DavidPawley said:

Whilst this is production qualification, it is somewhat concerning that AP won’t be available. Not because it might be necessary, but because it would allow discovery of issues before the production configuration for the weapons is locked in

Very concerning given AP is its reason to exist.

Hopefully they actually test the SP against real ceramic Level IV and not just RHA.

And hopefully if it turns out 6.8 is not able to defeat IV @ 200m+ this is discovered before the Army buys 100k battle rifles.

...

On the flipside, while I question the 6.8 rifle, the 6.8 lightweight LMG I do think is a great addition. Although if its not AP it would have been much better as a .264 LICC EVOLYS as Emeric described given the ammo weigh reduction. 

gatnerd said:

       DavidPawley said: Whilst this is production qualification, it is somewhat concerning that AP won’t be available.

Very concerning given AP is its reason to exist.

Methinks you guys worry too much.  Personally, I see no cause for concern.  Instead, I view the decision to conduct the PQT without SP ammo as an opportunity to cancel NGSW and change course to 6.5x43 LICC (or similar).

stancrist said:

conduct the PQT without SP ammo as an opportunity to cancel NGSW and change course to 6.5x43 LICC (or similar)

From your lips to St. John Brownings ears 

I have to ask, what is SP?

Don't recall seeing this posted here-

https://youtu.be/9rbQTnV-g0Q

SP = Special Purpose

My guess is that one reason that the NGSW energy goals were set so high was to allow GP ammo to defeat as much body armor as possible.  The goal is to keep the use of tungsten to a minimum.  Based on Buffman's tests, fast EPR bullets do a good job of defeating body armor designed to stop 5.56x45 and 7.62x51.

Oh, I’m only worried that Army won’t cancel NGSW and change course, but also:

• won’t test SP in preproduction guns
• find later that it breaks them
• they need a redesign
• which will be too difficult
• so start a program for replacement weapons.

Regrettably this seems to be the trajectory of all small arms replacement programs.

stancrist said:

SP = Special Purpose

Thanks! What does that translate into?

graylion said:

Thanks! What does that translate into?

My guess:

SP = Special Purpose = ADVAP (ADVanced AP) = tungsten carbide core EPR,

GP = General Purpose = steel core EPR = ball.