Programa de Linha de Base Individual

The Programa de Linha de Base Individua, or Individual Baseline Program was the procurement program and competition established to select a successor to the various regular-issue assault rifles and battle rifles in use by the different branches of the Realm's Forces, its auxiliaries and the State Force Components. Set up by High Command in 1987 and administered by the Realm Procurement Board, the two-phase program saw several notable entries and lasted until 1989, concluding in one of the most controversial decisions rendered by the Realm Procurement Board to date following an unusually contentious second phase that revealed a large rift regarding the small-arms philosophy of the Realm's Forces.

The Realm is fundamentally intertwined with firearms. The 1543 scene of Dom Carlos Da Rosa Branco vaulting over the ship's boat onto the beach at Refúgio do Raposo, with a wheellock on his right hand as he became the first person to ever set foot in the Ashlands is immortalized as the foundational moment of the Ashlands Colonial Company and the very origin point of the Realm of Terra da Cinza : The fact of the very first person to ever set foot on the land doing so firearm in hand is not lost on contemporary Ashlanders who commonly site this among others as precedent and background to the Ashen Constitution's Article 7 which effectively prohibits regulating weaponry in regards to free Ashlander men. Even under formal subjugation, Ashlanders successfully resisted various attempts by the Fujiwara and Uesugi to regulate or outright confiscate their privately-held firearms during the Pre-Realm times, with the clans eventually relenting. The lack of centralized governance and emergence of strong local autonomy during the time of constant, ever-evolving warfare characterized by ever-shifting intensity, hostilities, alliances, agreements and trade dynamics contributed to the proliferation of firearms and the emergence of a firearms culture proper in the Ashlands. Even as the situation cooled down and institutions began to morph and consolidate into a form similar to that of today, firearms remained ubiquitous. Arsenals, workshops and individual gunsmiths laid the foundations to the Realm's modern arms industry, with notable firearms production occurring since at least 1553. Even when under the veil of near-total isolation, Ashlander gunmakers developed various significant firearm designs independently from the broader world, continuing even after the reemergence of the Ashlands to the world in the late 19th century and the establishment of the Realm in 1878. While always a sought-ought commodity, demand for firearms began to surge significantly in the 1960's, in part as a cultural reaction to the U.S. gun control debate that strongly influenced domestic rhetoric as well as robust economic growth and increasing purchasing power. Beginning in the early 1980's firearm possession by women began to be deregulated by various local governments in the Cinzan State of the Realm as a result of significant political pressure by feminist groups and Article 7 organizations, leaving the Hermit State of the Realm as the sole political entity within the Realm to mandate firearms licensing for women by 1986. This persisted until 1989, when the state law was repealed. This wave of deregulation ushered in an unprecedented spike in firearms demand as the industry found itself a new and large consumer base, resulting in the first 'Year of the Gun' in 1989 when the total value of firearms sales exceeded that of passenger cars. The second 'Year of the Gun' would come 6 years later in 1995 following post-war economic recovery and brief perceived political instability during the Tank Maiden Affair. It is estimated that between half a billion and over one billion firearms are present within the Realm as of November 1997.

