Gentlemen:
My background is electronics and reliability engineering.
In terms of reliable function and being able to hold up to extreme operating conditions, hermetically sealed electronic/computer advances have made our lives so much easier...in most ways!
Remember the pre-computer internal combustion engines, transmissions, climate controls, telecommunications, television & radio, manufacturing, sales & inventory control, photography, and much more?
Sure, most machine systems were functional, but inefficient and required constant maintenance and repair. Reliable electronic systems have made it possible for complicated consumer goods to be affordable by the masses, and be reduced to literally throwaway status. Much of the electronic control elements in our toys are NOT repairable. What can you do to repair a cell phone besides replace the battery? What does it cost to repair a malfunctioning DVD player or a camera? The repair costs are often prohibitively expensive compared to replacement.
I would wait for military accceptance electronically fired small arms before seeing commercial success. The few attempts for electrical primer ignition in soldier's weapons fell flat. So it likely will be for the Remington electronic rifle. A nice idea, but already dying before it was fully grown.
