The Army is developing a new high tech infantry "rifle" planned for initial issue to troops in 2005*.
The new weapon is called the Objective Individual Combat weapon. (OICW) It combines a .223 (5.56mm) automatic rifle with a semiautomatic 20mm (.84 caliber) semiautomatic rifle. The 20mm high explosive rounds use laser range firing and have a fuze which is set to explode at the range determined by the laser range finder.
Accuracy firing 5.56mm ammunition is to be "equal or better than that of the M16A2 ."
20mm ammunition is tp be accurate at 1,000 meters. The weapon is supposed to weigh 12 ponds or less and incorporate "recoil mitigating features."
*having checked some Army PR sites they are currently saying that initial issue to troops would be in 2007 not 2005.
[This message has been edited by Hard Ball (edited February 20, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Hard Ball (edited February 24, 2000).]
The new weapon is called the Objective Individual Combat weapon. (OICW) It combines a .223 (5.56mm) automatic rifle with a semiautomatic 20mm (.84 caliber) semiautomatic rifle. The 20mm high explosive rounds use laser range firing and have a fuze which is set to explode at the range determined by the laser range finder.
Accuracy firing 5.56mm ammunition is to be "equal or better than that of the M16A2 ."
20mm ammunition is tp be accurate at 1,000 meters. The weapon is supposed to weigh 12 ponds or less and incorporate "recoil mitigating features."
*having checked some Army PR sites they are currently saying that initial issue to troops would be in 2007 not 2005.
[This message has been edited by Hard Ball (edited February 20, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Hard Ball (edited February 24, 2000).]