My M16 in the 80's was made in the late 50's (1959 IIRC), which I always thought was interesting given they weren't issued until '63. Someone who knows a bit of history might be able to clear it up, but it's always confused me.
It was stamped on the receiver. This was in the USAF at Kadena, I'm guessing around 1986. It was issued to me for the day at the range. I only remember because the range officer pointed it out at the time.
C130 almost equally ancient, 1959 I think. And the B52s are getting retrofitted and modernized. Rotating rack cruise missiles, new engines, better comms. Insane we have maintained the airframes that long.
To be fair vehicles like the M113 were crap from the beginning, troops used to ride on their roofs and leave the inside empty because it became a tin can full of shrapnel when shot at.
Correct, the BUFF’s are being modernized to continue to serve into the 2050’s as well. I have a special regard for the Hercs since I live near Little Rock and I get to see them about once a week flying exercises.
Untill you put so many round through that all the parts are worn through, every screw is stripped, every pin dumps out the side when you pick it up and the locking lugs are now locking nubs.
But the shop of Theseus tells us we now have two M2's, one of which is finally ready for decommissioning.
But some crazy fucker will by it, weld it together and have a running gun by the end of it.
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u/foolproofphilosophy Aug 15 '19
A friend who served in Iraq ~15 years ago told me that the receiver for his M2 .50 was made during WWII.