"Modern/near future US &opponents figs: & likely gear?" Topic

I'm sorry I can't make any recommendations for 20mm scale, but I built my near-future force in 28mm using mostly Copplestone and Hasslefree figures:

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Both Copplestone and Hasslefree are excellent sculpts, and the gear and weapons are either current or close enough to current that they don't look too alien. I like to set my future war skirmishes no more than 50 years into the future so the technology is at least somewhat familiar.

You want to try and get your hands on some Liberation 20mm scifi. The Marines are perfect. See this thread:

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Dropship Horizon has pics of the Neo-Sovs here:

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In 15mm look at GZG and Khurasan Miniatures. I have a ton of both and I think they would be perfect for what you want. Both companies make beautiful figures, crisply molded with great detail. If you are in the US then shipping and the exchange rate can be factors.

I'd expect the troopers to still be carrying the M4/M16/M203/M249SAW family.

Sure, there's a new SAW project going ( link ), but chances are it's going to get killed just as soon as the new gear becomes capable (see also XM29 OICW and XM25 Punisher).

No major changes in gear or equipment, because there's no budget for it. Well, there MIGHT be a closer-to-final deployed version of the Land Warrior individual datalink system. But that's only because it's made in 6 senators and 53 representatives districts. Killing that program would cost too many jobs.

Elhiem's Sci Fi range is very limited. Their figures are excellent but none of them are what I would consider near future. Check the link you have and you'll see what I mean.

Agree with Lion about the small arms over the next 20 years or so. And the Opfor will be carrying versions of the AK/PKM/RPG.
One thing about the M249 is that many of them are older weapons and are at the end of their life. The M4s and M16A2's are newer. The M320 is replacing the M 203 and the USMC has issued the M 32 as well as the M27 IAR.
In the end cost will be the issue. I don't see a replacement of the 5.56 or any massive replacement of the M-16 family except for the SF guys with the SCAR.

LSAT evaluation from 2011
YouTube link

The LSAT LMG does have one thing going for it: It's cheaper to replace than the M249, regardless of what it fires. It will be interesting to see whether the USArmy's version (case-telescoped plastic-cased) or the USMC's version (caseless) finally gets the go-ahead.

I expect the program to be cancelled, even though caseless ammunition is pretty mature these days. After all, the Germans were ready to deploy it back in 1990, only to be screwed over by the costs of getting the East German military up to NATO standards!

I wouldn't be surprised if its canceled given the state of the economy. Caseless ammo is the way to go but I don't think it will happen for another twenty years or more. Improvements in military small arms are not a priority when the times are tough.

In 30 years time I'd expect the major change to be the miniaturisation of FCS's so that AFV type systems can be reliably placed onto small arms. This would allow greater long range accuracy with no real dramatic changes to calibre (perhaps 6.8mm) or weapon systems delivering them.

The major problem, IMHO, is the rapid advances in ballistic protection and use of exo-skeletons in boosting load-bearing capabilities. These evolving technolgies will present uncomfortable issues for propellant based small arms. Also, by 2040, I'd expect a major robotic element in first world armies, whether that extends to game-changing, front-line combat units depends on solving a host of problems, not least the bio-ethical ones.