Xm-8 is a go!

[killagee 0]

IMAGE SIZE OVER 100KB!

http://dboy.cpgl.net/USA/oicw/xm8-5.jpg

It looks like the XM-8 (originally the HK G-36 portion of the M-29 OICW) has come through testing with flying colours! A testaments to this are linked to below...

HK is being forced to open a maunufacturing factory in the USA, because many US hawks will not let the Armed Forces buy forign equipment, but it definatly a German gun!

Check it out...

DATA SHEET PDF

Comparison to M-4 / M-16 PDF

Army times Article

Factory Announcement PDF

Commentary Video

Full Auto Video

Beginning life as the 5.56mm KE (kinetic energy) component of the 20mm air-bursting XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW), the XM8

Lightweight Modular Carbine System represents the state-of-the-art in 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifles. Developed by the US Army’s office of Project Manager for Soldier Weapons located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey in close conjunction with the US Army Infantry Center, the XM8 Future Combat Rifle is intended to replace existing M4 Carbines and select 5.56mm x45 weapons in the US Army arsenal beginning as early as the fourth quarter of FY05. Once adopted, the M8 Carbine will replace the aging M16/M4 family of weapons, which have been in service for nearly four decades, longer than any previous US service rifle. The M8 Carbine will be up to 20% lighter than a comparably equipped M4 Carbine MWS and yet offer additional features and performance unavailable currently in any assault rifle in the world.

As a direct development of the separable OICW (XM29) KE or Kinetic Energy module, the M8 Carbine will share a high degree of common parts and training and maintenance procedures to lessen the required support for the “family†of XM8 weapons. Being developed are four XM8 variants, which include a

baseline carbine, a sharpshooter variant, an automatic rifle variant, and the ultra-compact carbine variant. A unique feature of the XM8 modular weapon system is the ability to easily and quickly reconfigure the weapon from one variant to the other to meet changing mission requirements, to include caliber conversion.

This modularity includes the exchange of interchangeable assembly groups such as the barrel, handguard, lower receiver, buttstock modules and

sighting system with removable carrying handle. In addition and in parallel, the new XM320 quick detachable single-shot 40mm grenade launcher with

side-opening breech and LSS lightweight 12 gauge shotgun module can be easily added to the XM8 by the user in the field without tools. The unique buttstock system allows the operator exchange buttstocks without tools from the standard collapsible multi-position version, to an optional buttcap for maximum portability or an optional folding or sniper buttstock with adjustable cheekpiece for special applications. Internally the XM8 employs a combat-proven robust rotary locking bolt system that functions and fieldstrips like that used in the current M16 rifle and M4 carbine. However this bolt is powered by a unique gas operating system that employs a user removable gas piston and pusher rod to operate the mechanism. Unlike the current M4/M16 direct gas system with gas tube, the XM8 gas system does not introduce propellant gases and the associated carbon fouling back into the weapon’s receiver during firing. This greatly increases the reliability of the XM8 while at same time reducing operator cleaning time by as much as 70%. This system also allows the weapon to fire more than 15,000 rounds without lubrication or cleaning in even the worst operational environments. A cold hammer forged barrel will guarantee a minimum of 20,000 rounds service life and ultimate operator safety in the event of an obstructed bore occurrence.

The XM8 has fully ambidextrous operating controls to include a centrally located charging handle that doubles as an ambidextrous forward assist when required, ambidextrous magazine release, bolt catch, safety/selector lever with semi and full automatic modes of fire and release lever for the multiple position collapsible buttstock. The operating controls allow the operator to keep the firing hand on the pistol grip and the weapon in the firing position at all times while the non-firing hand actuates the charging handle and magazine during loading and clearing. Major components of the weapon are produced from high-strength fiber reinforced polymer materials that can be molded in almost any color to include OD green, desert tan, arctic white, urban blue, brown and basic black. Surfaces on the XM8 that interface with the operator are fitted with non-slip materials to increase comfort and operator retention. The XM8 uses 10 or 30-round semi-transparent box magazines and high-reliability 100-round drum magazines for sustained fire applications.

Special integral flush mounted attachment points are located on the handguard and receiver to allow the quick attachment of targeting devices. Unlike MIL-STD-1913 rails, the XM8 attachment points do not add additional weight, bulk and cost to the host weapon, and will accept MIL-STD-1913 adapters to allow for the use of current in-service accessories. The attachment points for the standard multi-function integrated red-dot sight allow multiple mounting positions and insure 100% zero retention even after

the sight is removed and remounted. The battery powered XM8 sight includes the latest technology in a red dot close combat optic, IR laser aimer and laser illuminator with back-up etched reticle with capability exceeding that of the current M68-CCO, AN/PEQ-2 and AN/PAQ-4. This sight will be factory zeroed on the weapon when it is delivered and does not require constant rezeroing in the field like current rail-mounted targeting devices. The XM8 will be fully compatible with future Land Warrior technology and components.

The US XM8 Carbine is being designed at the HK Defense design center in Sterling, Virginia and will be produced and assembled in the United States at the new Heckler & Koch manufacturing plant located in Columbus, Georgia, adjacent to Fort Benning. The unit cost of the XM8 will be less than that of the current M4 Carbine and will guarantee the American war fighter uncompromising performance far exceeding that of current in-service M4 Carbines.

[blackdog~ 0]

WOW! There is almost no recoil at all with that thing!

[Consigliere 0]

Yeah! I was about to say the exact same thing!  

That's a 'different' looking rifle alright  

Hmm...The selector switch looks like it's easy to mistakenly switch, and the gun generally looks really plastic-y and like a 'Made in China'- ish toy...Perhaps I'm not so impressed with it.