Thus in light of this it may be somewhat ironic that the standard infantry rifles of the Realm's Forces were some of the last and oldest sections of equipment to be replaced under the Strategic Refocus Initiative. By 1986 the Realm had operated the Heckler & Koch G3A3 for a quarter of a century, initially procuring rifles directly from Heckler & Koch and later Fábrica de Braço de Prata who manufactured the rifle under license in Portugal, before Sigilos Inc began domestic licensed production of several different H&K firearms in 1963. After the introduction of the U.S. M16 and the Soviet AK-74 the standard issue rifle of the Realm's Forces had become obsolescent following the proliferation of assault rifles firing intermediate cartridges, presenting significant weight savings in the form of reduced ammunition weight and lighter construction well as enhanced controllability arising from greatly diminished recoil. Furthermore, innovation in the field of electronic optical devices, advanced suppressor designs and integrated laser/light systems highlighted the G3's auxiliary inflexibility and lack of modularity. Concerns regarding the ergonomics of the rifle were also increasingly harder to ignore in the face of superior competition, with the manual of arms with respect to the charging handle, fire selector, height of the sights, non-inline stock and weight of pull being commonly cited shortfalls. High Command had become increasingly aware of these issues in the early 1980's and had begun to plan a formal replacement program as early as 1984, surveying both the thoughts and performance of infantrymen and armorers as well as present market offerings and promising near-term technologies. By the mid-1980's, most rifles had already been refurbished multiple times with several barrel changes owing to general wear and very high round counts resulting from the strong preference for intensive live-fire drilling and the doctrinal use of fully automatic fire; Soldiers in combat units fire on average an estimated 9000 rounds a year in mandatory training, with non-combat forces firing roughly 4000. For the Realm Marines and select 'shock' infantry units, the number is substantially higher at over 20000 rounds a year on average as the branch has a famously intensive live-fire training schedule mandating a minimum of 400 rounds a week for most months, a number many times above the expected life of a typical H&K G3 barrel. The expense of the time-consuming barrel replacement process may be seen as an expediting factor for the new procurement program, but it may have had the opposite effect : Soldiers of the Realm's Forces are extremely proficient with their weapons thanks to their intensive training (of which live-firing is only a part of), which significantly moderates the perceived shortfalls of the G3's design, making it appear competitive against objectively better designs fielded by less-trained individuals. This is especially evident in regards to controllability during automatic fire and magazine reloading drills, where conscripts and most professional soldiers struggle. A well-trained force that took good care of their weapons, a cadre of competent armorers and supply of quality replacement parts further extended the lifespan of the rifle many times over, although the Realm's Forces were fast approaching the limits of the G3's useful longevity.

The appearance of feasibly standard issue rifle-resistant personal ballistic protection systems presented a two-fold issue in the form of reduced weapon effectiveness with respect to terminal performance on target and user operation and ergonomics, as the Realm's Forces had been in the process of procuring a rifle-resistant personal ballistic protection system since 1985 to replace the PASGT system. High Command had been aware of this future issue for quite some time : Personnel on the then-secret Ashlander contingent to the U.S Armed Forces active between 1969 and 1972 had noted the appearance of the experimental Variable Body Armor system being trialed, as well as the standardized use of the Aircrew Body Armor system among helicopter crews. The VBA system was ultimately abandoned owing to concerns over impaired mobility and excessive weight which were exacerbated by the climate and terrain conditions of South East Asia, yet many within the Ashlander contingent, and eventually High Command, saw great potential in the concept of ceramic personal armor, especially among mechanized infantry who were expected to remain in the immediate vicinity of infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. Soviet usage of the 6B2 and 6B3 vests in Afghanistan starting from the mid-1980's further reinforced the notion that this would soon become the norm. These systems were not limited to vests solely : The PASGT helmet, despite being strictly intended to provide protection against missile fragmentation and not small-arms fire, was regardless resistant to most factory handgun ammunition and on occasion demonstrated a capability to successfully defend the wearer against low-energy rifle projectiles fired from greater distances, which together with the limited deployment of welded titanium helmets manufactured by TIG and subsequent Soviet copies indicated that rifle-resistant helmets were within reach. Helmet-compatible night vision devices, close combat rifle optics and helicopter aircrew-derived active hearing protection systems doubling as tactical communication headsets also made their first appearances to the Realm's Forces during this deployment, which would come to decisively influence future equipment design and doctrine, and this would be the case with the Individual Baseline Program.

