I wasn't privy to this info until now. Anyone here see one in person?
Oh, and I should've said "soon-to-be new rifle".
Here are some quoted obsevations of the "XM8"
"• It's more versatile than the old M-16 rifle it will replace and should fire thousands of rounds before jamming, rather than the few hundred shots before the M-16 typically jams.
• It's much easier to clean and maintain.
• Training time is reduced since it's a single weapon that can be modified to fire short distances, long distances, launch grenades, etc.
• It should last longer, with barrels able to fire 15,000 rounds before being replaced rather than the 6,000 to 9,000 rounds it takes to wear out an M-16 barrel. Developers are trying to push the XM8 barrels to 20,000 rounds before replacement.
The XM8 will cost more to make initially, but should settle into a full-rate production cost of $600 to $700 a copy. That compares to $500 for the M-16 and $950 for the M4 carbine."
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Aug/23/mn/mn01a.html