EmericD said:

So, the US Army "could" not only replace the M4 & M249 in the infantry role (the goal of the NGSW program - and keep the M4 for the PDW role), but also finally replace all & every M4 in service, even for non-infantry purpose... that's an interesting move.

And it's an inevitable move, IMO, for logistics, training, and soldier morale.

* Logistics -- Simplifies ammo production and distribution, with one caliber vs two calibers.

* Training --- All personnel train on rifles of the same type and caliber.

* Morale ----- Soldiers armed with a 6.8 PDW will feel their lives are as important as front-line infantry.

I distribute the whole range Silent Steel cans in our country, and since suppressors are now 100% unregulated in our country also manufacture a bunch of different designs,modular designs with optional add-on barrel tuners and muzzle brakes. Silent Steel is a very new company but offers class leading baffle less flowthrough designs here in Europe when it comes to backpressure and is still on par with other low back pressure designs noise suppression here in Europe ,designs are full auto rated and user serviceable

You have many excellent designs in US but whole tax stamp shitshow skyrockets the prices 

After 20 years. I cannot figure it out at all

It seems NGSW has recently gotten a Wikipedia entry:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Generation_Squad_Weapon_Program

Pretty bare bones. I'm not sure how one edits / writes for Wiki but it could definitely stand to be fleshed out. 

Interestingly it currently lists Textron as failed competitor. 

Mr. T (MrT4) said:

You can use such micro type unit , just so that you don't need double ear protection. Silent Steel Micro Streamer from Finland adds only 50mm in lenght but you would be looking at well over 150+DB with 9' barrel.

Did you compared it with the simple Rotex "blast deflector" proposed by B&T?

Mr. T (MrT4) said:

I distribute the whole range Silent Steel cans in our country, and since suppressors are now 100% unregulated in our country also manufacture a bunch of different designs,modular designs with optional add-on barrel tuners and muzzle brakes.

Very cool. 

Yeah we're pretty much the reverse here in the US - minimally regulated guns, extremely regulated suppressors. 

stancrist said:

And it's an inevitable move, IMO, for logistics, training, and soldier morale.

* Logistics -- Simplifies ammo production and distribution, with one caliber vs two calibers.

* Training --- All personnel train on rifles of the same type and caliber.

* Morale ----- Soldiers armed with a 6.8 PDW will feel their lives are as important as front-line infantry.

I totally agree, that's why the initial goal of the NGSW ("to replace the M4 & M249 for infantry units only") looked strange to me.

I still have reservations about using a full power 2.8'' cartridge for the PDW + Infantry role, but I'm not the US Army. If very high pressure cartridges are viable, then a +P+ version of the 6 mm ARC seems to be a better bet.

B&T Blast deflector is not even remotely comparable , as its just a sleeve with forward opening , Micro streamer from SS has , a dual flow suppressor element to it , while not very efficient due to short length it still reduces noise some 8-10dB depending on caliber and configuration.

B&T Rotex

This is just an open sleeve redirecting the gas forward ,no reduction in noise or flash.

EmericD said:

I still have reservations about using a full power 2.8'' cartridge for the PDW + Infantry role, but I'm not the US Army.

Yeah, I have the same reservations.

EmericD said:

If very high pressure cartridges are viable, then a +P+ version of the 6 mm ARC seems to be a better bet.

Concur.  Speaking of which, I have not seen any news on military use of 6mm ARC since the original announcement by Hornady last year.  Am wondering if you -- or anyone else here -- have any new info you can share?

stancrist said:

Speaking of which, I have not seen any news on military use of 6mm ARC since the original announcement by Hornady last year. Am wondering if you -- or anyone else here -- have any new info you can share?

Nothing new.

Ours SF bought rifles & ammo, and plan to do some testing next year.