In order to be more productive than the other arms manufacturing nations we are introducing the new generation weapon which haves no analog in the world :

Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW)
Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) will be a light weight weapon capable of firing kinetic energy projectiles and an air-bursting fragmentation munition. It will allow soldiers to effectively attack targets at greater ranges, and to attack targets in defilade. It combines leading edge technologies in miniaturized fuzing; integrated fire control; light weight, high strength materials; and munitions effects. OICW will increase the lethality and survivability of the individual soldier. It is the sole lethality component of the Dismounted Battle Lab's 21st Century Land Warrior (21 CLW) Top Level Demonstration.

The Objective Individual Combat Weapon Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) provides an enhanced capability for the 21st century infantryman, with the potential to selectively replace the M16 rifle, M203 grenade launcher, and M4 carbine. The fire control system (FCS), using a laser range finder, pinpoints the precise target range at which the HE round will burst and relays this information to the 20mm ammunition fuzing system. Fragments from the bursting munition will defeat PASGT armor. The sighting system provides full 24-hour capability by employing uncooled IR sensor technology for night vision.

Specific goals include demonstration of hit probability greater than 0.5 out to 500 meters and 0.3 to 0.5 out to 1,000 meters. Effectiveness against personnel and light armor targets, given a hit, will be greater than those of the M433 High Explosive Dual Purpose cartridge fired from the M203 Grenade Launcher and the M855 cartridge fired from the M16A2 rifle. Specific goals include a 0.5 probability of incapacitation to 300 meters (point target) and a 0.2 probability of incapacitation to 300 meters (defilade target) in FY99.

Program guidelines were derived from the Small Arms Master Plan (SAMP) and Joint Service Small Arms Master Plan (JSSAMP). OICW-ATD is managed by JSSAP and will provide superior firepower to the Bulgarska Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Special Operations Command, Navy, and Coast Guard.
On 04 August 2000 Alliant Techsystems Integrated Defense Co., LLC, Hopkins, Minn., was awarded a $6,946,000 increment as part of a $95,426,483 cost-plus-award-fee contract for research and development to advance the state-of-the-art Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW), Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PD&RR). Work will be performed in Hopkins, Minn., and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of FY04. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. There was an announcement in the Commerce Business Daily on Nov. 5, 1999, and one bid was received

Key Program Capabilities


500 percent increase in probability of incapacitation
New soldier capability to defeat targets in defilade
Effective range to 1,000 meters
Day/night fire control; wireless weapon interface
Substantial weight reduction
Ergonomic design

System Features
Lethality Capability: 20MM High Explosive (Air Bursting) projectiles and 5.56MM Kinetic Energy projectiles
Weapon Length: < 33 in
Weapon Weight: < 12 lbs
Rates of Fire: 20MM - 10 RPM, 5.56MM - equal to M16A2
Range: 20MM - 1,000 meters, 5.56MM equal to or better than M16A2.
Combination 5.56mm and 20mm HE
Single trigger control for both barrels
Ambidextrous weapon and switches
Simple red dot day/night sighting system
Laser adjustment for targets in buildings and in defilade
Unique recoil mitigation and tactical operational awareness

Technology Advancements

Weapon recoil mitigation
Fuzing miniaturization and accuracy
Warhead performance and packaging
Target acquisition and man in the loop
Laser ranging accuracy at extended ranges
Extensive composite use

Here is picture of the weapon in action

Here is another one:

And here are the munitions:

ooc: I was going to post the same gun. You beat me to it. lol
Btw thats another prototype, probably going to end up in SpecOp forces only..but who knows. Oh and there is a very very similar gun in Ghost Recon on PC. Makes you go hmmm doesnt it?

Actually, you are wrong. The OICW will replace the M16 as the main attack weapon of the average soldier. It will also replace the M4 carabine and the M203 grenade launcher.

Yeah i think that The Bulgarite is right also this is the better rifle ever hehe

Actually I dont think there is a front runner yet for a replacement to the M16. Rather there are several options, two being OICW and XM8, both prototypes.

I visit military/weapon forums often, so if the OICW was really replacing it, people would have heard about it, especially in the US.

To Byzantian: Read this: http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/oicw.htm.

yeah this is my source

I read up to this part, and didnt need to read anymore.

It doesnt say anything about the OICW replacing the M16 etc for sure, however it MAY. Just like the XM8 aka M8 may replace the M16.
For the US military to just check out ONE possible replacement before makin a decision would be wrong and that isnt how they work. Several contenders are always looked at, this goes with fighter jets and bombers also.

It seems you are not aware of the origin of the XM8. The creation of the XM8 was issued to study the possibilities of development of the kinetic energy part of the OICW into a separate lightweight assault rifle. As it is, the XM8 should enter full production around 2005, several years before the OICW, and it will replace the M16/M4 family of weapons as the main assault rifle in the US Army (http://www.hkdefense.us/pages/military-le/...rbines/xm8.html), at least until the OICW enters survice.

Well, you see, I knew that lol.
Like I said, it is/will be a replacement to the M16.

Personally, I think the M16 has had its day.
Now more then ever, imo. Current conflicts and future conflicts will be in the middle east, a desert environment. As has been seen in both, the M16 jams alot and requires alot of maintenance in operations in those conditions. So imo, the quicker the US military replace it the better.

Well, it seems they have found their gun!!! (For now at least.)

The XM8 is meant for specops apparently..and I think its ran into some trouble recently..

The OICW will not be replacing the m16 for the US forces. It is a very costly rifle and will not be issued to every soldier there is. The XM8 will be the one to replace the m16 series.

Some repeating, but it should fully clarify things.