Re: SAW replacement...
You obviously don't spend much time dismounted. I've carried both the Mk 43 and 240, and I'd take the Mk 43 any day over the 240 for dismounted patrolling. 240's a fantastic weapon, especially mounted on a tripod or on a gun truck. But that Mk 43 never once failed when I was using it, it points and tracks like a champ, you can shoulder fire it, and it's not nearly as unwieldy as the 240 for squad movements. And don't compare the Mk 43 to the old school M60, that's like comparing our SOPMOD M4s to the M16A1.