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Update: Soldiers among first to test NextGen Army weapons

In April 2022, the Army awarded a contract to manufacturer SIG SAUER for two new soldier weapons: the XM7 rifle and the XM250 automatic rifle. For soldiers involved in close-quarters combat, the XM7 will eventually replace the M4/M4A1 carbine rifle, while the XM250 will replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. Additionally, both new rifles will use the new 6.8-mm common cartridge family of ammunition as well as a new fire control system. It was the first time in 65 years the Army will field a new weapon system of this nature. The XM7 (originally called the XM5) weighs about 2 lb more than the M4 it will replace, while the XM250 weighs about 4 lb less than the M249.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Bradley Stacks, with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, North Carolina Army National Guard, engages targets with the XM7 rifle and XM157 scope during testing of the rifle and scope at Fort Liberty, NC, as part of the Next Generation Squad Weapon system, June 13, 2024. The system includes the XM7 rifle, the XM250 automatic rifle, and the XM157 fire control system, which are designed to replace the current M4 carbine, M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, and the M240 machine gun. [Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy]

 

 

 

 

Soldiers with the West Virginia and North Carolina Army National Guard are among those testing what may become the Army's new standard-issue rifle and machine gun.

"To be able to come here and make a difference in the Army and help develop these weapons, these optics, it's been a great privilege," said U.S. Army Sgt. Anthony Brandy, with 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, West Virginia Army Guard. "I'm super excited."

The 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team tested the Next Generation Squad Weapon system in early June 2024 at Fort Liberty. The system includes the XM7 rifle, the XM250 automatic rifle, and the XM157 fire control system, which are designed to replace the M4 carbine, M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, and M240 machine gun.

The Army's new XM250 automatic rifle will eventually replace the M249 squad automatic weapon through a contract signed with SIG SAUER, a firearms manufacturer. [Credit: Photo courtesy SIG SAUER]

 

 

The Army's new XM7 rifle (originally called the XM5) will replace the M4 carbine through a contract signed with firearms manufacturer SIG SAUER. [Credit: Photo courtesy SIG SAUER]

 

 

Personnel with Program Executive Office Soldier (PEOS), which oversees the Next Generation system's development, ran the testing and gathered data to further evaluate the weapon system and its ammunition. Both weapons and ammunition are geared to give Soldiers "significant capability improvements in accuracy, range, and lethality," according to the PEOS.

"Weapon advancements such as the Next Generation Squad Weapon ensure that units under our command have the best weapons possible," said U.S. Army Col. Paul Hollenack, commander of the 30th ABCT. "The fielding of the XM7 and XM250 is a step in making sure that we are doing just that."

U.S. Army Sgt. Shandell Green, a scout with B Company, 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, West Virginia Army National Guard, engages targets with the XM7 rifle and XM157 scope, part of the Next Generation Squad Weapon system, during testing of the rifle and scope at Fort Liberty, NC, June 13, 2024. [Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy]

 

 

 

 

Both weapons chamber a 6.8-mm round and have an optional suppressor that reduces the sound and flash signatures when fired. The XM157 is an optical scope that includes rangefinder information and zoom capability for engaging targets at farther distances.

"This weapon has helped me engage targets, even with the iron sights, at 300 meters," said U.S. Army Sgt. Shandell Green, a scout with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment. "And that's not even using optics."

U.S. Army Sgt. Victor Don-Martinez, a forward observer with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, North Carolina Army National Guard, engages targets with the XM7 rifle and XM157 scope during testing of the rifle and scope at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, as part of the Next Generation Squad Weapon system, June 13, 2024. [Credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy]

 

 

 

 

During testing, the Soldiers engaged targets out to 500 meters using a variety of courses of fire, stances, and positions under day and night conditions.

"Getting out here and actually getting some hands-on experience has been a real eye-opener," said U.S. Army Sgt. Victor Don-Martinez, a forward observer with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, North Carolina Army Guard.

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SIDEBAR: A few more details about the new NextGen Army weapons
Main source: U.S. Army
At the end of April 2022, the U.S. Army announced the award of a 10-year firm-fixed-price follow-on production contract to SIG SAUER, Inc. for the manufacture and delivery of two Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) variations (the XM7 Rifle, originally designated XM5, and the XM250 Automatic Rifle) and the 6.8-mm Common Cartridge Family of Ammunition.

