The Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) provides an enhanced capability for the 21st century infantryman, with the potential to selectively replace the M16 rifle, M203 grenade launcher, and M4 carbine. When fielded, the OICW dual munition system will provide superior firepower to the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Special Operations Command, Navy, and Coast Guard.
Program guidelines were derived from the Small Arms Master Plan (SAMP) and Joint Service Small Arms Master Plan (JSSAMP). OICW was managed by JSSAP during the Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) phase. For the PDRR/EMD phase, OICW management will transition to PM Small Arms with support provided by ARDEC.
Effective range to 1,000 meters
Full defilade target capability
Moving target tracking capability
KE semi two-round burst; HE semi automatic
Recoil level 1/3 that of the M14
Ruggedized composite weapon housing
Separable HE/KE weapons
Precise target range, automatically communicated to 20mm HE bursting ammo
Five times more lethal than the M16/M203, at > twice the range
Rate of fire with KE ammo >850 rounds/min, with HE >10 rounds/minute
Easily field strippable in under two minutes
Day/night fire control; weapon interface, iron sight backup
HE ammo functional modes: airburst, MOUT short arm, point detonation, point detonation delay, and self-destruct
Laser ranging accuracy ±1/2m out to 500m, ±1m out to 1000m
Equipment guide, Military.com,
http://tech.military.com/equipment/view/89063/objective-individual-combat-weapon.html
In the late 80’s the movie “Aliens” showed a similar weapon. The space Marines battled the famous alien creatures with weapons that combine a riffle and grenade launcher. While I was serving in the Marines from 1994 – 2000, we kept seeing pictures and hearing talk, of a weapon such as this, being tested. I always wondered what happened to it. I guess it still hasn’t been perfected yet. While it seems as a good idea to give the infantry man a better option during combat, I wonder about other implication. One being how light weight will it be. Since it combines three types of weapons into one that means a lot of parts and probably more weight than a standard M-16. It also seems a bit bulky which could cause problems during combat... I’m interested to see if it will eventually come out since it has been about 10 + years since I first heard about it.
ReplyDeleteThe 1990s movie The Fifth Element showed a similar gun, but it was used by aliens trying to take over the world. Developing a gun like this is Americas way of saying watch out! We are still the strongest nation on planet earth and we will develop new gadgets to keep it that way! As everything else evolves with the times, so does our weaponry!
ReplyDeleteThis gun can simply be described in two words. BAD ASS. A gun like this although a little big is exactly what americans need to prove we are the boss. Tell me Bin laden wouldn't be scared with one of those things locked on his head.
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