Army solicits industry for M4 replacement

[unhappycamper]

‘We want to ... know what’s out there’
Process could lead to a replacement for the M4


Army solicits industry for M4 replacement
By Matthew Cox - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Sep 29, 2008 5:58:04 EDT

Army weapons officials want to see what gun companies, big and small, have to offer as a possible replacement for the M4 carbine.

Officials with Project Manager for Soldier Weapons put out a recent solicitation to the small-arms industry, seeking “the state of the art in small arms technologies” for soldiers, according to documents.

The “request for information” is the first step toward a carbine competition the Army intends to open next year after Colt Defense LLC, the company that makes the M4, turns over the weapon’s technical data rights in June 2009.

“We want to make sure we know what’s out there” said Col. Douglas Tamilio, who runs PM Soldier Weapons. “The door is wide open for any type of system.”

If all goes as planned, the Army will release a request for proposals late next summer, formally inviting weapons makers to submit plans and prototype weapons for testing, said Maj. Tom Henthorn, small-arms branch chief for Soldier Requirements Division at Fort Benning, Ga.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/army_M4_092808w/%2e

[YOY]

1. I'm sure they won't overcharge us for it...

and "state of art" is truly important when everyone else is two generations behind you.