Having worked with the MTU, USA Soldier Systems program office and The MARCOSYSCOM Rifle Squad Program Office, I can say that these decisions are not always made by the guys who know better. Often in the acquisition process, the guys doing the testing and evaluation give their recommendations and are promptly ignored by the Logistics side of the equation. Sure, the $50 mil covers initial acquisition, fielding, support equipment and parts and armorers kits and such. But the total cost is way north of there when you consider that Hornady did not make changes to tooling and production equipment to not plan on charging those costs back eventually, be it initial ammo supply or follow on contracts. Its a business, it makes no sense a lot of times, but he who has the best lobbyist wins the golden egg. Courtesy of the same folks that brought you the Gen 1 Bradley Fighting Vehicle!