Originally Posted By: Astro14
Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
Originally Posted By: Astro14
So, while the Army isn't ready to go to an all .30 caliber rifle force, they are spending big $$ (and not making decisions) on improving the 5.56mm round itself by modifying the projectile. Exotic metals, new design, etc. have all been examined. They're well aware that their present rifle is inadequate.
The Army is not spending big $$ improving the 5.56mm round currently because they already have. It's called the M855A1, and it was developed for the M4.
The Army has also conducted a "Carbine Competition" and determined that the competition didn't offer significant enough advantages to justify qualifying a new carbine at that time.
They have also updated their 7.62mm, called the M80A1.
I would call the $100 million they spent "big $$", when you're talking ammunition R&D. Yes, they've got the M855A1, but other alloys were considered. So, spending, spent, got it, it was still a lot, and the new round is slightly higher priced than the old.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2014/5/28/the-m855a1-cartridge-a-long-time-coming/
They did examine the round performance, they spent a lot, and they were looking to address all the shortcomings of the M855.
You are saying in the original quote, in present tense, the Army is currently spending big $$ on improving the M855 cartridge.
This is false, because it is past tense. The M855a1 was released in 2010. There is no current effort for a M855A2