Okay that is not as good as the HK 416 either what they want is Gas piston uppers. LWRC in 6.8 is what they want.The M4 is not the greatest weapon ever, it has jamming issues, 5.56mm round, and so on, why didn't they just give them the M468 if they wanted an M16 variant so badly.
never thought of that they could have bought the FN Scars, but the Ar 15 is one of the "symbols" of the American army, plus that is what everyone is use to."Okay that is not as good as the HK 416 either what they want is Gas piston uppers. LWRC in 6.8 is what they want."
I know, but honestly, if they had some crazy reason for only using AR-15 Deriatives or something.
Just an FYI, the AWG (Asymmetrical Warfare Group) mentioned in the article are not technically "special operations" as they are not part of SOCOM (Special Operations Command). They're kind of an odd-ball unit, but as far as I know they fall under "big army" not SOCOM. I'd be very surprised that anything was getting "confiscated" from SOCOM. They very much do their own thing in terms of purchasing weapons and kit - so I doubt someone went over to CAG and asked them all to give up their H&K 416's.
I just returned from Iraq, and there were definitely H&K 416s in use by "DoD" personnel a month ago, and so word (that I heard or they mentioned) on any kind of confiscation. Perhaps it was limited to the AWG for some specific reason?
Adrian
Well I was so sure that they where going to use the HK XM8 but then the U.S decided to stick to what they have right now. But yeah there are many other choices around from them to choose (all are much better then the M-16). As for the image I really do not think many people are going to care about the image. All different countries have different image of there infantry men.even if the AR-15 is a symbol of the American military, the military may need overhauling after they leave Iraq, their image has been tarnished badly in the public eye, because of the unexpectedly high casualties. The US Army and Marines may need a image overhaul. The public now sees the US military on the news in their tan uniforms as casualties everyday, wearing the PASGT helmet. Carrying a strecher, an M-16 on their back, and the American flag on the Uniform, the US Military image may need a change after the Iraq debacle. Just like after the Vietnam War the US military image was very different by the time Americans would fight again, (and out of Asia), in Grenada, Panama and Desert Storm.