Advanced Combat Rifle: The U.S. Army Spent $300 Million on a Total Dud
Story by Travis Pike • 22h • 5 min read
© Provided by National Interest
Summary and Key Points: The U.S. Army's Advanced Combat Rifle (ACR) program aimed to replace the M16 rifle with a more advanced design but ultimately failed to find a suitable successor. Launched in 1985, the program explored new ammunition types and weapon technologies.
-After extensive testing in 1989, four rifle designs—Colt ACR, AAI ACR, Steyr ACR, and HK G11—reached the final phase.
-Despite showcasing innovative features like duplex rounds, saboted flechettes, and caseless ammunition, none offered enough improvement over the M16A2 to justify the logistical overhaul needed.
-The ACR program was discontinued in 1990, having spent $300 million.
Why the U.S. Army's Advanced Combat Rifle Program Failed
The service life of the M16 and its descendants is unparalleled. Throughout M16’s life, numerous programs attempted to replace it – but none succeeded. One of the most interesting was the Army’s ACR, or Advanced Combat Rifle, program. Unlike other programs, the goal of the ACR program was rather open-ended allowing arms manufacturers to come up with some fascinating designs.
The ACR program can be traced back to 1980 when the U.S. House Committee on Armed Services asked the Joint Service Small Arms program to conduct a study on the M16A1 and find out if it was still a competent rifle and the best choice for the military.
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