21 April 2006
US Army delays next-generation infantry weapons
By Joshua Kucera JDW Staff Reporter
Washington, DC
Additional reporting Scott Gourley JDW Correspondent
California
The US Army has again delayed the procurement of its future infantry weapons, this time for more than five years, and is working to field two interim guns in the meantime.
This is only the latest in a series of delays to the Objective Infantry Combat Weapon (OICW) Increment 1, which was intended to be a family of four guns that would replace the M4 carbine, M16 assault rifle, M249 light machine gun and some M9 pistols in use with the army.
The Department of Defense Inspector General's office has long held reservations about the programme and issued a report in 2005 questioning whether the army's plans for the OICW actually represented an improvement over current systems.
Further confusing the matter is the fact that the army has drafted formal requests for proposals for a non-developmental carbine and a light machine gun. Special Operations Command has also developed a requirement for a new service pistol and army and US Marine Corps officials are believed to be interested in the gun, though it remains to be seen who will lead the effort, said one industry official.
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ST can send a brochure to US Army!!
Squad Support Weapon (SSW)40mm Air Bursting Munition (ABM) directly from a handheld system. Weighing only 6kg with a full load 4 x 40mm rounds and 20 x 5.7mm rounds
The weapon's weight currently stands at 8.17kg, but is expected to be reduced to 6.81kg by the end of PDRR and to a maximum of 6.36kg before entering production.
No matter how light it will be,OICW will not be in mass production
so soon.Sure much later than SSW.
SSW is bulky,good comments!SSW at least less bulky than OICW.
Can u tell us any other SSW is lighter or
better?Pl share here.but i think u cant for most nuts here know,
there is none like SSW.
pl revisit info of SSWand compare with other SSW.