Re: M-16 Replacement (yet another Popular Mechanics article)

In a message dated 7/15/99 10:50:39 PM EST, kwinland@chass.utoronto.ca
writes:

<< 
	Recent articles say that the US has commited to 4,000 units by
 2006, with an option for another 16,000 or so by 2010 or later.  We'll
 see....
  >>

That's 45,000 units by 2006. And comparing the cost to a stripped down
M-16 
isn't realistic. Compare it to the cost of an M-16 optimized with low
light 
vision scopes and grenade launcher where cost of the M-16 immediately
becomes 
pretty comparable to the projected new weapon. I am a fan of simplicity
in 
weapons. The less there is to go wrong means a simple weapon works more 
dep[endably. BUT some of the features of this new weapon are pretty 
interesting.