High Command also had other reasons for replacing the G3. The State Force Components had adopted other weapon systems to supplement the G3 years prior, which presented a logistical problem. The Suebi Force Component procured only a limited amount of G3's, arming most of its infantry with the Colt Suévia-manufactured Stoner 63 system beginning in the early 1970's after obtaining the license from Cadillac Gage, while arming its auxiliary forces and non-infantry personnel with cheaper CAR-15 variants. The Hermit Force Component did actively use the G3, but began procuring the FNC rifle manufactured by Marteleiros-Morteiros under license, equipping its light infantry formations in the south with the weapon. The Cinzan State Force component still used the G3 as its service rifle, but had begun to procure variants featuring milled receivers to replace attrition losses, as well as experimentally equipping some of its forces with 5.56x45 Valmet rifles manufactured by Sako Tuhkanmaa Oy. With the Suebi intent on replacing the Stoner 63 and the Hermit Force considering ordering more FNC's, High Command decided it would be best to initiate the program soon in order to prevent further decades-long delays in adopting a new common rifle system.

The Individual Baseline Program would be announced in the Extracto do Domínio in April 1987, initially producing an open-ended whitepaper requesting submissions of weapon, ammunition and auxiliary systems to replace the G3 without any specifics regarding a solution to the matter at hand, rather only stipulating basic eligibility requirements for proposers and seeking 'general improvements' in range, recoil control, ergonomics and performance against worn armor. The Realm Procurement Board received a total of twenty-eight submissions, of which ultimately twelve passed preliminary screening. Of these twelve six were foreign designs, including all of the eventual second phase contestants of the U.S Advanced Combat Rifle Program that was being run simultaneously by the U.S Army, save for the apparent conspicuous absence of Colt. Heckler & Koch offered the G41 in addition to the G11. Interdynamic offered a revised version of the MKR, and General Dynamics proposed a new battle rifle concept firing explosive 9.5x48mm ammunition. Notable domestic proposers included the following;

Marteleiros-Morteiros offered a modular system featuring a proprietary, fully inversible receiver (Similarly to the Stoner 63) offering complete tool-less disassembly and a short-stroke gas piston action and firing a telescoped cartridge similar to the British 4.85×49 cartridge performance-wise.

SMMCG proposed a three-piece compact assault carbine system featuring an off-axis bolt travel internal gas piston system and a solenoid-actuated electronic primer ignition system, chambered in 5.56x45.

MAGOS offered the most radical design proposal by far, a multicaliber assault rifle featuring three barrels (chambered in 5.56, 7.62 and 10mm) on a rotatory base with an adaptive memory-alloy expanding-contracting hybrid chamber and magazine well, with a bulky thermal sight assembly housing a laser designator and basic fire control system, running on a gas-operated blow-forward action.

None of the previously mentioned designs would make it to the second phase of the program.

The first phase concluded in April 1988, with only two proposals out of the twelve originally considered moving to the second phase which commenced immediately following. While the whitepaper had solicited systems featuring new technologies, many of the proposals were considered to be too experimental and impractical for development into field use within a realistic timeframe or budget, with most designs showcasing significant problems in regards to reliability, logistics or cost. Most proposals also failed to demonstrate any substantial performance improvement over preexisting commercial systems.

Colt Suévia, a subsidiary of Cauda do Arminho Precisionworks and Sigilos Inc were the two remaining contestants, offering the Colt Suévia EAC and Sigilos ACP, respectively.

Colt Suévia Espingarda Automática de Choque

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Baseline rifle-variant featuring a 20 in. barrel

Carbine-variant featuring a 12 in. barrel

Automatic Rifle-variant featuring a 22 in. barrel

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Design

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Colt Suévia's EAC rifle system is largely based on the Colt ACR, itself an evolution of Colt's M16A2, although with several fundamental differences. Most notably, the system is not configured to use 5.56x45mm duplex ammunition alongside regular M855, being instead chambered for the proprietary 6.8x45mm cartridge. The rimless 6.8x45mm cartridge uses a proprietary thin-walled steel alloy case with a chrome coating similar to a lengthened, necked down 10mm auto case in regards to external dimensions. The maximum pressure of the cartridge exceeds 80,000 psi for specific short barrel-optimized range extension loads, resulting in high muzzle velocities for the projectiles weighing between 80 and 120 grains, especially when fired from rifle-length barrels. Maximum pressure from a typical general purpose loads is roughly 65,000 psi however, firing an 80 grain .270 in diameter, lead-free copper alloy bullet with a hardened steel penetrator. The primer is a non-toxic small rifle primer.

