Something tells me that with huge cutbacks in DOD spending on the horizon, this endeavor will be tossed into the Dumpster, and the M4 will keep going and going and going…..
“But what discouraged Colt is an Army requirement that the winner turn over technical data rights.”
The Army specifically put this requirement in because of the debacle with Colt over the M4 technical data package. A lot of the other stuff, especially requirements for 1/3 of the guns to be built by another vendor, are BS.
If Russian military could design and build the AK, why can’t our military actually design exactly what they want in a rifle and have someone build it? I’m sure any number of soldiers and Marines could come up with something decent.
Did you catch this part buried at the end of the Army Times article:
“The official said he was not surprised because the propellant in green ammo is “so filthy” some manufacturers have needed an ultrasonic cleaner and rubber mallet to get a bolt out after firing only a few thousand rounds. The Army this spring provided competitors 10,080 rounds (six cases) of M855A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds, aka “green ammo.” This was done so manufacturers could fine-tune their weapons to the ammo’s unique characteristics.”
Gummed-up M16s killed a lot of troops in the early days of Vietnam. How many more people have to die for this green fad?
November 30th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Something tells me that with huge cutbacks in DOD spending on the horizon, this endeavor will be tossed into the Dumpster, and the M4 will keep going and going and going…..
November 30th, 2011 at 11:20 am
Maybe they’re getting smart and decided to just skip the goat rope this year?
November 30th, 2011 at 11:24 am
“But what discouraged Colt is an Army requirement that the winner turn over technical data rights.”
The Army specifically put this requirement in because of the debacle with Colt over the M4 technical data package. A lot of the other stuff, especially requirements for 1/3 of the guns to be built by another vendor, are BS.
November 30th, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Maybe Colt will go back to concentrating on its civilian arms.
Better yet, maybe a company with resources will buy Colt and embark on capitalizing on its goodwill and history.
November 30th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
If Russian military could design and build the AK, why can’t our military actually design exactly what they want in a rifle and have someone build it? I’m sure any number of soldiers and Marines could come up with something decent.
November 30th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
The 1/3 vendor stuff just seems like a fail-safe. If you bought in with, lets say Colt, Then the factory burns down, then what?
November 30th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Colt’s not out according to the article, They’ve submitted an “enhanced” M4. Piston driven and supressor ready, among other things.
November 30th, 2011 at 8:40 pm
Did you catch this part buried at the end of the Army Times article:
“The official said he was not surprised because the propellant in green ammo is “so filthy” some manufacturers have needed an ultrasonic cleaner and rubber mallet to get a bolt out after firing only a few thousand rounds. The Army this spring provided competitors 10,080 rounds (six cases) of M855A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds, aka “green ammo.” This was done so manufacturers could fine-tune their weapons to the ammo’s unique characteristics.”
Gummed-up M16s killed a lot of troops in the early days of Vietnam. How many more people have to die for this green fad?