Considerations on the Evolution of War

[cory]

I'll give answering JASmith's question...OK...let’s look at capabilities/specs we want at weapons in the squad. I am keeping these in a capabilities mindset – and in some cases very vague - as not to influence caliber or type of weapon. Some of the specs I have below may not even be possible with current tech…but you asked!

All three weapons must -
Meet or exceeded current MilSpec durability/longevity standards (don’t know what these are)
Be chambered for the same caliber
Use a common magazine that holds a minimum of 25rds, weighs no more than 1lb, and is within +/-3% of the size of current STANAG magazines.
Be compatible with current Mil issue optics/accessories.
...

Carbine/individual weapon
...
Squad automatic weapon
...
DM rifle
...

...For most of your soldiers, 5.56 NATO is going to be more than adequate for their specific duty positions, whether they are trekking the mountains of Central Asia, or chasing down hood rats in North Africa. Once you start looking at the DM's and Company or Battalion Snipers, requirements shift a bit, with accuracy, wind drift and terminal effects at distance being higher prioritizations than the general issue carbines...

2-Caliber System for Snipers?
A 6.5 Grendel + .338 LM weapon mix would be a heaven-send for snipers, but they are still largely dependent on a massive log chain that dumps pallets of 5.56 and 7.62 into AORs, often not including Mk.262 or 7.62 Long Range, no matter how much you request it through your XO and supply guys. That leaves you with M855 and M80 ball, .50 BMG, and a mission to accomplish. The Grendel could very much provide a 2-caliber solution that is currently covered by 4 calibers for snipers, but is the rest of the force going to change because of that? Nope, which is why I talk so much about the 6.5 LMG.

Here are the current US Army Calibers being used by snipers:

* 5.56 NATO
* 7.62 NATO
* .300 Winchester Magnum
* .50 BMG

LRRPF52 I completely agree with your assessment here. However, we know the LMG will never be changed to a cartridge different from the cartridge used in the individual carbine, as Michael has also stated above.

In my dream world....

First off there'd need to be a LMG and Carbine/DMR designed, in conjunction, to take a 6.5 Grendel(x39) stretched to a x45 case. With emphasis on the LMG.
16"-10" LMG
12"-14.5" Carbine
18"-20" DMR

The carbine/DMR design would be based off of the AR platform. They'd be crazy not to with it's modularity and the current industry COTs items to select from.

A 130gr AP load would be developed specifically for the LMG. I'm postulating that a 130gr AP load would be the largest projectile suitable for use in the carbine. A 105gr-115gr AP load would be developed for the carbine. A 115gr-125gr HPBT load would be developed for the DMR. This load would likely be more ideal for the carbine in AOs like 'stan. A 95gr frangible load could be developed for carbine in Gen III Warfare and to stockpiled at the front lines (see South Korea).

A MMG designed around the .338 would replace the M240 and 50 as the vehicle mounted MMG. In turn 300 win mags and .308 Sniper rifles would be converted to the .338. Snipers should be given their choice of the DMR or a shortened to 14.5"-16" version. This would give them the ability to reach out and touch someone with their daily carry rifle and them escalate to the .338 as the mission dictates.

As long as we're talking about a system, I believe we need to be discussing the replacement of the M9 and 9mm round with another pistol directed towards the CQB environment. If the 5.56 NATO is arguably an effective round for CQB out to 300m, then I think we can assume something like the 5.7mm will be effective at <10m in the CQB arena. The 5.7mm intrigues me as it could also be used as SMG round.

The 9mm round should be replaced with a round that's effective in an SMG, And a SMG developed alongside the M9 replacement. When the AO is a dense urban environment that requires constant CQB, the Grunts should be provided with the option of shelving(still issued a carbine but left at the FOB) their carbines for the SMG.

The 5.56 and 7.62 NATO would go away as far as combat troops are concerned. Grunts would be issued a sidearm designed for CQB and a 6.5 Grendel x45mm (stretched Gendel) chambered AR12. The M249 design would be erased from any and all Military databases. A LMG would be designed around the Grendel.

Talking Marine Corps Structure
The Weapons Platoon would train/function as a MAP (Mobile Assualt Platoon) for 4th Gen Warfare purposes. Designed to work in 3 truck teams in a QRF capacity for the Company. They'd hover just outside the mission's AO, being cognate not to stay in any place to long and making one position a normal. In these 3 truck teams you'd see a lead and rear with an MMG and a middle with a MK19 mounted that also has a built in 60mm mortar system.

A UAV should be utilized to stream live footage of the AO to the trucks.

The 5.56 and 7.62 NATO couldn't completely go away, in the near future. Just give it to the Air Force. Maybe in 100 years they'll use up the stockpile of arms and ammunition we have. HAHA jk Seriously though the current weapons and ammunition is more than adequate for the Air Force and Navy, at least until we use up the stock piles.