Considerations on the Evolution of War

[cory]

It does seem unlikely to happen. But, there was also a time when sniper rifles were the same caliber as infantry rifles and machine guns, yet today's sniper rifles fire bigger and more powerful rounds. There is no compelling need for magazine-fed rifles to use the same cartridge as belt-fed machine guns. Considering those facts, I think it's conceivable that such a LMG round could become reality.

This goes back to Gen III Warfare and it's logistical challenges. However unlikely, we still must stay prepared for this event whether it be Iran, North Korea, China, or Russia.

Concur. But, I don't see 18-20" barrel length as likely for a future DMR. The carbine version of the M110 sniper rifle has only a 16" barrel, as does the UK L129A1 DMR (and the USMC M27 IAR).

If we can meet the requirements with a 16" Version even better.

Two different AP loads will never happen, if LMG and carbine are the same caliber. In any case, 130gr seems a very unlikely (too heavy) weight for 6.5mm AP. The M993 7.62mm AP is only ~127 gr.

Fair enough

Sounds reasonable.

Extremely unlikely.

Gee, Cory -- With comments like that, a person might get the idea you don't like the M249.

Because of my experiences with it, I hate the thing. I'll put it to you this way if all I head was an M9 and a K Bar I'd be happy to be the first guy in a stack; however, there's no way in hell I'd be the first guy in a stack with the M249 SAW.

LRRPF52 wants a new LMG, too. I'd sure like to know who is expected to design and manufacture this hypothetical weapon?

Whoever wins the military contract. That's how these things work.

Since dimensions of the "stretched" Grendel (and Tony's GPC) round are so close to those of 7.62 NATO, it seems to me that arms makers like FN and HK would just alter their existing 7.62mm machine guns to take the new cartridge, rather than spending time and $$$ to create a completely new design.

If they can meet the max weight and size requirements, I don't see any problem with this.

I responded to you in red.