It is being called the "Korean New Rifle" as of now. Looks like they perfected the OICW that the Army gave up on. Not only that but they aren't even bothering with any kind of limited distribution or field test. It's supposedly going to be standard issue in the entire ROK Army (and MC I would assume) within 2 years.

Description from wikipedia:
"Equipped with a laser range-finder as well as a ballistics computer, it allows the operator to engage in precision attacks against the target.

A computer scope is integrated to the gun, which in turn is linked to a goggle with digital display that can be used both during the day as well as night with thermal imaging, and inform the operator with various data such as target range.

Aside from being able to fire 20 to 30 rounds of standard 5.56 mm NATO munitions depending on the size of the magazine provided, there is a 20 mm air-burst grenade launcher that can hold six grenade rounds to be used to take out multiple targets.

The weapon is planned for distribution within the Republic of Korea Army starting in 2010, making it the world's first army to use an airburst rifle as standard issue in the military.

Specifications
Weight 6.1kg empty (13.4 lbs)

Length 860 mm

Barrel length
KE Module - 250 mm
HE Module - 460 mm

Caliber
KE Module - 5.56x45mm NATO
HE Module - 20 mm

Action Gas operated, rotating bolt

Muzzle velocity
200m/s (20mm HEAB)

Effective range
500m (20mm HEAB)
300m (5.56mm NATO)

Feed system
KE Module - Various STANAG Magazines
HE Module - 6 round box

For anyone unfamiliar with the OICW it was formerly the Army's pet project before they scrapped it and tried for the XM8 which also failed. The intent was to combine the 5.56 component with 20mm airburst grenades linked to a computer so you could for instance fire at a target behind cover and the computer would automatically detonate the grenades at the appropriate distance/height. It never got past the prototype stage and looked something like this.



There are some pretty obvious questions here: weight of the weapon, logistical issues with the HE ammo and batteries for the computer, durability of the electronics, and the little issue that you have no freaking way to aim the weapon accurately if this digital goggle setup ****s the bed. But they seem to have enough confidence in it to equip their entire ground force with it, with a couple million North Korean troops watching no less.

Thoughts?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Funkymustafa,

This is what the love child looks like of an M4, H&K SCAR, 20mm GL, Super-Duper PAS 13, crazy Asian futuristic rifle concepts and a pair of bipods have a massive drunken orgy one night.

Does it come with a bottle opener?

Last September I was at Benning going through Javelin School. While attending, there was a "weapons/weapons systems" expo. It had a whole slew of awesome toys that are new and upcoming. One in particulat was that "future warrior system" dressed up on a mannequin. Let me tell you when I envision the absolute goat-fu(k that would ensue if they actually made people wear these things. It was covered in wires and various other parts that would most certainly become snagged on anything while moving in even the most sparsely-vegetated area.

When I suggested that they should streamline it, possibly by implementing "blue-tooth" like components.....I was just looked at like I had a di(k growing out of my forehead.

These are the people that make our equipment.

quote:

Originally posted by __Apollo__:
Last September I was at Benning going through Javelin School. While attending, there was a "weapons/weapons systems" expo. It had a whole slew of awesome toys that are new and upcoming. One in particulat was that "future warrior system" dressed up on a mannequin. Let me tell you when I envision the absolute goat-fu(k that would ensue if they actually made people wear these things. It was covered in wires and various other parts that would most certainly become snagged on anything while moving in even the most sparsely-vegetated area.

When I suggested that they should streamline it, possibly by implementing "blue-tooth" like components.....I was just looked at like I had a di(k growing out of my forehead.

These are the people that make our equipment.

Awsome!! And yes I am drunk. Colelge freshman rule.

This just looks awkward and cumbersome. I've trained with the ROKs and I just don't know about this one.