[earl 0]

Sure there is.  I doubt if any 5.56x45mm assault rifle would look different in that situation.  Watch his shoulder move back and the beginning of the burst, and then fall forward at the end... it's just controlled because he can put his weight into it and hold it down against the sandbag.

I want to see it with the XM320 grenade launcher and LSS shotgun attachments (the real thing, not line drawings).

I didn't like it at first either, but the plastic is cheap, durable, and more comfortable. The selector switch looks like the same one from any HK -- like MP5s.

It's also cheaper than an M4 and faster/easier to clean. And more reliable.

[The Frenchman 0]

Looks a hell alot like the battle rifle from HALO2

Hmm

Personally, I think its a waste of money and it looks like crap.

[blackdog~ 0]

.

http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2700/2740.htm

behind view - this is the USMC XM8

[Consigliere 0]

Those pictures BD just posted confirm my opinion...This thing looks like a toy

[blackdog~ 0]

It looks as if it is made out of that same heavy duty material that they put in truck bedlinings. If so, I think it's pretty good...

Edit: In the end, it's not how it looks - it how it performs - and it looks like it performs pretty well.

[killagee 0]

"...wont last in the real world of combat..."

"...not suited to the modern battlefield..."

"... too unsturdy..."

This is what was said about the G-36 when it first appeared. Now the G-36 is acknowledged as the most reliable rifle in service today.

Only time will tell with the XM-8.

Much of the blurb sited in the articles above sound reminesent of what was said about the SA-80 though ;(

I think for the US to acquire foriegn gear, it would have to be VERY GOOD. Agreed?

I am confident with this one. Confident enough that if I was an ADDON MAKER, I would start perfecting one rightaway....(hint hint hint)

[Consigliere 0]

Edit: In the end, it's not how it looks - it how it performs - and it looks like it performs pretty well.

Yeah but it's always cool having kick arse looking gear

[drewb99 0]

They should replace the gearbox, the stock ones don't last very long

[Harnu 0]

Those pictures BD just posted confirm my opinion...This thing looks like a toy  

That's what everyone said about the M-16 when it first came out. And look how long it's lasted and how well it's done.

[Milkman 1]

400fps upgrade is a must, I hope TM gets it out soon.  

How much more reliable is the XM8 to the M16? The only plus I could see in the XM-8 is better reliabilty, hopefully on par with kalashnikov series weapons.

EDIT: Damn, harnu beat me to it!

[4 IN 1 0]

1 thing i am not really sure about, the XM8 seems to using a G36 mag. now, are they going to make it the standrad mag.?

[red oct 2]

I like it, kinda looks like those super soakers kids used to have a craze for although isn't the arms manufacturing companies getting a little too carried away w/ the wieght issues of the weapons?

[Consigliere 0]

Those pictures BD just posted confirm my opinion...This thing looks like a toy  

That's what everyone said about the M-16 when it first came out.  And look how long it's lasted and how well it's done.

Well the M16 doesn't have a spotless track record...Vietnam?

[blackdog~ 0]

Those pictures BD just posted confirm my opinion...This thing looks like a toy  

That's what everyone said about the M-16 when it first came out.  And look how long it's lasted and how well it's done.

Well the M16 doesn't have a spotless track record...Vietnam?

But the modern day ones are all good, when cleaned at least. In vietnam they had mud in them alot, leading to jams etc...

[ozanzac 0]

I give thumbs up to the black one.

Thumbs down to the brown one. It looks like a cheap plastic toy gun using the colour of a discontinued seventies die.

Not pleasing to the eye.

[Harnu 0]

Those pictures BD just posted confirm my opinion...This thing looks like a toy  

That's what everyone said about the M-16 when it first came out.  And look how long it's lasted and how well it's done.

Well the M16 doesn't have a spotless track record...Vietnam?

Vietnam had it's kinks, but as long as you maintained it, you we're relatively okay. The weapon jammed a lot, granted, but if it really were just a big POS, it would have been scrapped. But instead, it has been in service for over thirty years.

[black__bird 0]

HK is being forced to open a maunufacturing factory in the USA, because many US hawks will not let the Armed Forces buy forign equipment, but it definatly a German gun!

dont know if anyone has said this yet or not, but i was under the impression HK already has a manufacturing facility in the united states. i thought they had a rather decent sized complex in Sterling, Virginia...thats where they have their main US offices, ITD and several other structures. now maybe they will have to build another one for the XM-8 line where the current building might be for USPs, MP5s, and some FABARM stuff for the civilian market.

[earl 0]

They built a new manufacturing plant very recently just outside Ft Benning, GA.

[ralphwiggum 6]

AFAIK, HK did not have prodcution facility in US, and is recenty opening a manufacturing plant in Columbus, Georgia.

http://www.hk-usa.com/corporate/aboutus.html

If any one in US is interested in looking for a job, http://www.hk-usa.com/corporate/employ.html

oh, and about XM8. put it through strict field test.

[Ex-RoNiN 0]

It looks like crap. Imagine you invade a country with that thing, you will win because the defending army will be ROFL'ing at your toy

[waffendennis 0]

Damn I dont want that the Tech on weapons will go any further more because on Weapons: they wanna give it a future look and those looks are lame so keep the normal look because then you got a real Weapon....

And wy does this looks like the German G36 rifle.

When I saw the pic for the first time i thaught:

1: This is a joke

2: Wy does it looks like the G36

[Architeuthis 9]

Damn I dont want that the Tech on weapons will go any further more because on Weapons: they wanna give it a future look and those looks are lame so keep the normal look because then you got a real Weapon....  

And wy does this looks like the German G36 rifle.

When I saw the pic for the first time i thaught:

1: This is a joke

2: Wy does it looks like the G36  

Read the text. The manufacturer of the gun is H&K, and guess who made the g-36?

Arch.