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The XM8 uses the core of the XM29 OICW project (also under development by H&K), namely its kinetic energy components, which are a derivative of the H&K G36 rifle, which is based on the Armalite AR-18. Following the indefinite delay of the OICW project, Heckler & Koch redesigned the kinetic energy component of the OICW and began emphatically marketing it to the U.S. Department of Defense.
XM8 prototype testing will continue through summer 2004 with the formal "decision to adopt" by the United States Army scheduled for September. A positive decision would lead to initial production in early 2005 with the first fielding later that year. The XM8 would then be renamed the M8 .
The materials used to build the XM8 are almost entirely composites, causing it to be 20% lighter than the M4 (in similar configurations). Four different models have been proposed: a compact PDW (personal defense weapon) with a 9.5 inch barrel (24 cm), a carbine with a 12.5 inch barrel (32 cm), sniper and SAW variants with 20 inch barrels (51 cm), along with some accessories such as scopeThe scope of a given activity or subject is the area or range that it covers. In computer programming, scope is the range in which a variable can be referenced. See scope (programming). In project management, scope is the sum total of all projects products and bipod s. Like the M4 and M-16, it is chambered for the standard 5.56 mm NATO round and is normally equipped with a 30-round box magazineA magazine is a chamber in a gun in which ammunition is held. The cartridges in the magazine are loaded into the weapon, automatically or manually depending on the type of gun and usually but not always by a spring. The most common type of magazine is the, although 100-round drum magazines can be used if necessary.
One of the XM8's unique features is its modularity, which allows for quick repairs and caliber changes. In addition, preliminary tests in ArizonaArizona was the 48th state admitted to the United States and is part of the Southwest United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, south and east of the Colorado River, bordering New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California and Mexico. Its major cities ar deserts have shown it to be an extremely rugged weapon, capable of firing 25,000 rounds before any overhaul is necessary, compared 7,000–8,000 for the M16A2.
However, in terms of size and muzzle velocity, despite Heckler & Koch's marketing campaign to portray the XM8 as a revolutionary weapons system, the XM8 is virtually identical to the existing M4 and G36 weapons. In point of fact, the M4 carbine, with a shorter overall length than the XM8, possesses a longer barrel (14.5 inches) than its potential replacement (12.5 inches).
Along with its basic components, the XM8 will complement the XM29, with such features as identical accessory mounts. In the future, these weapons will meet the small-arms needs of the U.S. Army.
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