new assault rifle was: Re: Tech Levels and Quality was Re: DS3 design (long)

Just saw a mention on the tube about a new assault rifle (XM-8).  From
what
was shown it looks like a very nice gun with some unusual features in an
experimental weapon.  Those features would be:	light weight (6 lb was
mentioned), simple to maintain (cleaned in 30% of the time of an M16 or
M4), and simple to operate.

I find it kind of amusing that people are still arguing about why weapon
systems change.  It's simple really.  They change because the new system
does something the old system doesn't even if the old system does some
things better than the old system.  This is true in everything regarding
technology really, from guns to tanks to computers to TV's.  VERY rarely
does a weapon system fill it's role so well that we don't even bother
looking for a replacement (ie M2 Browning .50 cal).

Just a quick list of features in small arms that led to a replacement
being
introduced (not intended to be all-inclusive):

M1 Garand - semi-auto only, low magazine capacity, wood stock, no quick
easy way to unload it, kicks like a mother when fired, HEAVY for a
personal
weapon.

M14 - basically a Garand with a box magazine answering the unloading
problem and the magazine capacity and IIRC the semi-auto problem.

M16 - jams, needs constant cleaning, etc.

Whether people want to admit these are failings of a given weapon is
entirely up to them, but the tactical trend over the last 50+ years can
be
summed up as "He who can apply the most firepower wins the engagement",
and
I don't think anyone can argue that at typical engagement ranges an M4
can
apply far more firepower than an M1 Garand.

JMO, it's worth what you paid for it.

Bill