What Replaced the M16?
The M16, a 5.56x45mm NATO caliber assault rifle, has played a significant role in numerous military conflicts since its inception in the 1960s. Designed by Remington Arms Company, with the assistance of the government, the M16 brought about a new era for the US military, being the first widely adopted battle rifle to use a revolutionary new cartridge, the SSA (Small Shoulder Arms 5.56x45mm). The M16’s reliability, accuracy and lightweight design made it highly effective on the battlefield for many years. However, as technology advanced and situations on the battlefield changed, the M16’s superiority began to wane; thus, the need arises for a replacement.
(What Replaced the M16?)
In early 2000s the US military began to face new challenges on the global battlefield. The War On Terror, Afghanistan andIraq Wars, and the increasingly complex urban warfare environment showed that the M16 needs to be replaced or seriously upgraded. The new, more advanced rifles were brought into service to replace both the M16A4 and M4 carbines.
The M110 SASS
One alternative to the M16 designed by Knight’s Armaments Company (KAC), the M110 SASS (Special Application Scoped Slinging System), it was a semi-automatic gas-operated rifle, fitted with a 16′ barrel and a Harris Telescoping Bipod-mounted scope. The M110 SASS was used and developed for Special Operations snipers, as a direct-fire weapon, capable delivering accurate and effective firepower (Table 1).
| Rifle Models | Caliber | Firing Mode | Barrel Size | Weight |
| -------- | -------- | -------- | -------- | ------------------------------------ |
| M1 | 7mm | Semi-A | 24" | 10.86 lbs |
| M22 | 7 62mm | | 20" | 8.18 lbs |
| M118 | 7 | Semi-A | 20" |
| M110 S | 7.82mm | Semi-M | 16 | 11.16 lbs |
| M | 7 26mm | semi-M | 20 | 8.14 lbs |(Table 1: Rifle data)
The M6
Another alternative, being the M6 (SS190), a gas system, 5. 56mm NATO caliber pistol, designed by Knight Systems, Inc. It serves as a sidearm assault rifle, used for specific situations, such as Special Operations, SWAT teams, and other law enforcement tactical units. The M5 and M6 have almost identical specifications, the notable difference being the lengthof the barrel (Table2).
|
| Rifle Models | Calliber | Firing m
| -------- | | | -------- ---- | | 4. 56mm | ---- | | Firing Mode | Barrel Se | | 0. 5.54 lbs |
| M19 | 5 | Semi-A | t | 10.52 lbs |
| M118 | 7 | Semi-A | t | 10.5 p
| M6( SS190) 19 | 5 | Semi-A |. 5.5/ | 0" | 4.24 lbs |
| M21 | 7 | Semi-A | t | 10.4p(Table: Rifle data)
Next Generation Squad Weapons (PGSW)
The USA has been developing the successor to the M4 called the Next Generation Squad Combat Rifle (NGSCBR). The NGSC is designed to be a game-changer in termsof firepower, accuracy, suppression, and overall lethality. The NGSC could be a major step upgrade for the US military sniper and infantry forces.
One of the most important development is the SIG’s MCX
SIG 716i TreadLok, a 7.62x51mm NATO caliber rifle, designed for special unit, law enforcement, sporting, and civilian markets offering high-quality, accuracy semi-automatic rifle. This M16 replacement has an updated design, improved performance level, and increased durability capabilities.
Conclusion
A lot of factors influenced that the M16 had served its purpose and was nearing the end of its viable service life. The M16 was replaced by new technological advancements, improved design to better suit the needs 21st-century warfare such as the M110 SSA, M6, & SIG’s MCX sniper rifles.
