M249 SAW - Squad Automatic Weapon
H&K IAR - Infantry Automatic Rifle
Pretty huge news… I’m not sure I really grasp the reason for the changeover though. There is definitely a huge savings in weight… but that is definitely at the expense of magazine capacity. I wonder how soldiers will feel about this? I understand that not ALL of the SAWs are being replaced, but for the ones that are, it seems like 30 rounds in a mag would not go over well for a SAW gunner used to having a 200 round drum.
A lot more info on the specifics of the IAR and the other rifles it was up against over at MarineCorpsTimes – HERE
