"Here’s The Tech The Army Wants To Use To Upgrade The M4" Topic

"Several months ago, the Army's Project Engineering Office for Individual Weapons announced it was looking for sources to pursue what it called M4A1+, a series of upgrades to the M4A1 carbine that will be sourced from commercially existing components.

Lt. Col. Terry Russell, the project manager for Individual Weapons at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey related the impetus for the program in an Army Times story: "We're always trying to modernize and upgrade the weapon to make sure we've got the best weapon available … There are no deficiencies that we're trying to correct; we're just trying to make sure it remains a premier weapons system."

Task & Purpose has covered upgrading the M4 with commercial parts before, but Russell's remarks have clarified the scope and direction of the M4A1+ program; they also indicate changing attitudes regarding carbine gunfighting in the Army.

One of the most significant upgrades would be a new modular railed forend. The Army has specified that the rail be at least 12 inches long. The longer rail would allow soldiers to accommodate the thumb-over-bore shooting technique, which straightens the elbow of the support hand and allows the shooter to better manage recoil. While thumb-over-bore has been around for decades, the technique has entered the shooting mainstream. The Army also wants the rail to be free-floated, eliminating outside forces like sling pressure and the shooter's grip that affect the barrel's accuracy. The Army's acknowledgement of current shooting techniques and technology with the M4A1+ design is welcome sign of evolving thinking regarding the infantry rifle…"
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Amicalement
Armand

17pdrs?

Free floating a barrel on a CARBINE is really important? If you're shooting long range (or thinking that you are going to be), why are you using a carbine?

Rob

Because that makes it more expensive.

The carbine sized weapon is ideal for modern transport. The full sized M16 just isn't a great fit in HMMWV. However, you also have the issue that some modern battlefields have infantry starting engagements at 500+ yards. Of course you need the space to do that in, but there are places were that's been happening. Free floating the barrel is not a big deal in terms of design. The question is, are they sticking with gas impingement system or finally moving over to piston systems? Having shot piston I am hopefully they can make it reliable enough for the battlefield.