<p><a href="http://tech.military.com/equipment/view/89063/objective-individual-combat-weapon.html?ESRC=recruiting.nl%5B/url%5D">http://tech.military.com/equipment/view/89063/objective-individual-combat-weapon.html?ESRC=recruiting.nl</a></p>
<p>When do they start issueing this baby? </p>
<p>It looks cool and all, but it looks a little bulky compared to the M16, and (I've never had to use an assualt rifle, so correct if I am wrong, but do you really use a grenade launcher THAT much?) It also looks much more expensive and complicated to assemble. I have seen a military channel special on the M16, and it is particularly efficient to create, I can't imagine this being so. </p>
<p>Well, whatever, the case is, you have to admit thats a DIFFERENT kind of gun like things we used to dream about as kids, multifunction, ya know.</p>
<p>That thing looks enormous! It looks cool, but it seems like it be hard to carry around. It's probably not too heavy, but bulky! Anyways, I'm sure the people in charge won't put it into service unless it's the best option.</p>
<p>GO ARMY!!!!</p>
<p>They wont issue that thing pretty much ever. Its too heavy with the battery. The newer version the XM 8 also got scrapped, because it just wasnt that big of an improvement and there is nothing wrong with the M16 family weapon system.</p>
<p>the machine gun portion of the OICW was the basis for the XM8 which I heard was scrapped</p>
<p>I'd rather they just get the M4 carbine to everyone instead of dumping money into a weapon we don't need. The carbine is plenty practical: it is modifiable, it's lighter and it's hardly different at all from the m16 which everyone is already familiar with.</p>
<p>Pretty much everyone who is going to see action has either an M4A1 or an M16A4 (all the rails of an M4 with the same barrel and stock). It isnt an issue no one should worry about it.</p>