That prompts an interesting question, if you put the M157 optic on legacy rifles how much of an advantage does the M7 still have? Yes it's going to be a wide margin over a short barreled 556, but what about 762 (or 6.5 CM)? Would it still be worth investing in a new platform?

mrclark303 wrote: ↑27 Mar 2023, 19:12 Normally I would agree, but this has gone the distance and its actually underway and in production, with a new rifle and MG.

Not sure I agree with "gone the distance". At the moment the M7 hasn't even gone as far as the Mk16 did in replacing the M4.

What it comes down to is really simple, Uncle Sam (the founder of the feast) has decided on 6.8x 51mm and that's that.... That's the new calibre for those NATO and Western aligned countries wishing to keep in step. So now, it's time for the British Armed forces to select a design in the new calibre...

With more than 100 aircraft in operation, the A400M has surpassed 150,000 flight hours serving nations worldwide

I don’t know how many time I need to repeat this NH90 is NOT an Airbus product it is a NHI product which is the same industrial stable as Merlin. Many companies that now make up Airbus are part of the NHI, so depending on your PoV it could be argued in either direction. Although I'm not sure how th...

Sent this to a friend yesterday

Russia is responding to Ukraine getting Challenger and Leopards... They're digging up T-54's ... I think we need to up the ante... Send in the Churchill's!!!!

Cut the Attack helo, spend that money on drones. Ukraine's war has proven a 2000$ Mavic drone with artillery can be just as deadly as an Apache. Ukraine is one war, it would be wise to look at all the scenario's before wiping out a whole type from the inventory... Don't start giving the Treasury id...

Once the M7 is firmly established in the US Army's fighting units, other Small Arms manufacturers will design and bring out their own weapons in that calibre. Companies like FN and H&K should be quick off the mark assuming they are not already developing weapons that use the new US rounds. Colt...

Beat me... Was just gonna post this.



Can't see why the Navy has to pay for it not being built correctly?

The simple fact is Uncle Sam is the NATO piper and we all follow the piper.... 6.8 X 51mm has been adopted and we all will eventually follow suit.... And how many of those NATO countries will remember the US 762 / M14 bs and think "nah, lets wait a while and see it get dumped to a DMR role&quo...

From what I understand, the full power 6.8 rips through barrels. May want to consider that before wholesale replacement

SD67 wrote: ↑14 Mar 2023, 01:04 .. . And one of those A320 production lines is in China - any conflict of interest there?

Didn't Boeing have a 737 production line in China?

... while it's bespoke replaced is years late and massively over budget... Like I said, tail wagging the dog.... Are you still talking about NMH? Coz they've only just announced a small delay (admittedly it will probably increase), also how is it "massively over budget" when the winner ha...

I would imagine it would be on an MAN chassis. But as has been said, wait for an official announcement, this could all be a load of botox.

Wasn't quite sure where to put this, so mod's feel free to move it if you want

Official announcement on Monday he said...

Frankly, with the way the Government is cutting spending on everything, I'm starting to get the whiff of death about the whole programme. Yea, I wouldn't be surprised if they canned it and held on to Puma for a few more years with the "suggestion" that they'll go straight to Valor (built ...

Aircraft SEAD is high risk, RAF Tornado with the unpowered JP-233 suffered a high rate of losses in the Gulf War flying extremely low and fast at targets, losing a Tornado jet every 80 sorties, in contrast to the Americans fighter loss rate one every 750 sorties. That's a little miss-leading though...

Scrapping them would be a mistake, augmenting them with drones would be a better idea.

Boeing didn't have anything to offer did they (maybe MH-139's, which are smaller than required)? So hardly a surprise.

Interesting view point on the M-7 rifle...
https://www.armytimes.com/opinion/comme ... s-program/

NATO might get them to replace their E-3's too

Be even better news for Boeing considering how fooked they are at the moment

Job jobbed

The only additional countries to order would surely be F-15 operators (given the size of the Tempest). And they would more than likely just buy from the Yanks again wouldn't they?

Social media reports of a train crash in the US releasing large quantities of toxic waste...

There appears to be a news blackout.

*I'm at work, so can't check properly