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The XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) is
under development as future replacement to the current M16/M4/M203
individual weapon system. The new weapon will have twice the
effectiveness, standoff range (beyond 1,000 m') and probability of
incapacitation of targets compared to current M4/M203 weapons. It
aims to combine the lethality of 20-mm programmable air-bursting
munitions and 5.56-mm NATO ammunition combined with rugged,
full-solution fire control system which will provide
Future Force
Warriors (FFW) with the firepower, precision and control they are
required to use. The weapon is designed as a lightweight system,
integrated with built-in a laser range finder and laser pointer, and
illuminator for target acquisition. Aiming cues will be projected on
the optical sight, based on ballistic computations processed by an
integral fire control computer. The weapon will programmable
switches for operation of various systems, such as radio, image
recording and targeting. The systems will also have environmental
sensors, electronic compass, target tracker, laser steering and
thermal modules. Under development since 2002, the new weapon is
expected to mature by 2006 and enter full production by 2008.
The U.S. Army is exploring a new 5.56-mm carbine
design designated XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle. Now being
developed under a contract modification awarded by the U.S. Army
Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center at Picatinny
Arsenal, N.J., to Alliant Techsystems, the XM8 is based on the
5.56-mm kinetic-energy weapon component of the XM29 OICW. Offering
levels of integration, modularity and scalability, the XM8 will be
approximately one pound lighter than the M4 carbine. |