EAC retains the M16's direct impingement action, and features a vastly-improved nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel alloy bolt carrier group capable of withstanding sustained high-pressure fire. The standard barrel is a 20 in. 1:12" twist HBAR barrel (M203-cut absent) with a special proprietary lining in order to reduce barrel wear, with a rifle-length gas system. The collapsible front sight post doubles as the gas block, which is adjustable through a low-profile valve that can be manipulated with a punch or a bullet tip. The barrel is completely free floating, as it is shielded by a sleeve hidden under the handguard that also functions as the attaching point for auxiliary devices, interfaced through the vent holes on the top and bottom of the handguard. Note that the sling swivel assembly is not on contact with the barrel. The muzzle device is a Sako-designed flash hider that is compatible with the MCM flow-through suppressor which alleviates back pressure concerns found on traditional suppressor systems. It's worthy to note that this suppressor is not meant for maximum decibel reduction or near-silent operation, but rather for moderating the extensive muzzle blast on shorter barrels, facilitating shooting in confined spaces and masking the shooter's location.

While strictly speaking an auxiliary device, EAC was paired with a new bleeding-edge holographic weapon sight. Developed as a joint venture between Forja da Raposa S.A and the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan starting in 1986, the sight that would become known commercially as the FdR Holosight in the 1990's presented an unprecedented improvement in target acquisition speed and accuracy, clearly surpassing even the then-exotic Aimpoint red dot sights in user feedback. The holosight suffered from a significant limitation in regards to battery life which was a pitiful 150 hours at best even with bleeding-edge lithium-ion AA batteries, and was hard to use with night vision equipment. For this reason, some of the earlier prototype iterations of the EAC had a backup rear sight assembly integrated into the upper receiver, but this was done away with as it was determined that the new flat top railed receiver allowed for more user flexibility than an integrated solution.

The lower receiver is nearly identical to that of the Colt ACR, but does differ in a few select ways. While the eight-position buffer tube assembly and stock are the same, the hydraulic buffer proper is a proprietary Colt Suévia design. The magazine release button also acts as a bolt catch. The trigger group remains single-stage, but the pull is substantially lighter at 4.5 lb. The three selector options are semi-safe-auto, and the safety can be engaged even when the hammer is not cocked. The lower receiver markings on non-commercial samples are austere, featuring only the Quinas, serial number and the text 'DOMÍNIO DA TERRA DA CINZA', with the text absent on the trial rifles. The markings are applied through roll dies on the lower receiver which is billet machined as opposed to forged, although its appearance deceptively mimics that of a forged receiver. The magazine well is the same, but the magazines are proprietary: Colt Suévia did experiment with quick conversion follower kits for using standard USGI magazines, but found these to be unreliable and developed a proprietary aluminum alloy magazines that are slightly longer than 30 round USGI 5.56 magazines, featuring steel feeding lips and a special higher-angle follower in order to avoid feed ramp damage incurred from the hardened steel penetrator of the 6.8x45mm cartridge being chambered improperly.

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Variants

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EAC comes in three primary variants : Rifle, carbine and automatic rifle. The carbine variant is very similar to the rifle variant, with the most significant differences being the shorter 12 in. barrel and carbine gas system yet retaining the same profile and overall characteristics. The Carbine variant features a free floating barrel as well, with the Colt M723/33-style handguards also connecting to a sleeve beneath.

