The study found that the M16A1 was great, but could be improved ... It eventually began a long-term project to develop an advanced combat rifle that could potentially use a new, radical ammo ...

When actually fielded in the mid-1980s, the SAW was issued as a one-for-one replacement for the designated "automatic rifle" (M16A1) in the Fire Team. In this regard, the SAW filled the void ...

While the rifle was initially unpopular among US troops because of frequent jamming issues, production was expanded and in 1969, a modified version - the M16A1 - became the standard service weapon ...