Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightfall
I was under the impression that SF was going over to the HK416 for a variety of reasons. Not having any personal insight into SF, I wouldn't know, but that was the last thing I read concerning the weapons in use. I wish I could find the article again, all came across in reference to SF using them was the wiki article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heckler_%26_Koch_HK416
Of course until reading this, I wasn't aware that it was potentially intended to replace the M249 as well... Perhaps what I read previously was refering to SF in general as opposed to specifically Delta Force. Of course, this is also a 5.56.
My readings into the subject of SF and weapons, I was also left with the impression that SF is allowed to choose the weapon they prefer? Is this the case or was that more of the uninformed reporting on something they know nothing about? |
We used the 416’s over there, there are issues with compatibility between materials, wear issues, etc.
The Batt boys had the SCAR's while I was over there, what I would say about the SCAR-L being discontinued for use by US forces is; having a foreign built system replacing a major US system (SCAR-L filling the slot of an AR-15 series system) in the inventory does not sit well with congress or their constituents. However, the SCAR-H has no similar US capability currently filling the need.
The key problem with the SCAR acquisition is that the logistics tail would be significant, with no cross compatibility of repair parts and other sustainment items, the SCAR system would still need to go through the full JCIDS development process, entering at Milestone C, and setting up all the other support structures for a major program of record.
I assume that it will end up being a small wartime special purchase, and never become institutionalized into the force.