| The 5.56 is going to be the "next" caliber. | | | | There is research into sound and light wave |
| As of now, there is no need, and no plan to | | | | directing and amplification just to mention a |
| replace it. 2nd, there are about 5 threads on | | | | few. The correct problem is the ability to |
| this topic. There will be a replacement in | | | | use these weapons at the current weapons |
| the future, no time soon though. I for one am | | | | ranges. Yeah I have seen a lot of shows on |
| in no hurry to see the M16/M4 replaced works | | | | Discovery and History about the "Less than |
| just fine but there are plenty of upgrades | | | | lethal" weaponry being developed. I think |
| that could be done instead of wasting more | | | | most of it is being directed for use against |
| money on a new weapon, but that's just my | | | | civilians in civil disturbance type scenarios |
| opinion. | | | | or apprehension of suspects with limited use |
| | | | for military. |
| PEO Soldier is still following the OICW line, | | | | |
| with OICW 1 being the carbine in 5.56mm. The | | | | IMHO, I don't think less than lethal weapons |
| XM8 program is dead in the water, HK's design | | | | would do much in the way of winning a war, |
| was dropped and last word was that they are | | | | unless you could incapacitate an entire |
| allowing companies submit their designs, but | | | | Regiment or Brigade for a sustained length of |
| this was a year ago. And now that this has | | | | time, thus allowing troops to move and secure |
| been said there's going to be a swarm of | | | | the area and the incapacitated troops. Then |
| replies with "the XM8 should replace the M4 | | | | of course, our troops would be overwhelmed by |
| M16." | | | | the sheer number of POW's. |
| | | | |
| Of course far in the future, there may be a | | | | I've seen a few "demos" at military |
| swing away from projectile weapons entirely. | | | | conferences of non lethal weapons. Most are |
| There are advances being made in Directed | | | | as you described, for civil applications. |
| Energy Weapons (such as THELS), that could | | | | However, there are a couple of companies |
| conceivably one day be made into individual | | | | trying to sell energy/sound directed weapons. |
| weapon sized platforms. That is years away as | | | | Their angle is similar to your assessment. |
| for now they have just finally been able to | | | | They contend that a few of these weapons can |
| fit a Directed Energy Weapon and its power | | | | immobilize large groups of soldiers (even |
| source into a 747. | | | | entrenched) for a period of time to allow our |
| | | | guys to maneuver or overtake. I too question |
| Miniaturization is the key to making these | | | | the effectiveness of these weapons. |
| type weapons available for individual | | | | |
| soldiers and that technology is as I said | | | | The wounding theory was an excuse as to why |
| still years if not centuries away.So we will | | | | we were fielding a caliber of rounds that |
| just have to rely on old fashioned bullets a | | | | lack "knock down" power. The Soviets didn't |
| little longer. | | | | care too much about causalities and most |
| | | | fanatical factions don't either. So the |
| I've also seen a big push for non-lethal | | | | wounding theory is very thin. If you are |
| weapons for battlefield use. I'm not talking | | | | going to shoot someone then they had better |
| about the 12gauge bean bag slug and such. | | | | be dead when it's over. |