What kind of assault rifles do you think the USA will use in 2020?

What kind of assault rifles do you think the USA will use in 2020?

Will they still keep the M4 Carbine and other assault rifles of today or will they replace them with a new one when when 2020 comes? Because as years passed we ended up changing our standard weaponry like for example we change our world war 2 era weapons around the 1960s to M16s

The m4 carbine, chambered in 5.56 nato.

reply to post by starwarsisreal



Hand held lasers. Like, on star wars, that shoot a burst of energy out that follows to it's target. My guess. who knows.

reply to post by starwarsisreal


My immediate thought was the XM8 but it seems that is off the cards now. Having done a bit of searching, it seems that the most likely contender right now is this:

Sticks if we keep messing around like we are.

Probably something similar to those modular M16s. Swap out the upper and you can go from house clearing to long range. In all honesty I doubt anything is going to change except perhaps the ammunition.

Id say ifn we keep messing around like we are lately, the newest infantry weapon to come down the pike in 2020 will be the jawbone of an ass!

Laser, Gauss, or Rail Rifles.

Something like fully-automatic Sniper rifles or something completely random and unthought of.

Or updated versions of what we already have.

Or lasers.

Probably one of a new form of BARRETT ASSAULT RIFLE as if you look up this company they are developing weapons that have the Range of an M-16 yet the stopping power of a AK-47.

This is essential for Jungle Warfare as an M-16 is not suited for penetration of dense jungle vegetation but an AK-47 does not allow the Soldier to carry as much ammo nor does it have nearly the range of an M-16.

Barrett is and has developed a cross between the two. Split Infinity

I would literally bet money that we will still be using some variation of the AR platform. The military takes a LONG time to change their ways.

While I'm not personally a fan of the AR platform, they have been around long enough (and in service long enough) that the kinks have been worked out. The are a tested and true battle rifle and it would take a lot for the Military to move away from them.

They might change caliber, but I still doubt it. 5.56 is Nato standard and its REALLY going to take a lot for them to change that.

It's only 8 years away, guys. Back in 2004 if you asked someone what the standard issue rifle would be in 2012, people wouldn't have said some crazy lasers or anything. They would have said AR platforms (if they knew what they were talking about, that is) Ask someone today, and the same still holds. AR platforms.

I'd put my money on them changing their sidearm from the M9 to something else (M&P?) before the main battle rifle changes.

Full auto rocket launcher snipers with chainsaw bayonettes.

And frogs.

reply to post by starwarsisreal


One word: XM8

Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range

reply to post by HomerinNC


good 1 I was seeing plasma emitters but that's after some interaction occurs and EA*RTH is GIVEN certain techs to defend with. I know waaaaay outta box lol but thats me

We will still have M4s considering they are still replacing older m16s in the army with them. You might see a little more of the FN Scar H/L but that is about it.

Originally posted by HomerinNC
Phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range

what you see is what we got

As some people have said, the armed forces will continue to use the M16/M4 system except for some special operations forces who will be using M4s along with the HK416 and Mark 16 and 17 SCARs. The SCARs will probably be in the mod/block 1 or 2 version by 2020. Basically until we get heating issues with Caseless ammo and Energy Storage issues for things like Rail/Gauss guns and man portable lasers/particle beams we continue to use some variation. Of Eugene Stoners rifle.

The Army is already buying and modifying their M4s to M4A1 standard, the same as the special Forces, with full auto, a heavier barrel for better cooling issues and various PIPs(product improvements) such as a different gas system, an ammo capacity/rounds fired readout and better accessories and sighting systems. The M16/4 is here to stay for another 25-30 years. Sure they may be firing 4000+ fps rounds a decade or two in the future but not much has really changed for the basics of firearms for over a century.