Replace both a HMG and the handheld Saw? Nahhhh it’d have to use a light cartridge that is both highly destructive for its size, but also cheap to make. These 2 guns use different ammo in different roles. They weigh vastly different for that reason. If its even actually good enough to adopt, it MAY replace one lmao You cant do both roles unless the new gun is somehow as destructive as the .50cal in a much lighter/smaller cartridge that allows it carried in substantial amounts via backpack.
The competing .338 machineguns are being evaluated to replace the M240 which is a full power GPMG. This is different from the lighter M249 SAW. That goal to replace the M240 is the limit of the official parameters being evaluated. The article mentions that for some (“some” being a key word) purposes the .338 is considered powerful enough that it may be useful in SOCOM roles where .50s were otherwise used. It’s all in the article. You did read the article before commenting right?
Yes, I’m just not convinced it’s a miracle object to replace both on the grander stage. It’s easy to impress people who want something for niche use. It’s another thing to convince them to begin mass production of all these new parts that may or may not share parts with already in-service weapons.
Does the 240B not still see use as the squad automatic weapon over the 249 in some cases?
not convinced it’s a miracle object to replace both on the grander stage
The possibly of filling (some) dual roles is only being floated SOCOM statements. There is no implication of it filling a wider stage. The wider Army, despite adopting NSGW rifles and light machineguns has not made any moves to replace 7.62 or .50. I believe you are taking a statement from a niche part of the military, about a possible niche application and rejecting it based on the perception of how it would affect the wider standard forces.
Does the 240B not still see use as the squad automatic weapon over the 249 in some cases?
As a GPMG, it can, by the book, fulfill a light light machinegun role, however it is not well suited to be fired from the shoulder and used in an automatic rifle type of role in the way a SAW can be used. The new .338 machineguns are not being evaluated in the role of SAWs, they are being evaluated as replacements for the normal M240 role. Getting into the edge case use of M240s as squad automatic weapons seems to be missing the point of the current evaluations. The NGSW has already been adopted to replace the SAW by the Army, and willy surely be available to SOCOM if they want it.
The .50 cal being replaced by the .338LM sounds really stupid.