The Automatic Rifle variant features a longer 22 in. barrel and prominently features a variant of the Colt LMG handguard featuring a bipod, carry handle and a foregrip. This handguard is however once again connected to an underneath metal sleeve, shielding the free floating barrel from interference. The bolt is further reinforced for sustained fire, and the hydraulic buffer is slightly different from the other variants as well. Otherwise, the automatic rifle is identical to the two other primary EAC types, remaining a closed-bolt light support weapon. It's important to note that with respect to the infantry doctrine of the Realm's Forces, the automatic rifle serves a niche role distinct from squad automatic weapons and general-purpose machine guns, often referred to as a 'maneuver machine gun' employed in situations necessitating special attention to tactical mobility and engagements in close-quarters battle in unusually, difficult, dense and confined environments. Thus, the weapon is not expected to perform to the same standard as an FN Minimi in delivering sustained suppressive fire. The weapon is to be used with a double-drum magazine that has proven somewhat unpopular due to its dimensions and bulk as well as the occasional reliability problem, but is able to use regular magazines. There bayonet lug is absent on this variant.

While not part of the program, Colt Suévia also offers a submachinegun variant of the EAC chambered in 10mm auto, which is effectively identical to the carbine variant save for the presence of a larger case deflector on the upper receiver. The magazine shells used are the same, instead using a different 10mm auto follower for reliable feeding. Unusually for pistol-caliber AR systems, the submachinegun variant is not a straight blowback design, instead using the same direct gas impingement action. This is made possible by the significantly increased gas pressure emanating from the combustion of 10mm auto cartridges, whereas typical 9x19 loads fail to do so.

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Sigilos Inc Arma de Combate Pesado

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Baseline rifle-variant featuring a 18 in. barrel

Carbine-variant featuring a 13 in. barrel

Compact-variant featuring a 8.5 in. barrel

Machine Gun-variant featuring a 20 in. barrel

'Autoconcussive Device'-variant featuring a 8.5 in. barrel

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Design

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Sigilos Inc's proposal was the H&K G3-derived ACP rifle, albeit with significant design differences from the original and taking some inspiration from H&K's other proposal, the G41. Fundamentally, the ACP is very similar to its ancestor, retaining the Roller-delayed blowback action and form factor. Beyond this however, the rifle heavily diverges as is apparent by observing the receiver assembly of the rifle, with the trigger housing and magazine well forming a unitary lower receiver assembly similar to the Colt M16. The lower receiver features a three-position polymer fire selector switch in the style of the H&K MP5 'navy' trigger housing, with the positions being safe-semi-auto. The lower receiver's manual of arms is noticeably different from the standard G3 as it incorporates M16-like magazine release and bolt release buttons on opposing sides of the magazine well. The trigger is a remarkably light two lb. two-stage trigger. The upper and lower receiver assemblies are connected through push pins. Markings on the lower receiver are similarly austere as on the EAC, consisting solely of the Quinas and serial number.

The most radical aspect of the upper receiver is its machined stainless steel alloy construction, deviating from typical stamped and bent G3 receivers. This was done for several reasons, notably to increase durability, out of manufacturing preference for milling and for the incorporation of an integral optical rail interface and low profile rear sight assembly. Despite being milled, the receiver retains the general formfactor of its stamped counterparts for increased parts compatibility. The barrel assembly is a modification of the HK21 machine gun, allowing for the quick detachment and attachments of barrels through a latch lever hidden within the handguard. Unlike in the case of the HK21, this feature is not meant for regular field use but as an administrative aid when servicing the weapon in an armory. The barrel proper is a free floating HBAR barrel featuring a progressive twist for reduced pressure buildup and equipped with the 30. caliber variant of EAC's Sako muzzle device. The ACP lacks a bayonet mount as the folding front sight assembly replaces the bayonet mounting interface. The handguards have a bipod mount in the front below the barrel.

