{
  "id": "RS22888",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RS22888",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 363001,
      "date": "2010-06-08",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-07T01:38:07.906341",
      "title": "The Army\u2019s M-4 Carbine: Background and Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "The M-4 carbine is the Army\u2019s primary individual combat weapon for infantry units. While there have been concerns raised by some about the M-4\u2019s reliability and lethality, some studies suggest that the M-4 is performing well and is viewed favorably by users. The Army is undertaking both the M4 Carbine Improvement Program and the Individual Carbine Competition, the former to identify ways to improve the current weapon, and the latter to conduct an open competition among small arms manufacturers for a follow-on weapon. An integrated product team comprising representatives from the Infantry Center; the Armament, Research, Development, and Engineering Center; the Program Executive Office Soldier; and each of the armed services will assess proposed improvements to the M4. The proposal for the industry-wide competition is currently before the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, and with the anticipated approval, solicitation for industry submissions could begin this fall. It is expected, however, that a selection for a follow-on weapon will not occur before FY2013, and that fielding of a new weapon would take an additional three to four years. \nThis report will be updated as events warrant.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
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          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RS22888",
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          "filename": "files/20100608_RS22888_eed3bf6e9fab592d7bcf64f12c42104a2e54cd7f.html",
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          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RS22888",
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      "topics": []
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc689462/",
      "id": "RS22888_2009Aug03",
      "date": "2009-08-03",
      "retrieved": "2015-08-03T15:06:47",
      "title": "The Army's M-4 Carbine: Background and Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "This report discusses possible replacements for the M-4 carbine, most notably the Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR). This report also details results of studies and tests of the M-4 and feedback response from potential competitors.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORT",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "filename": "files/20090803_RS22888_d6da700fb8239f8345e584342c1ebed1c69daa9c.pdf"
        },
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/20090803_RS22888_d6da700fb8239f8345e584342c1ebed1c69daa9c.html"
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Weapons systems",
          "name": "Weapons systems"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Military weapons",
          "name": "Military weapons"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Army -- U.S.",
          "name": "Army -- U.S."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc26346/",
      "id": "RS22888_2009Jun24",
      "date": "2009-06-24",
      "retrieved": "2010-07-07T17:39:19",
      "title": "The Army's M-4 Carbine: Background and Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "The M-4 carbine is the Army's primary individual combat weapon for infantry units. The M-4 uses a direct gas impingement system that blows carbon from the fired cartridge back into the weapon's receiver, which can lead to weapon malfunctions. The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is replacing its M-4s with the Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR), a modular weapon with a short-stroke piston system that eliminates carbon blow back,\r\nwhich theoretically improves reliability. Some have questioned why the Army has not adopted the SCAR or another similarly designed weapon. A series of studies and tests of the M-4 and potential competitors have added to this debate, and the Army has taken steps to begin evaluating other weapons to replace the M-4.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORT",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
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          "format": "PDF",
          "filename": "files/20090624_RS22888_0daa823bd9a138635bdec98f77eb82be9c3cad5c.pdf"
        },
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/20090624_RS22888_0daa823bd9a138635bdec98f77eb82be9c3cad5c.html"
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Defense policy",
          "name": "Defense policy"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Infantry",
          "name": "Infantry"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Conventional weapons",
          "name": "Conventional weapons"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Assault weapons",
          "name": "Assault weapons"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Firearms",
          "name": "Firearms"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc743447/",
      "id": "RS22888_2009Jan27",
      "date": "2009-01-27",
      "retrieved": "2015-10-20T21:35:54",
      "title": "The Army's M-4 Carbine: Background and Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "This report discusses the M-4 carbine, which is the Army's primary individual combat weapon for infantry units. Reports suggest that soldiers have expressed concerns regarding the reliability and lethality of the M-4.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORT",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
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          "format": "PDF",
          "filename": "files/20090127_RS22888_3cd0df97b71bffea396c3c5dc954d6790a879431.pdf"
        },
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/20090127_RS22888_3cd0df97b71bffea396c3c5dc954d6790a879431.html"
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Defense policy",
          "name": "Defense policy"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Infantry",
          "name": "Infantry"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Conventional weapons",
          "name": "Conventional weapons"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Assault weapons",
          "name": "Assault weapons"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Firearms",
          "name": "Firearms"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs10752/",
      "id": "RS22888_2008May30",
      "date": "2008-05-30",
      "retrieved": "2008-12-11T20:32:20",
      "title": "The Army's M-4 Carbine: Background and Issues for Congress",
      "summary": "The M-4 carbine is the Army's primary individual combat weapon for infantry units. Due to the nature of the M-4's design, firing it can lead to weapons malfunctions. This report discusses possible replacements for the M-4, most notably the Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle (SCAR). This report also details results of studies and tests of the M-4 and feedback response from potential competitors.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORT",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "filename": "files/20080530_RS22888_03edaa907691c2e89542641b3279702c8bd8e5d3.pdf"
        },
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/20080530_RS22888_03edaa907691c2e89542641b3279702c8bd8e5d3.html"
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Weapons systems",
          "name": "Weapons systems"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Military weapons",
          "name": "Military weapons"
        },
        {
          "source": "LIV",
          "id": "Army - Weapons",
          "name": "Army - Weapons"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "topics": []
}