XM8 series

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The XM8 was the US Army project name for new lightweight assault rifle system. US Army hoped to create new standard and highly modifiable infantry rifle but in 2005, the project was formally canceled. ~7500 prototypes of this weapon still exist, now held by the US Army. The weapon was designed to use 5.56x45mm NATO cartridges and is able to fire up to 750 rounds per minute. Armoury Description

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The XM8 series is a modular assault rifle used exclusively by ION private military contractors in ArmA 2. It was added with the release of the Private Military Company DLC.

Variants

• XM8
• XM8 M320
• XM8 Compact
• XM8 Automatic Rifle
• XM8 Sharpshooter

XM8 5.56 mm
Faction	ION
Type	Assault Rifle
Calibre	5.56×45 mm NATO / 5.56×45 mm NATO SD
Magazine capacity	30
Dispersion	0.00175 rad (semi) 0.00175 rad (burst) 0.00175 rad (full)
Variants	XM8 CQC, XM8 M320, XM8 Compact, XM8 Automatic Rifle, XM8 Sharpshooter
Games

The XM8 is a 5.56 mm assault rifle used exclusively by ION PMCs in ArmA 2. It was added with the release of the Private Military Company DLC.

Overview

This asset partially requires the Private Military Company DLC.

The XM8 is a gas operated, selective-fire assault rifle with a rotating bolt that is chambered to fire the 5.56×45 mm NATO round. It forms the baseline model on which all other sub-variants of the XM8 are based on.

It can load from either 30-round STANAG or G36-type plastic magazines, is able to attain a fire rate of up to 760 rounds per minute, and has a muzzle velocity of 920 m/s.

It uses an integrated non-magnified reflex sight that can project an IR laser, and can be zeroed up to a maximum range of 800 metres by default. Some variants can accept muzzle suppressor attachments.

Designed to be a modular weapons platform that can be easily adapted for different battlefield roles, the baseline XM8 (like its sub-variants) is a lightweight rifle prototype that was meant to replace both the M16A4 and M4A1. Unlike its older counterparts, the XM8 does not rely on externally-mounted accessories and uses an integrated optical sight which also combines a laser pointer for use in night fighting.

In terms of recoil management, it's comparable to the M16A4 and is very easy to control even when firing on full auto. In addition, it is far more accurate than the M16A4 while having less dispersion when shooting at targets that are at distances of up 450 metres away.

Unique to just the XM8 itself, it retains a 2-round burst mode that has almost unnoticeable recoil, and can fire as if it was on full auto while having overall less recoil than firing on full auto (depending on how fast the user pulls the trigger).

The baseline XM8 also features an additional sub-variant called the XM8 CQC. Virtually identical in all aspects, its main difference is the addition of accessory rails that allow it to be fitted with optics other than its default integrated sight like the HWS holographic sight. This sub-variant can also be fitted with a flashlight and foregrip as well.

The primary downsides to both variants are their mediocre fire rate, which pales in comparison to the M16A4 (on burst). In addition, while all variants of the XM8 have an integrated optic/laser pointer, it lacks the ability to mount medium range riflescopes like the ACOG with the exception of the LTWS thermal scope (on the XM8 TWS SD), which makes it less useful in medium-ranged firefights that extend beyond 400 metres.

XM8 M320 5.56 mm
Faction	ION
Type	Assault Rifle / UGL
Calibre	5.56×45 mm NATO / 40 mm
Magazine capacity	30 / 1
Dispersion	0.00175 rad (semi) 0.00175 rad (burst) 0.00175 rad (full)
Variants	XM8, XM8 CQC, XM8 Compact, XM8 Automatic Rifle, XM8 Sharpshooter
Games

The XM8 M320 is a 5.56 mm assault rifle used exclusively by ION PMCs in ArmA 2. It was added with the release of the Private Military Company DLC.

Overview

This asset partially requires the Private Military Company DLC.

The XM8 M320 is a modified variant of the baseline rifle that has an underbarrel grenade launcher attached.

It is completely identical statistics-wise, and can load either the standard 30-round STANAGs or G36-type plastic magazines like its parent weapon. It is however, slightly heavier to carry due to the added weight of the M320 grenade launcher and is therefore less suitable for use in close quarters.

The M320 uses a conventional flip-up leaf sight and can be loaded with a range of 40 mm high-explosive (HE), less-than-lethal (LTL) flare, and non-lethal smoke grenade rounds at distances of up to 300 metres.

