It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
Remington makes the Adaptive Combat Rifle, a modular design that allows the user to change calibers from 5.56mm to 6.8mm in minutes by changing the bolt head, barrel and magazine.
Several other gun makers have invested in new carbine designs that can convert from 5.56mm to 7.62x51mm or 7.62x39mm.
Army officials have said many times the competition will be open to all calibers, but it already seems that a priority has been given to service's new M855A1 5.56mm ammunition. The Army recently began fielding the new round that features a lead-free slug and is designed for use in the M4's 14.5-inch barrel.
In addition to the M855A1, the Army will also provide the service's standard 7.62mm ammunition. Gun makers planning to submit weapons with alternative calibers -- such as the 6.8mm SPC or 6.5mm Grendel -- will have to bring their own bullets.
"If you bring another caliber … you have to provide ammo for that weapon," Col. Doug Tamilio, who runs Project Manager Soldier Weapons, said at a recent Pentagon briefing. "And you have to provide the ammo we have in our current fleet. You have to have armor piercing, tracers -- you have to produce all of that."
To Remington and other gun makers, there is no incentive to submit anything but weapons that fire M855A1.
Originally posted by DaddyBare
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/d949ffa8a395.jpg[/atsimg]