I solved their new battle rifle and long range bullet problem for them a year or so ago,and even did it cheaply,yet nobody wants to listen. Probably because there aren't millions of dollars in development money to scam out of the military budget.
Here is the solution. Have the senior purchase officer in the Army call FN in Belgium and say "I would like to order a ship load (NOT a misspelling for those of you with THAT type of mind!)
of FN-FAL's chambered for the 7x57mm Mauser round." Hell,the adjustable gas system is a key design point for the system,so the one rifle can reliably handle a variety of bullet weights. Have the company armorer cut the chamber a little deeper for the heavier bullets,and you have a fine sniper rifle. Don't need it for a sniper rifle,no problem. Adjust the gas system and it will shoot the lighter bullets with no problems.
This is a rifle that has been used by over 90 countries as a main battle rifle,and WOULD have been used by the US instead of the M-14 if there hadn't been a "MUST buy American" policy in place at that time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_FALWHY does the military keep trying to re-invent the wheel,and bill the taxpayers for it?
Yeah,the 5.56 round was ok for less than 300 yard shots and jungle warfare,but with the wide-open ranges in the Muddle East,the military needs a rifle that chambers a round that is longer and heavier so it will shoot further and won't get blown around by the wind so badly. The 7x57mm Mauser round will fit that bill nicely,and has the added bonus of already being an inventory item in the FN warehouses. No millions of dollars and months of testing to get it ready for production. Make a freaking phone call,tell them what you want,how many thousands you want in the initial order,and the unit price including magazines,spare parts,and shipping.
It really IS that freaking simple. Hang up the phone,sign a purchase order,and the first shipment will be on it's way to the US in a week.