6.8 SPC

[Alan Georges]

Is the 6.8 SPC cartridge really coming back from the brink?  Looks like.  From various sources, it seems that the DoD is has finally picked this as the winner:
http://defense-training.com/2018/6-8mmspc/
http://defense-training.com/2018/the-next-decade/
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a23654011/army-68-calliber-bullet-replace-556/

From that last link:

Not much is known about the Army’s new 6.8-millimeter round.

Um, https://www.bulkammo.com/rifle/6.8-remington-spc-ammo.  All the hard data you need right there, Mr. Defense Author.  Other than that though, it's a decent article.

Anybody got any other info on the DoD adopting the 6.8?  Any insider-ish info?

[Chemsoldier]

They are looking at an 6.8 cartridge. It is apparently not 6.8 SPC

https://taskandpurpose.com/army-next-generation-rifle-round/

The description provided does not seem to work for 6.8 SPC. It is not higher velocity than current ammunition and does not have greater range potential, which is what the CSA claimed the new round will have.  6.8 SPC's promise was greater terminal ballistics than 5.56.

[Alan Georges]

Almost sounds like things could be lining up for another .223 vs. 5.56 type sort-of-incomparability.  Following through a couple of links, there's this: https://taskandpurpose.com/army-testing-bigger-bullets/

If the Army adopted a 6.8mm round, it would need to develop a new action for its carbines and SAW replacement, he said. Since the bullet’s casing would not be made out of metal, the Army would also have to control the heat to keep the casings from melting.

  So maybe it's even more exotic.  Hm. 

[Alan Georges]

Following up on this thread, here's some more cartridge drama.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.8mm_Remington_SPC#Current_chamberings
So even the 6.8 SPC standard is forked in a half-dozen ways.

https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20181110.aspx
Looks like there's gonna be yet another standard forthcoming.

[flyfisher66048]

I don’t think anything will come of this.  The Army has lofty goals to modernize the force.  They created a new 4 star command called Army Futures Command in Austin TX.  Under AFC there are Cross Function teams such as Soldier Lethality, Future Vertical Lift, Next Gen Combat Vehicles, Networks, Assured Position Timing and Navigation, Air and Missile Defense, and The Synethic Training Environment.  The cost of this modernization is going to be staggering!  Soldier Leathility CFT just awarded a $480 million contract to Microsoft for a Heads Up Display device called Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) (link - https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/microsoft-hololens-us-army-contract-1203049810 ).  That is just for a high tech night vision device.  How much do you think the Next Gen Combat vehicle(s), future helicopter, and long range Precision Arty will cost? 

Think about the logistics, and training involved the in transition from one cartridge to another.  They are going to need a bunch of ammo, cleaning kits, mags, etc, and get all that into the logistics supply line. 

The US military always seemed to focus on the latest high tech high dollar systems.  Mattis is focused on the Soldier/Marine infantry, but I wonder how long he will be around.  Will the next SecDef be focused on the infantry?  I doubt it.

And the Dems took over the House, which controls the budget.....

Not going to happen, sorry.