I've recently been thinking about all of the weapon/AR related innovations that have come about over the past few years.  Just to name a few (not all inclusive by any means):

Gas piston systems
Monolithic uppers
Free-float rail systems
Optic mounts
Quick-change barrels
Different calibers
SS AR mags
Prevelant 75 and 77gr 5.56 ammo
Ranger Plates
Enhanced followers
Aimpoint 3x Magnifier
Aimpoint M3 and ML3
EoTech 553
Various weaponlights and mounts too numerous to even begin to number them
1-4x variables more prevelant

I'm sure I'm leaving out ALOT, but my point, or rather my question to consider is this.

What, or more specifically, who drives the AR/weapon related market more:  the Military or civilians?

Do you think we would have so much innovation in the past few years if there wasn't a war going on?


I personally like to believe that it's a little bit of both, the Military and civilians, driving the innovation; but I imagine (using history as an example) that a war tends to bring out the best in one's country and it's designers/engineers.  

What say you?