The ACP is chambered in the proprietary .300 GEASA, a rimless bottleneck cartridge with very similar dimensions to 7.62 NATO save for a slightly larger base diameter, longer bullet and increased case capacity. Like 6.8x45mm, it uses a thin steel alloy case, but with a large non-toxic rifle magnum primer. Maximum chamber pressure is estimated at roughly 75,000 psi, although most cartridges generate significantly less pressure, only generating moderately more pressure than the contemporary U.S M80 ball cartridge. The bullet construction is quite similar to that of 6.8x45mm's premier round, featuring a solid 140 grain copper alloy bullet with a hardened steel penetrator. This bullet is noted as having an ballistic coefficient of roughly 0.485, excellent for a general-purpose bullet. The ACP uses proprietary 30-round magazines sharing the form factor of regular aluminum G3 magazines.

While not intended for regular use, the high maximum pressure of .300 GEASA has necessitated changes to the rollers and the angle of the locking piece. The stock assembly of the ACP mends the HK21's buffer system and the Colt ACR's adjustable buffer tube and stock assembly together as one, offering vastly enhanced recoil control and and ergonomics thanks to an inline stock and hydraulic buffer system, aiming to correct one of the G3's major shortfalls. This stock assembly is compatible with regular G3's, and a regular G3 stock can be installed on the ACP.

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Variants

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The ACP is offered in several additional variants, including Carbine, Compact, Machine Gun and Designated Marksman's Rifle variants. The carbine features a 13 in. barrel, being otherwise identical to the rifle variant.

The compact variant features a shorter foregrip-equipped handguard and an 8.5 in. barrel equipped with an aggressive muzzle brake. Quite obviously taking inspiration from the F. J. Vollmer & Company HK51, the compact variant is infamous for the excessive muzzle blast and noise it generates. This variant is meant to be used with specialized short-barreled rifle cartridge loadings with fast-burning powders to alleviate this issue.

The machine gun variant differs significantly in the construction of the upper receiver which is belt-fed, has an even heavier 20 in. barrel and a specialized handguard for changing the barrel without any other disassembly. Very similar to the HK21.

The Designated Marksman's Rifle has an upgraded single-stage semiautomatic trigger pack, specific accurized internals and a 22 in. bull barrel.

By then, the previously vague solicitation had moulded into tangible form as High Command reached several fundamental determinations with respect to the requirements of the new system.

The two remaining contestants were thus pitted against each other in a comprehensive testing series. This included the preliminary Phase I feasibility, safety and engineering tests, separate cartridge testing, projectile performance and lethality experimentation, basic firing line experimentation, infantry test integration on four competency levels, environmental testing, a series of nocturnal and arctic compatibility experiments, comprehensive full-spectrum operational field testing and a competitive match demonstration. The tests and Phase II would conclude in February 1989.

The conclusions of the Individual Baseline Program and the procurement decision were released in April 1989, with the following condensed determinations :

Colt Suévia's EAC thus faced a cultural institution during the final stage of the Individual Baseline Program, although the proponents of the ACP within the Realm Procurement Board carefully avoided emotional language in their support. Instead, the central argument for the ACP formed around reliability, specifically in the context of low temperatures. EAC's dependence on special lubricants for effective very cold weather-operation in addition to higher general servicing requirements and a very slightly elevated rate of stoppages were argued to constitute such a shortfall as to render all of the EAC's advantages over the ACP less significant, with further arguments about the manual of arms and long-range performance of the platform being lauded as optimal for the 'exceptional Ashlander circumstances', whatever such might have entailed. EAC's proponents immediately accused ACP's proponents of attempting to pain the rifle in the false light of inherent unreliability in trying to invoke an image not too similar to that of jammed M16's lying next to their dead owners on Hill 861 as was done by proponents of the M14 decades earlier. The ACP, they argued, was a fundamentally antiquated system given an extended lifespan but no true future by the modernization effort, being fated for obsolescence after reaching the inherent limits of its design.