XM8 Compact 5.56 mm
Faction	ION
Type	Carbine
Calibre	5.56×45 mm NATO / 5.56×45 mm NATO SD
Magazine capacity	30
Dispersion	0.002 rad (semi) 0.002 rad (burst) 0.002 rad (full)
Variants	XM8, XM8 CQC, XM8 M320, XM8 Automatic Rifle, XM8 Sharpshooter
Games

The XM8 Compact is a 5.56 mm carbine used exclusively by ION PMCs in ArmA 2. It was added with the release of the Private Military Company DLC.

Overview

This asset partially requires the Private Military Company DLC.

The XM8 Compact is a carbine variant of the baseline XM8 rifle.

While it iss essentially a short-barrelled carbine variant of the XM8, the Compact is actually more comparable to being a personal defence weapon rather than an actual carbine. As such, it has a far shorter effective range of just 200 metres, while accuracy-wise it is similar to the M4A1. It is restricted to a default zeroing of just 100 metres and cannot be manually adjusted.

The Compact uses a (non-functional) collapsible stock and is also the only variant of the XM8 besides the baseline XM8 rifle itself that can accept other types of optical sights such as the HWS holographic sight, rather than relying solely on its integrated combat sight. It is also the only other variant that is capable of utilising an externally-fitted flashlight and foregrip. In all other aspects, it isn't too different from the baseline XM8.

XM8 Automatic Rifle 5.56 mm
Faction	ION
Type	Light Support Weapon / SAW
Calibre	5.56×45 mm NATO / 5.56×45 mm NATO SD
Magazine capacity	100
Dispersion	0.002 rad
Variants	XM8, XM8 CQC, XM8 M320, XM8 Compact, XM8 Sharpshooter
Games

The XM8 Automatic Rifle is a 5.56 mm light support weapon used exclusively by ION PMCs in ArmA 2. It was added with the release of the Private Military Company DLC.

Overview

This asset partially requires the Private Military Company DLC.

The XM8 Automatic Rifle is a modified variant of the XM8 that is configured specifically as a light support weapon. As with its parent weapon, it is also chambered to fire the same 5.56 mm NATO round.

The main differences with the XM8 Automatic Rifle are that it feeds from 100-round drum magazines as opposed to 30-round STANAGs/G36-type plastic magazines; although it can still be loaded with regular magazines if the need arises. It has a (non-functional) integrated bipod and cannot accept any type of optical sights or accessories other than its integrated reflex sight.

The XM8 Automatic Rifle has the highest fire rate out of all the XM8 variants, capable of outputting up to 857 rounds per minute. Like its marksman counterpart, the XM8 Automatic Rifle also uses a full-length barrel. However, it doesn't have the same degree of accuracy that the XM8 Sharpshooter has and is also the heaviest variant of the XM8 to carry, which makes it less useful in enclosed spaces as it's simply too bulky to comfortably wield in close quarters.

XM8 Sharpshooter 5.56 mm
Faction	ION
Type	Designated Marksman Rifle
Calibre	5.56×45 mm NATO / 5.56×45 mm NATO SD
Magazine capacity	30
Dispersion	0.0007 rad (semi) 0.0007 rad (burst) 0.0007 rad (full)
Variants	XM8, XM8 CQC, XM8 M320, XM8 Compact, XM8 Automatic Rifle
Games

The XM8 Sharpshooter is a 5.56 mm designated marksman rifle used exclusively by ION PMC marksmen in ArmA 2. It was added with the release of the Private Military Company DLC.

Overview

This asset partially requires the Private Military Company DLC.

The XM8 Sharpshooter is another modified variant of the XM8 rifle but has been configured specifically to serve as a designated marksman rifle. It is still chambered to fire the 5.56 mm NATO, though it differs in that it has a full-length barrel and a (non-functional) integrated bipod.

Unlike its parent rifle, it cannot be fitted with other kinds of accessories or optical sights except for its integrated telescopic sight. It has a default zeroing range of between 100 and up to 800 metres.

Compared to the XM8 Automatic Rifle, it is lighter to carry while being the most accurate variant out of all the XM8 variants. In addition, the XM8 Sharpshooter is unique for being the only model that is fitted with a magnified optic by default. This telescopic sight has a magnification strength of 4x, and enables the operator to engage targets that are up to 700-800 metres away with a high degree of precision.

The XM8 Sharpshooter cannot be suppressed, though it can still feed from STANAG/G36-type magazines loaded with subsonic ammunition.

