As so many threads seem to end up discussing this, it seemed sensible to give it 'sticky status'. So all you gun nuts, snipers and spotters now have your own dedicated playground.

Discussion needn't be limited to individual weapons - the ideal fire team/section mix, along with the best mix of weapon sights/STA eqpt is a subject worth exploring. My own submission for the best fire team mix would be:

Rifleman - a forward ejecting bullpup weapon in 6-7mm, with picatinny top and handguard rails (cruciform). Equipped with a 4x day sight w/CQB red dot sight and an II night sight (possibly 'in line').

Grenadier - as above, with a 40mm UGL on picatinny attachment, quadrant red dot sight and LRF.

Comd - as rifleman, but TI sight for improved situational awareness (lux dependant).

Sharpshooter - as rifleman, but longer barrel and lightweight bipod.

All weapons to be capable of fitting a bayonet.

Napier are you a 'Bugle' / FAMAS fan then?

Napier are you a 'Bugle' / FAMAS fan then?

Not especially - I was thinking more along FN 2000/Tavor lines. I am a big fan of the SA80, accepting its right hand firing limitations and piecemeal development, although I accept the increased calibre argument. We all know that the replacement weapons for the current mix will be procured 'offshore', and in the next 10-15 years - so something similar to what we will buy is probably in development/production somewhere. I would see a solution being modular (to a degree) and with a high commonality of parts.

Tavor seems to be a fine weapon design from what I have heard.

http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapo...vor/Tavor.html

modular design, good size, sturdy and accurate

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVPYKNAo47Y

a very enthusiastic review from 'Future Weapons'

Accuracy International AS50 sniper rifle (Great Britain)
http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn67-e.htm

Originally Posted by Padrat

Accuracy International AS50 sniper rifle (Great Britain)
http://world.guns.ru/sniper/sn67-e.htm

Too heavy for general use I would suggest.

FN SCAR-L / Mk.16

OOOOOOOOh, at last, now I cant fecking think of what to right about apart from agreeing that offshore will be possibly both design and procurement. I suspect that we will either buy into a NATO wide system which with Natos new members possibly not wanting that sort of new spend will mean an even longer procurement than if we went down the Euro road.
I would like to see the 6 to 7mm bullets get a full trial of different case configurations to get the most from the latest powder developments. There is no reason that we cant have a round that will do the same work as 7.62 Nato in the GPMG format with slightly less weight.
I would consider that the Taden could be looked at again and with modern materials we should be able to keep the weight reasonably low.

Taden?

Is there any point now the GPMG is so well established?

This is a French system. Called PAPOP.
Two words sum it up for me :

1. Suitcase.
2. Gay.