This significant internal pressure resulted in the controversial outcome : The Realm would adopt both the EAC and the ACP, with former becoming the general service platform destined for the vast majority of formations, while the ACP would be received primarily by select formations operating on the northern coast. Colt Suévia would receive an IDIQ contract for both the weapon system and ammunition, while Sigilos Inc would receive an initial contract for 20,000 ACP variants and a 4-year ammunition contract. In its decision, the Realm Procurement Board admitted that the EAC was superior to the ACP in nearly every metric, yet determined that questions pertaining to the cold-weather performance of the type presented a genuine concern that were not immediately remediable, thus warranting awarding Sigilos Inc a limited contract. However, were these concerns dealt with appropriately the board saw no need for further large-scale orders of the ACP, with the type either being relegated to specialized roles or divested of such a scenario.

April 29th 1989, the day the decision was published in the Realm Extract, would become informally known as the 'Day the G3 died', referring to a headline published on the major newspaper Letra em Carmesim. The controversy was considerable : Proponents of the G3 interpreted the decision as a personal attack against their identity in favor of a 'gimmick system', with many op-eds lamenting the decision. Despite the EAC winning the contract, much of the Realm's senior leadership was profoundly irritated with what they perceived as Sigilos Inc receiving a 'consolation prize' in the form of a contract funded by the Realm's treasury, with many going as far as to suggest foul play : Archkannushi Vasconcelos ordered an independent civilian investigation onto the matter, after the livid director of the Marine Bank accused members of the Realm Procurement Board of failing to provide financial disclosures in order to hide the existence of a financial conflict of interest. The audit ultimately did not uncover any information suggesting the procurement board was illegally influenced in their decision, financially or otherwise, but did determine that some form of subconscious, emotional cognitive distortion likely influenced the outcome. Following this determination, Vasconcelos elected not to pursue further action, finalizing the decision.

In the end, the Realm's Forces elected not to order more ACPs following the completion of the 20,000 rifle order, transferring the rifles to the Cinzan State Force instead which acquired more of the same type specifically for use in the northern highlands and glaciers. The EAC would become the Realm's standard issue rifle, with the three State Force Components following suit. The NATO 5.56x45 and 7.62x51 cartridges were to be replaced by 6.8x45 and .300 GEASA in the intermediate and full-power cartridge roles respectively. The latter of these two new cartridges would eventually come to be chambered in the enlarged DMR variant of the EAC, replacing the stop-gap ACP DMR's starting in May 1992. The last G3A3's, used by the stranded Ashlander contingent to the SADF during Operation Misericorde, were replaced by the EAC and withdrawn from service in 1995, marking the end of the G3's life as a standard infantry weapon within the Realm's Forcers after nearly 35 years of service from 1961 to 1995. The Realm continues to retain some small amounts of the EAC and the preceding G3, mostly in very specialized roles by the civilian auxiliary formations.

Eugene Stoner and Leroy James 'Jim' Sullivan, the two men most responsible for the original ArmaLite design, both had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the EAC when visiting the Ashlands in 1993. Colt Suévia had hired the two as consultants for the DMR project that was to replace the ACP DMR, and many were curious to the thoughts of the two on the Ashlander interpretation of the platform. Stoner, while genuinely impressed by the innovations the EAC showcased with its advanced ammunition, barrel, inherent optics compatibility, excellent controllability and ergonomics was nonetheless dismayed by the weight and excessive 'precision' features of the EAC's rifle variant, calling it an 'M16A2 on steroids' and lamenting how his concept of a lightweight combat rifle appeared to have lost to a national match target rifle. Both Stoner and Sullivan did however see great promise in the carbine version of the EAC, that appeared to have found itself a sweet spot in terms of performance and compactness. Sullivan was quite critical of the EAC's automatic rifle variant, specifically the fact that the weapon fired from a closed bolt which limited sustained fire, something which he was particularly passionate about. With a photograph of the two holding EAC rifles beginning to circulate in the U.S, some began to ponder whether the torch had passed from Colt to Cauda do Arminho Precisionworks.