Army Wants Improved M4

[LongBlade]

Complaints that the gas-impingement system overheat and the 30 round mag jams are among the complaints about this system in close quarters urban warfare.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/apr/26/army-seeks-gun-industry-help-on-m4-carbine-in-taci/

[jejo68]

and in typical fashion they now wants a Company to redesign the M4 instead of taking some of the very good rifles out there already.

HK 416 if you want to keep using the 5.56mm
HK 417 if you want to switch back to the 7.62mm
diamaco C8A3 which is basicly a new and improved M4 and basicly what they are asking for.
SG 552 is a formiddable weapon also.

And the list goes on.

[MikeGER]

Interesting! over here in Germany finally they (politicans) found out that the G36 when used in high volume of fire engagement in a hot climate like Stan the accuracy drops to 9%. Now a big political scandal smoldering, because department of defence had know it but delayed the problem after complains from the troops 
and department of defence now looking for a replacement or for an enhancement
...well, i would recommend a 'heavy barrel' mod   

[Airborne Rifles]

The Army Times publishes a front page just about every four issues telling soldiers that their weapons are terrible (in between the issues that tell soldiers that their leaders are terrible, their uniforms are terrible, and that the army is going to screw them, on a monthly rotational basis).

The M4 is a good rifle. Interpreting attempts to improve it as being an admission of equipping soldiers with flawed equipment is a bit sensational I think.

[jejo68]

Interesting! over here in Germany finally they (politicans) found out that the G36 when used in high volume of fire engagement in a hot climate like Stan the accuracy drops to 9%. Now a big political scandal smoldering, because department of defence had know it but delayed the problem after complains from the troops 
and department of defence now looking for a replacement or for an enhancement
...well, i would recommend a 'heavy barrel' mod

As I understand it, the problem is the polumer casing that the department of defence actually required instead of the original format put forward by HK in order to save some Cash.
Also the build in scope has a to small viewpoint which is actually counterproductive in low light and urban enviroments.

[jejo68]

The Army Times publishes a front page just about every four issues telling soldiers that their weapons are terrible (in between the issues that tell soldiers that their leaders are terrible, their uniforms are terrible, and that the army is going to screw them, on a monthly rotational basis).

The M4 is a good rifle. Interpreting attempts to improve it as being an admission of equipping soldiers with flawed equipment is a bit sensational I think.

Well the Danish army just replaced their M4 with the diamarco C8A3 because of alot of complaints from the soldiers in the field in Afghanistan and iraq.

[Airborne Rifles]

The Army Times publishes a front page just about every four issues telling soldiers that their weapons are terrible (in between the issues that tell soldiers that their leaders are terrible, their uniforms are terrible, and that the army is going to screw them, on a monthly rotational basis).

The M4 is a good rifle. Interpreting attempts to improve it as being an admission of equipping soldiers with flawed equipment is a bit sensational I think.

Well the Danish army just replaced their M4 with the diamarco C8A3 because of alot of complaints from the soldiers in the field in Afghanistan and iraq.

Certainly there are complaints. And I imagine Danish soldiers will complain about the new rifle as well, just like American soldiers would. That's not to say it isn't a better weapon, just that these sorts of debates about the relative merits of small arms tend to get overblown, especially in the press.

[jejo68]

The Army Times publishes a front page just about every four issues telling soldiers that their weapons are terrible (in between the issues that tell soldiers that their leaders are terrible, their uniforms are terrible, and that the army is going to screw them, on a monthly rotational basis).

The M4 is a good rifle. Interpreting attempts to improve it as being an admission of equipping soldiers with flawed equipment is a bit sensational I think.

Well the Danish army just replaced their M4 with the diamarco C8A3 because of alot of complaints from the soldiers in the field in Afghanistan and iraq.

Certainly there are complaints. And I imagine Danish soldiers will complain about the new rifle as well, just like American soldiers would. That's not to say it isn't a better weapon, just that these sorts of debates about the relative merits of small arms tend to get overblown, especially in the press.

Sure, WHO is ever happy with their gear once the bullets starts flying  :)
but that aside, and the fact that the M4 is basicly a 1950 design with a few modifications, there has been some serious complaints that really needed to be adressed.
fx the design of the M4 that Means it can overheat very quickly compared with the relative small calibre that Means you are encouraged to shed more rounds out there.
I know of at least one firefight where the overheating could have cost alot of lives, namely when one Danish platoon was completely surrounded and cut off in a compound in Afghanistan. at the end of the engagement they were Down to 3 functional rifles and that was only because they canibalised the other rifles for parts. If it hadnt been for the supporting mg3 and the Carl Gustavs they would probably all be dead by now.

[Airborne Rifles]

Wow, I hadn't heard about that firefight. I'd love to read about it. Do you by any chance have a link to an English-language source?

On a relatively unrelated note, I'm doing some academic research right now and just this morning I read an article about how some fallen Danish soldiers are memorialized in YouTube videos. Glad you modern-day Vikings are over there with us  O0

[jejo68]

Wow, I hadn't heard about that firefight. I'd love to read about it. Do you by any chance have a link to an English-language source?

On a relatively unrelated note, I'm doing some academic research right now and just this morning I read an article about how some fallen Danish soldiers are memorialized in YouTube videos. Glad you modern-day Vikings are over there with us  O0

well there has been a number of videos on youtube of Danish soldiers.

this one hits hard on me since it plays the music that is song everytime a Danish casualty is being brought home.

rough translation of the lyrics:

King of Kings! only you can
shield our beloved fatherland.
Lord,  only you can endow us victory,
and protect our glorious and ancient Denmark

surround us with the bands of unity
send from your kingdom the spirt of enthusiasm
Follow  in danger our brave little band!
lifting of the army blessing your hand!

Loving Father, listen to our voice
peace and liberty will bless our coast!
Wealth will follow over the waves
bless our fields with the richest harvest!

[jomni]

And the OPFOR still loves their AK's

[jejo68]

And the OPFOR still loves their AK's

Speaking of that, have you tried the ak-103 or know about its performances ?

[jejo68]

it seems russia has decided on their new rifle