IAR in the fleet.

via the FireArms Blog

Interesting that the IAR has been down range and no reports on its effectiveness has come out.

Even more interesting is the fact that forward deployed units or units that are soon to be forward deployed (11th MEU) are having discussions on how they will incorporate this weapon into the Infantry units.  Before you ask if I'm speculating, I wrote the 11th MEU and this is the response I got...

There has been discussion about the new automatic rifle within my unit,
but it is my understanding that we will deploy with our current weapons
- M-4, M-4 grenade launcher variant and M249 squad automatic weapon.

We will maintain marksmanship skills with shoots on ship, as well as
train with different militaries throughout the Western Pacific and
Middle East regions.


Very respectfully,

Capt. Roger Hollenbeck
11th MEU public affairs officer

I understand that public affairs officer's have to be cagey in their responses but my take is that this weapon is still in the 'question' mark stage and no guidance has been issued from HQMC on even a recommended usage (of course another option is that HQMC did offer guidance and 11th MEU simply said fuck that and are going to make it work in the field).

But I'm wandering a bit.  Steve at the Fire Arms Blog stated that he thought that this was a back door move by the Marine Corps to get a replacement for the M-16A4 yet be a better performer than the M4.

I shot the idea down at the time but now I wonder if that isn't the way to go.  The stats on the M4 and the M-27 (IAR) are from wikipedia.

Type	Infantry automatic weapon
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
In service	2010-present
Used by	United States Marine Corps
Production history
Designer	Heckler & Koch
Designed	2008
Manufacturer	Heckler & Koch
Produced	2010 testing
Number built	450 test weapons
Specifications
Weight	7.9 lb (3.6 kg) empty
Length	36.9 to 33 in (94 to 84 cm) w/ adjustable stock
Barrel length	16.5 in (42 cm)
Width	3.1 in (7.9 cm)
Height	9.4 in (24 cm)
Cartridge	5.56x45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	560 to 640 rpm
Feed system	20-round or 30-round STANAG magazine or 100-round Beta C-Mag
Sights	flip-up Rear rotary diopter sight and front post, Picatinny rail

and now the M4.

Type	Carbine
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1994–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	War in Afghanistan (2001–present) War in Iraq (2003-2010) Colombian Armed Conflict
Production history
Manufacturer	Colt Defense
Produced	1994–present
Variants	M4A1, CQBR (Mk. 18 Mod 0)
Specifications
Weight	6.36 lb (2.88 kg) empty 6.9 lb (3.1 kg) with 30 rounds
Length	33 in (840 mm) (stock extended) 29.75 in (756 mm) (stock retracted)
Barrel length	14.5 in (370 mm)
Cartridge	5.56x45mm NATO
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Rate of fire	700-950 round/min cyclic[1]
Muzzle velocity	3,080 ft/s or 939 m/s[1]
Effective range	500 m for a point target and 600 m for an area target[2]
Feed system	30 round box magazine or other STANAG Magazines.
Sights	Iron or various optics

Its almost painfully obvious that the M-27 will give the Marines something that we don't currently have.  If the M-27 is adopted as the new Rifle for the Marine Corps then we can standardize on a weapon that isn't as long as the M-16A4, has better range than the M-4 and on top of it all we'll be regaining automatic rifle fire for infantrymen when they're in the assault.

If we're going to stick with the 5.56mm round then it makes sense to issue this weapon to an entire rifle squad..keep the grenade launchers but maybe we could then lose a SAW or two.

Its worth considering especially in light of all the urban fighting thats taken place over the years.  Add to it the optics that are hitting the market and this is a capability thats too good to leave in the hands a single Marine.

Spend the money and spread the wealth.