OT: Interesting Magazine Article

[95th Rifleman]

Considering the German work on the G11 and the American advances in electronic firing presented by the metal storm system, caseless field rifles may be around sooner than people think.

lets face it, the basic firearm has gone as far as it's ever going to go. The only things that can be improved are sights, tactical attachments and ammunition.

we've pretty much exhausted the level of technological advancements in the way of sighing systems with combined ACOG/reflex systems as well as man-portable nightfighting equipment.

Same with tactical attachments, we now have universal grenade launcher systems that can fit almost any rifle, the picatinny system allows for complete customisation with grips, rests, tactical lighting systems etc.

Ammunition is the sticking point, there is a huge debate on calibre at the moment with theories that the intermediate round is just not providing the first-hit kill shot needed on the battlefield. Also cased ammuntion is bulky and carries it's own set of problems and debates.

caseless ammunition is the way forward with every major country having it's own development program, the problem is technology. Issues such as premature cook off and reliable firing systems holding it back. I'd put good money on a functional, caseless rifle signed off for field use within the next 2 decades. But it won't be western, i have a feeling China or even Russia will jump ahead in this regard as the western powers have too many commitments to take caseless research all that seriously. Why fix what isn't broken when the western millitary/industrial complex is churning out NATO standard ammo effectively and safely.