(Army Times) Editorial: Let the competition begin

[unhappycamper]

Let the competition begin

The Army has for the most part stayed on the sidelines during an ongoing debate over whether to search for a replacement for the M4, the carbine soldiers carry into battle. Now, however, the hunt has been blessed at the very top.

Army Secretary Pete Geren last week told a gathering of carbine makers, top soldiers, congressional aides and the media that he wanted to make sure soldiers went into battle with the best weapon, whether made by Colt LLC, the current gun maker, or some other company.

The occasion was a weigh-in of sorts for gun makers contending to build the follow-on to the M4, for decades the workhorse rifle of the combat soldier. Geren called the M4 “battle-proven,” but he’s called for a fresh examination of what’s available.

It is refreshing that the Army has finally signaled willingness to consider a carbine competition. Geren’s steps toward a competition is a significant about-face for a service long content to stay the course with its current weapon, awaiting innovations that someday might lead to a tremendous leap in technology. The problem with that mind-set is it stymies fielding of improvements while the search continues for the holy grail of firepower.

To be sure, the M4 has served many a soldier well and built a loyal following. But legitimate questions have been raised about its reliability.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/community/opinion/army_editorial_m4_112408/%2e

[Best_man23]

1. Wonder if they will go back to 7.62

[unhappycamper]

2. IIRC, the arguement for the 5.56 was weight.

The flash suppressor on my you-can-tell-it's-swell-it's-from-Mattel M16A1 was handy for cutting wires on CRAT boxes.