Camouflage

• Grey - [XM8]
• Grey - [XM8 (TWS, Suppressor)]
• Grey - [XM8 M320]
• Grey - [XM8 CQC]
• Grey - [XM8 CQC (HWS, Suppressor)]
• Grey - [XM8 CQC (TWS)]
• Grey - [XM8 Compact]
• Grey - [XM8 Compact (HWS)]
• Grey - [XM8 Automatic Rifle]
• Grey - [Sharpshooter]

1/10

• Grey: Standard medium grey finish.

Ammunition

Round name	Base damage value	Aerodynamic velocity	Initial velocity (m/s)
5.56×45 mm NATO	8	-0.001425	920
5.56×45 mm NATO SD	7	-0.0006	320

For grenade rounds usable with the M320, refer to its dedicated article here.

All variants of the XM8 (including the XM8 Automatic Rifle) can be loaded with six types of 5.56 mm magazines. The 100-round drums take up two inventory slots but regular 20- and 30-round magazines use one slot only:

G36 Mag.

Standard 30-round plastic magazine. Also shared with the G36 family.

Does not contain any visible tracers.

30rnd G36 SD

Loaded with subsonic 5.56 mm ammunition. It fires rounds with greatly reduced velocities of 320 m/s, but remain otherwise identical to regular plastic magazines.

MG36 Mag.

100-round Beta-C drum specifically intended for use with the XM8 Automatic Rifle variant.

Aside from its capacity it is completely identical to regular 30-round plastic magazines.

30Rnd. STANAG

Alternate 30-round magazine used by M16A4 rifles and M4A1 carbines.

It is largely identical to the XM8's standard plastic magazines, but rounds fired from this magazine specifically have a slightly higher muzzle velocity of 930 m/s instead.

30Rnd. STANAG SD

Specialised magazine loaded with subsonic 5.56 mm ammunition. Identical to regular 30-round STANAGs save for a much lower velocity of 320 m/s.

20Rnd. STANAG

20-round box magazine. Remains otherwise identical to regular 30-round STANAGs.

Trivia

• As mentioned in its Armoury Description, the real-life Heckler & Koch "XM8" rifle was originally slated to replace both the "M16" rifle and "M4" carbine series of weapons throughout the U.S. Armed Forces prior its formal cancellation in 2005.
• Along with the Mk16/Mk17 family, it is one of the few modular rifle platforms that are currently available for use in ArmA 2. It would only be matched by the MX in ArmA 3, which is almost identical to the XM8 in terms of the types of variants that it has.
  • The ability to load and feed from Beta-C drum magazines is a capability that is unique to both the G36's MG36 variant as well as the SPAR-16S that would eventually be added with ArmA 3's Apex expansion pack.
• Though it was actually included on ArmA 2's release, the XM8 family only included the basic variants without additional optical sights and accessories, while also remaining unused by any faction prior to the release of the Private Military Company DLC.
• It is stated to be the product of Sister Systems, an Armaverse arms manufacturer.

The information below details unused, pre-release or removed content.

• Hidden models and textures for the XM8 could previously be found within the game files for ArmA: Armed Assault (specifically a now-removed data file titled "weapons2.pbo"). The files were quickly removed after the release of Patch 1.08, however, suggesting that the XM8 was presumably intended to make its debut in Armed Assault rather than in ArmA 2.

Gallery

Brian Frost (left) can be seen armed with a customised XM8 CQC. Note the TPIAL laser pointer and barely visible foregrip behind it.

External links

• Wikipedia: Heckler & Koch XM8
• Wikipedia: M320 Grenade Launcher Module

See also

Weapons of comparable role and configuration

• Mk16/Mk17 (U.S. Army counterpart, ArmA 2: OA only)
• G36 (KSK counterpart, ArmA 2: OA only)
• MX (NATO counterpart, ArmA 3 only)

ION Services - Armoury (ArmA 2)
Handguns	G17 9 mm • M9 9 mm
Shotguns	AA-12
Carbines	M4A1 5.56 mm (M4A3) • XM8 Compact 5.56 mm
Assault rifles	FN FAL 7.62 mm • M16A2 M203 5.56 mm • XM8 series (XM8, XM8 M320)
Designated marksmen rifles	XM8 Sharpshooter 5.56 mm
Sniper rifles	AS50 12.7 mm • KSVK 12.7 mm
Squad automatic weapons	XM8 Automatic Rifle 5.56 mm
Machineguns	PKM 7.62 mm
Launchers	FIM-92F Stinger • RPG-18
(Parenthesis) denote variants. Operation Arrowhead | Private Military Company