The OICW, or Objective Individual Combat Weapon, is a weapon system that is currently being tested for possible implementation by the U.S. Army. The weapons system consists of an assault rifle capable of firing the 5.56 x 45mm ammunition currently used by the M16 family of weapons and a 20mm semi-automatic grenade launcher. The grenade launcher barrel is mounted above the rifle barrel, and the launcher loads from a 6 round magazine near the rear of the weapon in a bullpup configuration. The two systems can be separated, and the lighter, assault rifle - only portion can be used independently of the grenade launcher.