Why Is the US Abandoning the M4A1 After Two Decades?

TEHRAN (Defapress) - The US Army Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has launched the HICAR project to replace the M4A1 with a new carbine with a high rate of fire. According to Pentagon officials, the main reason for this replacement is the M4A1's reduced effectiveness against advanced body armor of emerging armies at long distances.

The new weapon, called the "Hypervelocity Improved Carbine," will increase the effective range of infantry forces from 300 to more than 600 meters. The accuracy of this weapon is announced at 1 MOA (about 3 centimeters at 100 meters), which puts it in the category of semi-precision weapons.

According to the procurement document, the body and barrel of this weapon must be able to withstand the gas pressure of up to 82,000 PSI. The weapon weighs less than 3.6 kg without ammunition, and its barrel length is 12 inches. The weapon fires 5.56×45 mm NATO ammunition.

The HICAR project is mounted on existing platforms as a structural upgrade kit and does not require changes to the lower part of the body. According to the Pentagon, this method reduces logistics costs and allows the US Army to prepare for new-generation wars more quickly.