Army to give two brigades XM8 rifles

StrategyPage is reporting the Army will equip two brigades with the XM8 chambered for the 5.56mm cartridge (same as used in the M16/4) later this year for extended in-field testing.

This is exactly what is needed. We will find out if the functionality and reliability claims are real.

I'd also like to see tests of XM8s with the Remington 6.8mm SPC round, as the effectiveness of a firearm is obviously a function of the cartridge (bullet, shell, and powder) as well as the firearm. Lightweight 5.56mm bullets, fired out of short barrels, are going to have the same limitations no matter how handy the XM8 may be to carry and fire.

The H-K G36C carbine, with a short barrel (the XM8 is derived from the G36)

This also indicates confidence in the XM8 remains high as limited tests with a few hundred rifles continue. In the absence of open reports on these tests, indirect news like this is all we have to go on.

For more details on the XM8, check out the ACE overview of the Feb 04 Soldier of Fortune Magazine article on it.