I've worked with the ROKs too. And, quite frankly, it seems right up their alley. At the end, I was less than impressed with their "bad-azzness" that I heard so much about prior. Dudes were trying to hump air-mattresses for cryin' out loud. Not only that, but our attack on their NDP was nixed (in the movement to contact phase, no less) because the ROKs...get this, "Don't train past midnight".

Matt, did you ever have the pleasure of watching their Kung Fu/ Tak Wan Do/ Jazzercise demonstration set to the exhilarating sound of Brittany Spears? They sure can beat the hell out of bricks.

From looking at your profile, it looks like we were on Oki during the same stop move/loss epidemic. So I guess we saw the same gay little korean choreographed-karate demonstration.

The Phillipines was the sh*t.

What a dumb piece of garbage. Just have a dedicated 20mm airburst weapon and give that to somebody who is totally down to tear some **** up.

quote:

Originally posted by Thrust_0311:
What a dumb piece of garbage. Just have a dedicated 20mm airburst weapon and give that to somebody who is totally down to tear some **** up.

I agree,The weight of the whole system is terrible compared to the M-4,But as you mentioned a mag-fed 20mm(5-10)rds with decent optics could come in handy especially if you could use the entire 20mm arsenal(AP,Air burst,HE etc.)I'm picturing something along the lines of a Saiga shotgun setup.If you could keep the recoil reasonable it could actually work.

quote:

Originally posted by __Apollo__:
From looking at your profile, it looks like we were on Oki during the same stop move/loss epidemic. So I guess we saw the same gay little korean choreographed-karate demonstration.

The Phillipines was the sh*t.

I never made it to PI, we got stuck on the Harpers Ferry doing the Oki 500, going around and around and around.

quote:

Originally posted by Muztang11:

quote:

Originally posted by Thrust_0311:
What a dumb piece of garbage. Just have a dedicated 20mm airburst weapon and give that to somebody who is totally down to tear some **** up.

I agree,The weight of the whole system is terrible compared to the M-4,But as you mentioned a mag-fed 20mm(5-10)rds with decent optics could come in handy especially if you could use the entire 20mm arsenal(AP,Air burst,HE etc.)I'm picturing something along the lines of a Saiga shotgun setup.If you could keep the recoil reasonable it could actually work.

The only problem is range. I got laughed at last time I said this but I think it's viable: If the burst distance is dictated by the number of rotations, then the weapon should have a setting to mechanically change the rotation speed of the round and thereby change the range at which it will burst. Of course, hitting a target will mean an instant burst. Other than that, it should have at least settings for 30m, 100m, and 200m.

quote:

Originally posted by HollywoodMarine:
Does it come with a bottle opener?

No kidding. The Galil does, and that rifle actually works...

hey we can't never judge anything until we actually shoot one of those.

Now I've done a thing or two, and granted I've never ever worked with ROK Marines, even though I heard they were badass. But I just don't see the average Korean male humpin that *****.

quote:

Originally posted by Godfather03:
I heard they were badass.

Brace yourself for disappointment.

quote:

Originally posted by Godfather03:
Now I've done a thing or two, and granted I've never ever worked with ROK Marines, even though I heard they were badass. But I just don't see the average Korean male humpin that *****.

It aint just humpin it. How do you expect to do anything with a clunky piece of garbage like that? How do you reach your frags, or fix a bayonet to rip the guts out of a commie faggot with and then smash his fuckin grape before having to get over a berm really fast?

quote:

Originally posted by __Apollo__:

quote:

Originally posted by Godfather03:
I heard they were badass.

Brace yourself for disappointment.

I'll tell you what I wasn't dissapointed with. Thai midget kick boxing. That was the funniest thing I've ever seen hands down.

quote:

Originally posted by __Apollo__:
From looking at your profile, it looks like we were on Oki during the same stop move/loss epidemic. So I guess we saw the same gay little korean choreographed-karate demonstration.

The Phillipines was the sh*t.

You guys must have replaced us on Oki. We left the USS Essex and then Oki the middle of July 2002. That was definately the funnest deployment I had.