Poll: Replacement for the M16?

[klakkat]

It's honestly insignificant. Most modern combat rifles (the M16 included) have fairly similar abilities, particularly since the M16 has been updated dozens of times since its first production. The key thing, however, is that infantry aren't nearly as important in warfare these days. Sure, you still need some around, but they don't do the same kind of heavy fighting they did in WWII and before. So, training is much more important than the rifle used, which means it is better to just keep using the M16 as more people have experience with it.

 

[Sacman]

The AK-47/74 duh...

 

[StANDY1338]

I thought the m416 was the front runner?

 

[angry_flashlight]

The best change for infantry would be to have mech suits instead of foot soldiers.

Seriously though, M16 is in need of replacement, but I don't see the US military settling on just one at this point. With SOCOM going with the SCAR, Delta going with the 416, and who knows what with the rest. The rest are probably waiting to see how the others do before they decide. I think some AR with a 6.8 round could be worth a look (now if only there were some...).

Although, if they had laser rifles, enrolment in the armed forces would probably double overnight...

 

[Trivun]

Here in the UK we use the L-98 series. Single-shot, have to cock it after each shot, but a very good range and easy to use and maintain. Easy to strip down, too. I trained with a cadet version when I was in the CCF (Combined Cadet Force) in school, RAF section, and it was so easy to handle. It's a modified version for cadet use of what the British troops use in the field out in Iraq and Afghanistan and wherever, though I'm not sure how long it's been in service. But surely, for all countries, weapons should be recycled and a new version or a more advanced weapon be made available when new technology is developed? Upgrades can only get you so far, eventually as the technology changes military forces need to change with it, right?

Ive had basic training with this modified version but never got the chance to fire it with live ammunition. It im a pretty good shot with the old bolt actions though, reminds me of the SA80 which i thought was our current gun no?

As far as I'm aware it's the L-98, but I only ever used it at school, which I left two years ago, so it might have changed since then. Haven't spoken to anyone still there in the CCF for a while so I don't know. Never used the SA80 myself, but the L-98 was what we always used on our own shooting range, plus when we did 'field days' training at nearby Army bases, we'd use them. I recall using laser ammo on the 'SAT' ranges (firing virtual rounds at a screen, like with light gun arcade games), and again it was the L-98 (modified to fire laser rounds rather than actual ammo).

 

[gh0ti]

The reason why the M-16 has been in service so long is because assault-rifle development has really hit a plateau since it was developed. Since then, although a lot of different things have been tried, such as bullpup configurations, the benefits these offer aren't significant enough for the US to totally re-equip its armed forces.

The truth is, the current generation of assault rifles are more than accurate, deadly and lightweight enough to carry out their job. The main challenge for designers is to make their weapons more reliable, which is why the British overhauled their L85s and why the Americans are looking at replacing their M4s for the HK416.

As things stand, anything short of a breakthrough in weapons technology is rather superfluous. That's why there have been so many failed attempts to produce a do-it-all infantry weapon (OICW as an example). It's possible that the future may lie in producing smaller weapons that retain the accuracy and firepower characteristics of assault rifles.

 

[Layz92]

Well, the Israeli's are currently replacing the M16 with the TAR-21, or Tavor. The gun had showed to be more accurate and reliable then the M4 in field testing (Looks pretty badass too).

I was going to say this. Quality gun without being loaded up the arse with every piece of military tech known to man.

Besides why does the M16 need replacing? Bullets come out the end fairly accurately that hurt quite a lot... what more do you need? The M14 is still in use even. Why? Cos it is a good weapon.

 

[Alon Shechter]

By this... You mean the US military... right? You should be a bit more specific.

And well, I dunno. What about the XMB Battlefield has been so apparently crazy over?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/XM8-Poster.jpg

Project was canceled a while ago I think.
To the subject:
I believe the Scar-H (All the modules) Is in the process of advancing to a basic infantry rifle instead of a spec-ops weapon.

The AK-47/74 duh...

MUCH less accurate and tends to break down often.
Yeah.... No.

Well, the Israeli's are currently replacing the M16 with the TAR-21, or Tavor. The gun had showed to be more accurate and reliable then the M4 in field testing (Looks pretty badass too).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMI_Tavor_TAR-21

Respond on Steam or die.
Oh and yeah , you're correct the Tavor is a good rifle.

 

[vrbtny]

There never will be a replacement, until...... RAYGUNS!!!!

I kid, other nations will replace the M16 with something, (A Array of different Assault Rifles), but America?

Their main combat forces will always use M-16's, or variant(Eg, the M4 and H&K416)

There are simply so many M16's floating around America(and the world, unfortunately), that they will never be forgotten entirely. It's like the AK-47, but American.

 

[Premonition]

It was replaced by the M4 already.

Ninja'd by an early post once again.

What I'd want to see though is to see that replaced with a BFG

 

[dragonslayer32]

It should be replaced by the AK47. That would be cool. Seriously, I actually hope they do replace it, it has had it's time and there are much better guns around now.

 

[WaffleCopters]

the m16 was MEANT to be replaced by the ACR, but i dont have a clue what happened there. The whole premice was that the AK47s worked so much better, so the Americans needed a more effective weapon, which is why they created the ACR, a weapon that can be pulled apart and constructed with ease on the battlefield, and altered to fit the AK47 ammo.

