The Marine Corps Times is reporting the US Marines may field about 4100 H&K Infantry Automatic Rifles (IAR) in the fall of 2010. The H&K IAR is in testing now after being selected from a group of other rifles to replace the M249 SAW in certain units.
The H&K IAR is a variant of the H&K416 chambered in 5.56mm and is intended to replace the SAW in infantry squads and recon scout teams. Some in the Marine Corps consider the IAR to be more accurate than the M249, while others question if the IAR’s 30 round magazines can establish the same fire superiority the 200-round, belt fed M249 can.
The ultimate decision to field the IAR rests with the Marine Corps’ commandant who will likely make a decision later this year.
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