The XM8 design was originally part of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon program (OICW), which was developing a "smart" grenade launcher system with an underslung carbine rifle. The system was unable to meet performance and weight requirements and was eventually canceled.

The Objective Individual Combat Weapon or OICW was the next-generation service rifle competition that was under development as part of the United States Army OICW program; the program was eventually discontinued without bringing the weapon out of the prototype phase. The acronym OICW is often used to refer to the entire weapons program.

Dec 3, 2022 · Big Army killed the OICW project but wanted to test out the rifle that was attached to it. HK worked on the OICW and developed that standalone rifle for the program. When they began developing the XM8, they took much inspiration from their G36.

Jul 7, 2011 · The XM8 Lightweight Carbine was intended to replace existing M4 carbine and select 5.56x45mm and 9mm weapons in the US Army arsenal.

Dec 14, 2024 · The XM29 was the first prototype developed under the OICW program. It was a bullpup design, with the grenade launcher mounted on top of the rifle. The weapon was designed to be modular, with the ability to change configurations depending on the mission.

May 10, 2006 · The XM8 Modular Assault Weapon fires 5.56 x 45 mm NATO ammunition. Different barrels and modules can be swapped quickly depending on tactical situations. The XM8 is the first increment of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) Program.

Jul 7, 2011 · In 2002, the US Army's Project Manager for Soldier Weapons issued an urgent requirement for the development of a lightweight carbine, to be designated as the XM8. The US Army's Objective...

Jan 31, 2004 · If the tests are successful, the XM8 eventually could replace the Vietnam-era M16 rifle and M4 carbine as the standard weapon for infantry soldiers, according to Army Lt. Col. Mathew T. Clarke. First, however, it has to pass strenuous testing by the Army.

Mar 4, 2020 · In the 1990’s H&K developed the XM29 OICW to replace the M-16. What followed was a multiple decades-long adventure through Army weapon tests it ended in one of the offshoots of the weapon...

The Objective Individual Combat Weapon or OICW was the next-generation service rifle competition that was under development as part of the United States Army OICW program; the program was eventually discontinued without bringing the weapon out of the prototype phase. The acronym OICW is often used to refer to the entire weapons program.