying within the parameters of the M16/M4 design is that, initially, we could use the current rifles with only a barrel (or upper) change.

The IR would be a carbine, of course. We no longer expect the average soldier to be a long range marksman. That job is reserved to a few within the platoon. Plus CQB mandates shorter barrels or a bullpup.