 

[Luigicheater]

Although, if they had laser rifles, enrolment in the armed forces would probably double overnight...

Haha, wow, I didn't think my first post would be about this, but...

Use of lasers in warfare is against the Geneva conventions. The technology for laser rifles actually exists, but nobody is going to use it any time soon because they would have the entire world at their throats in an instant.

 

[Silent Eagle]

First campare the M-16 to other guns from the last decades. Basic actions of these weapons havent changed,we use them to kill the other guy and thats all theyre is to it. the M-16 has a marvelous recoil operating system,it throws the recoil straight into your shoulder after it slows it down some,which further maintains accuracy. When you fire one cartridge your still aiming at the target you fired at,not somewhere else like most guns do.
Fire arms combat has hardly changed at all since they first made guns. Your overall goal is to kill the other guy when fighting with guns.

Has anyone noticed alot of new guns kinda look like the M-16 or the M-4? That's because it uses the some of the best design elements.The HK416 that new 6.5mm Grendel just to name a couple out there!

And don't bring up the AK-47,it's easy to manufacture thats why every terrorist can get one from any third world country that practically gives them away..
Sure it's got stopping power but what are you going to do when you got full-auto accurate suppression fire from an M-16 on your ass? Die that's what! Even with Kevlar!
The AK-47 is an outdated weapon,it's really just for sport now.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Although, if they had laser rifles, enrolment in the armed forces would probably double overnight...

Haha, wow, I didn't think my first post would be about this, but...

Use of lasers in warfare is against the Geneva conventions. The technology for laser rifles actually exists, but nobody is going to use it any time soon because they would have the entire world at their throats in an instant.

Hi! I saw you were new, so I'd like to welcome you to the escapist!

We don't like low content or offensive posts, but you seem nice so I don't think that's an issue. You also figured out how to quote people, which is great. I've seen people with hundreds of posts not know how to do that.

I'd recommend that you join some user groups, like this one. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Aardvarks-Anonymous] It's a pretty odd group, but funny.

Also, I also suggest you get an avatar. Here's a good place for them. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/The-Avatar-Store-New-and-Second-Hand] What you do is join the group, and then ask for one you like, make sure to say thank you. They have a little thing about how to get on, in case I'm not being specific, I've never got one from there.

Have fun!

OT: Until there's some kind of radical new design I think the M16 is here to stay.

 

[GloatingSwine]

Sure it's got stopping power but what are you going to do when you got full-auto accurate suppression fire from an M-16 on your ass? Die that's what! Even with Kevlar!

Someone doesn't understand the concept of suppression fire.... Suppression fire is not designed to kill people, it's designed to make them keep their heads down and not shoot back so that you can get closer to them to kill them by shooting properly. It is by definition not accurate beyond "somewhere in the general direction of dudes".

Also, you know how long an M-16 will fire on full auto? (even the ones that will, the A2 and A4 variants don't even have full auto on the selector) Four seconds. That's how long you get. That's why you get box fed SAWs like the M249 specifically for the purpose of delivering suppression fire. (and why the new "machine gun" the US Marines have ordered is nothing of the sort, a machine gun with a 30 round magazine... No, you've just ordered a rifle without going through the political circus that is rifle procurement in the US Military)

The AK-47 is an outdated weapon,it's really just for sport now.

You'd think the "47" would give it away. The gun is from 1947, anyone using an AK-47 is using it because they come from a third world shithole and can't afford a real rifle.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

The AK-47/74 duh...

NO YOU HAVE TO BE RANK 70!



In all seriousness, keep the M16, it took the Viet Cong out, and it's probably took more people out than I can be bothered listing.

 

[fix-the-spade]

Please also take into account that if your rifle were to become the next standard our soldiers

In some areas of the US military the M4 has already replaced the M16A4 as standard issues, which was a cost saving decision (and a bad one as M4's suffer faster wear from the shorter stroke piston).

The SCAR-L/H is already replacing the M4 and M21 as a special issue weapon, but it is too expensive for general issue.
The Marines are in the process of replacing their rifles with Heckler and Koch M27s, which is essentially based off the M16/M4 but with HK's own short stroke piston that is far more reliable than Colt's. It also doesn't have the tendency to explode in the event of a barrel obstruction like M16s can do. That was announced last year and is tentatively dated as being complete by 2014.

The XM8/29 OICW project has been cancelled entirely. The rifle istelf was a H&K G36 internally, but with a different plastic frame to differentiate it, the G36 is reliable, but itself is a design almost 20years old now and technology has moved on.

H&K have since made the 416/M27 line which has identical controls to the M16 but with the greater reliability and safety I mentioned above. It's probably going to be adopted as a replacement for M16s as it is fairly cheap, identical to use and an improvement in all other aspects.

As far as adopting a new type of ammunition, a new cartridge is unlikely to happen as Nato has agreed on standardised rounds, so forcing the adoption of something other than .223 or .308 is unlikely.

 

[fix-the-spade]

In all seriousness, keep the M16, it took the Viet Cong out, and it's probably took more people out than I can be bothered listing.

Wait, no it didn't. The Viet Cong pushed the M16 all the way out of Vietnam and into the sea, in fact, they're still in control of Vietnam to this day (by another name).

 

[RobCoxxy]

It would already have been replaced by the XM8 had the test weapons the Army was given began melting in desert conditions.

All plastic guns are lightweight, yeah, but prone to melting.