Grandpa didn’t have body armor, and numerous types of batteries, and radios, and ATAK, and DF/EW equipment, and nods, and …
But also, big heavy guns like the Garand are just not necessary when they don’t have to be so big and heavy.
Folding? That’s about it.
I’m actually really pretty excited about bi-metal cartridges and bumping up the pressure/velocity in shorter barrel guns. If not with the 277 fury, then with the potential with existing cartridges like 5.56 or 6 ARC. There are some interesting possibilities. And I would love to make some bi-metal 5.56 shooting 80 grainers for the 600 yard line at Perry before everyone else.
But the SPEAR/M7 itself is a lot less interesting. And they’re not even seemingly releasing the 16” version in 277 yet.
Roger that. The most interesting things about NGSW are the LMG, the rifle used as a DMR/SASS, and the cartridge technology applied to smaller firearms.
Within an Infantry Company, here are all the duty positions that are going to look at the XM7 and say, “What the......"
Company HQ
CO
1SG
XO
Drivers
RTOs
Supply Sergeant
Supply Clerk
Commo NCO
Commo Specialist
(Attachments)
Fire Support NCO
USAF JTAC (will have some pimped-out SOPMOD Block 3 Mk.18 in FDE with 10.3” pipe)
Engineer NCO
3x Rifle Platoons
Rifle Platoon Leader (PL)
PSG
Combat Medic
PLT RTO
Forward Observers
Drone Operator
Combat Engineer
Rifle Squads x3
Rifle Squad Leader
Fire Team Leader
Grenadier
SAW Gunners will get M250 and be happy with the massive weight reduction, insane terminal performance through barriers
Rifleman will think, “This is cool and new!” Then when he’s handed cross-loaded items, he will embrace more suck.
Weapons Squad
Weapons Squad Leader
Machinegunners will love getting a flatter-shooting cartridge but will wonder about barrel change rates
Assistant Gunner (wants an even lighter M4A1 he will rarely/never shoot)
Ammo Bearer (Why is this happening to me?)
Anti-Armor Weapons Specialist (already has more than enough to carry)
Mortar Platoon
MTR PSG (Lights cigarette...."Aright gents, arms room time....he he he....you’re gettin’ ready to suck again even more.”)
MTR Team Leader (“Guys, time to draw....weapons.”)
Mortarmen (“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”)
The Company Commanders will not want to issue out the XM157 Integrated Fire Control and Laser-Aiming/IR Illuminating systems due to the $10,800 statement of charges price on each one (2022 dollars), except for maybe a few NCOs.
Can you imagine? “Sir, PFC Akbar-Jones just lost one of dem -157s. We’ve already stripped the soldiers down and began sweeping the forest on-line."
Captain: “My......beautiful, precious career......iz gone. RTO, gimme the hand mic....."
"Rakkasan 6 actual, this is Bravo 6 Actual.....uhhhh, we lost a -157......"
BC: “Aghhhhhhhhh!!!!! My beautiful, precious career. Checks skin color. Agggghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"
Brigade Commander: “LTC Slack Jaw, Are you ready for your Letter of Reprimand?"
A few hours later, as the Engineers string up the triple-strand concertina wire around the Company and place guards on them, a dark cloud emerges from nowhere and hovers over that Company until the XM157 Electro-Optical Aiming Module Fire Control Widget is located, which it won’t be, because it was sold to a stripper acting as an agent for Chinese and Russian foreign materials collection and exploitation operatives who have been running the local strip joints for years.
Or maybe it all be ok? We’ll see.
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