[OT] What type of gun are you?

[cbatt]

H&K MP5 ... I truly have no idea of this is fitting or not. I'm hardly a walking Jane's manual.

 

[Dougal DeKree]

Alliant Techsystems OICW

i like it

 

[SableWyvern]

I'm the 203.

Anyone got some more details on the OICW? I've been out of the firearms loop for a while, and I'm intrigued.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Well, as someone already posted, it is a combined Assault Rifle / Grenade Launcher (20mm?). You can fire Grenades very accurately.
The basic idea was to build a wepaon that would compensate the lack of skill of many soldiers. The Assault Rifle is designed for nearer distances, I believe it has a smaller reach than typical rifles (if there exist any "typical" ones...)

Well, I am not a Weapon Expert, so I don`t know much more...

 

[Black Omega]

I am a Dragunov Sniper Rifle.

There seem to be a ssurprising number of us around.

 

[DMaple]

I'm the 203.

Anyone got some more details on the OICW? I've been out of the firearms loop for a while, and I'm intrigued.

The only link I know about is this
http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/sci/9809STMIP.html

Its from 1998 after the trials of it were completed, I believe it is now in service in some units. Also I think "Ghost Recon" has a character that uses one, not sure how many of the features they intergrated into the game.

 

[MythandLore]

Actually I think it weighs less than a M4A1 w/M203 Grenade Launcher, and night scope (It works out cheaper as well).

It "weighs less"... No.
M16A2 3.77kg - OICW 5.5 kg empty, 6.8 kg loaded (To me that's damn heavy)
And it is still more bulky.
It's to darn bulky.
Bulky bulky bulky.
And I don't know where you heard it was cheaper...
But the OICW is $10,000 to $12,000 each, and $25-$30 a pop for the 20mm ammunition.
A normal M16a2 (no lancher or "night scope") cost the US govenment less then $600.
That's why places like Israel use it instead of their own TAR-21 (which is a great gun), because the the M16A2 is one of the cheapest (reliable) assault rifles being manufactured.

Anyone got some more details on the OICW? I've been out of the firearms loop for a while, and I'm intrigued.

Alliant Techsystems / Heckler & Koch OICW (USA)
the OICW, also known as Alliant SABRE or S.A.B.R.(Selectable Assault Battle Rifle)
Caliber: 5.56 mm NATO (KE) and 20x85mm (HE)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt (KE), unknowh (HE)
Overall length: 890 mm
Barrel length: 250 mm (KE) 460 mm (HE)
Weigth: ca 5.5 kg empty; ca 6.8 kg loaded
Magazine capacity: 30 rds box (KE) and 6 rds box (HE)


The OICW (Objective Individual Combat Weapon) is very ambitious project of the US military that should enter the service circa 2009. Initially, two teams were selected to made prototypes, but in the 2000 one team, leaded by Alliant Techsystems Inc., won the contract for further development. This team also consist of Heckler&Koch, Dynamit Nobel and some other companies.

The key idea behind the OICW programme is to increase effectivnes of the soldier and the kill probability. To achieve this, the OICW has three major components: the Kinetic Energy (KE) module, which is, in fact, modified Heckler-Koch G36 asault rifle, High Explosive (HE) module, which is a semi-automatic, magazine fed 20mm grenade launcher, and computerized day/night sighting system with integrated laser rangefinder and fire control unit. The system is advertized as being (or GOING TO BE) 5 times more lethal than current M16A2 / M203 combo.

The design of the KE module has nothing new behind it. The only one unusual thind is a set of buttons on the left side of the pistol handle. These buttons control fire computer and laser rangefinder, as well as selection of fire mode (KE or HE).

The HE module fires 20mm high-velocity grenades. These grenades had programmable fuzes, that could be set for Air Burst mode (grenade explodes at the specified range above the target; range is set via Fire Control module from laser rangefinder), or for Point Detonation (grenade explodes upon impact).

For obvious reasons the KE module could be separated from HE / Fire Control modules and used as a typical assault rifle with iron sights, but without buttstock. The separated HE module is completely useless since it uses KE module trigger to operate.

The military plans an initial order of 45,000 units, and for them to be fielded with special units by 2006.

Some thoughts on the OICW from one of several firearm sites I frequent:

Now - some private opinions
The OICW, to be effective, relies upon computerized fire control module. Both KE and HE modules could be fired with iron sights, but this greatly reduces the overall effectivness of the system, so as soon as the batteries goes off, or the computer/optics/laser get any damage, you'd better throw the Fire Control module away... But it costs more than half of the whole system price, and that's some 5000 dollars (probably, much more), so guess what the soldier should do when the Fire Control module fails...
Another point is that 20mm programmable ammunition is no way the cheap round.
Third, the whole system is bulky and cost a small fortune...

Resume: In my opinion, the OICW is a weapon for so called "peace-keeping" operatrions - low intensivity conflicts, when US troops had always good supplies (of batteries and spare parts) and carry the weapons for limited time (forgot about weeks-long raids beyond enemy lines). It also costs too much, and now i'm doubtful about the plans to issue the OICW to every 4 soldiers in every Infantry squad of the US Army, USMC etc (the OICW is intended to replace M16/M203 combos and M249 SAWs, as well as some M16s or M4s).

 

[MythandLore]

The only link I know about is this
http://popularmechanics.com/popmech/sci/9809STMIP.html

Its from 1998 after the trials of it were completed, I believe it is now in service in some units. Also I think "Ghost Recon" has a character that uses one, not sure how many of the features they intergrated into the game.

Aww.
You beat me to posting info...
That PM article is kinda old but the info is still really good.

 

[SableWyvern]

Thanks.

Very interesting.

Must say, I don't think I'd enjoy carrying one. It would want to be _very_ effective. And it's certainly not soldier-proof.

Of course, the Australian army is still using the M79 (apparently trouble with Steyr AUG barrels and M203s - although the New Zealander's have been using Steyr/203s for some time). Guess it couldn't be much worse than carrying a Steyr and an M79 and ammo for both. And it would definitely be fun to play with.

Anyway, thanks again.

Oh, and yeah it is in Ghost Recon. I liked using them, although the only obvious difference to the M16/203 was the grenade capacity (20 v 3 IIRC).

 

[DMaple]

It "weighs less"... No.
M16A2 3.77kg - OICW 5.5 kg empty, 6.8 kg loaded (To me that's damn heavy)
And it is still more bulky.
It's to darn bulky.
Bulky bulky bulky.
And I don't know where you heard it was cheaper...
But the OICW is $10,000 to $12,000 each, and $25-$30 a pop for the 20mm ammunition.
A normal M16a2 (no lancher or "night scope") cost the US govenment less then $600.
That's why places like Israel use it instead of their own TAR-21 (which is a great gun), because the the M16A2 is one of the cheapest (reliable) assault rifles being manufactured.

Cheaper and lighter than buying an M16A2, with GL, Nightscope, Rangerfinder and all the other features. Is what I said not the M16A2 on its own.