ARI RESEARCH NOTE 86-19, ANALYSIS OF M16A2 RIFLE CHARACTERISTICS AND RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS (FEB-1986)

ARI RESEARCH NOTE 86-19, ANALYSIS OF M16A2 RIFLE CHARACTERISTICS AND RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS (FEB-1986)., Based on five years of marksmanship-related research for the U.S. Army, the characteristics of the M16A2 rifle developed by the Marine Corps were analyzed to determine what impact new rifle features would have on Army marksmanship training and on combat effectiveness. It was found that use of the M16A2 rifle by the Army would be extremely problematic, a-fact due, in part, to the vast differences between the marksmanship training philosophies of the Army and the Marine Corps. Numerous recommendations are presented which would result in simplified training and improved combat performance if adopted.