This award was made following a rigorous 27-month prototyping and evaluation effort that included numerous technical tests and Soldier touch points of three competing prototype systems.

The value of the initial delivery order on the contract was $20.4 million for weapons and ammunition that will undergo testing. The contract includes accessories, spares, and contractor support. It also provides the other Department of Defense services and, potentially, Foreign Military Sales countries, the opportunity to purchase the NGSW weapons.

The XM7 Rifle (initally called the XM5) will replace the M4/M4A1 carbine within the close-combat force, and the XM250 Automatic Rifle is the planned replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon.

VIDEO: An inside look at the Next Generation Squad Weapons Program with SIG SAUER President/CEO Ron Cohen (2021). [Credit: SIG SAUER]

Both weapons provide significant capability improvements in accuracy, range, and overall lethality. They are lightweight overall, fire more lethal ammunition, mitigate recoil, provide improved barrel performance, and include integrated muzzle sound and flash reduction.

The new XM7 rifle and XM250 automatic rifle will use the 6.8-mm common cartridge family of ammunition. SIG SAUER was awarded the contract to provide the new weaponry. [Credit: Photo Courtesy SIG SAUER]

 

 

 

 

Both weapons fire common 6.8-mm ammunition utilizing government-provided projectiles and vendor-designed cartridges. The new ammunition includes multiple types of tactical and training rounds that increase accuracy and are more lethal against emerging threats than both the 5.56-mm and 7.62-mm ammunition.

The XM7 and XM250 will be paired with the XM157 Fire Control, a ruggedized advanced fire control system that increases accuracy and lethality for the close-combat force. The XM157 integrates a number of advanced technologies, including a variable magnification optic (1X8), back-up etched reticle, laser rangefinder, ballistic calculator, atmospheric sensor suite, compass, Intra-Soldier Wireless, visible and infrared aiming lasers, and a digital display overlay. It is produced by Sheltered Wings Inc. d/b/a Vortex Optics, Barneveld, WI.

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Designfax Editor's Note:
According to a Military.com article, "The XM5 [now designated XM7] weighs 8.38 pounds, or 9.84 pounds with the suppressor, much heavier than the 6.34-pound M4. That new rifle will also use 20-round magazines, smaller than the 30-round magazines troops currently use. A soldier's basic combat load will be seven of those 20-round magazines, a total of 140 rounds, weighing 9.8 pounds altogether.

"The M4's combat load, also seven magazines for a total of 210 rounds, is 7.4 pounds. In total, a rifleman with the XM5 [Now designated XM7] will carry roughly four pounds more than today's M4 rifleman."

Also, "When soldiers eventually get those new guns, they will carry significantly less ammunition, given the 6.8mm is much heavier than the 5.56mm rounds the M4 and SAW use. The idea is those heavier rounds will be more effective against body armor and light vehicles."

According to a National Defense article, "At about two-thirds the weight of the M249 machine gun, SIG SAUER's XM250 Automatic Rifle is much lighter than what soldiers have been carrying." This article also adds, "SIG SAUER developed a lightweight metallic casing to pair with 6.8mm ammunition already designed and manufactured by the United States. This allows a cartridge to withstand more pressure than conventional ammunition, resulting in greater velocity and accuracy without having to make the weapon physically bigger."

An article in VeteranLife adds, "The XM157 Fire Control optic offers something straight out of science fiction -- computer-assisted shooting. So far, that kind of technology hasn't been available outside of ground vehicle platforms like the Abrams tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle. A number of additional advanced technologies are packed into the new optic, including an atmospheric sensor suite, infrared aiming lasers, and a ballistic calculator."

What is an additional feature of the XM7? According to Army Recognition, "The XM7 NGSW-R comes with a left-side, non-reciprocating charging handle, which serves as an alternative method for charging the rifle or locking the bolt to the rear."

According to Army Times, the U.S. Army changed the name of the XM5 rifle to XM7 to avoid a trademark conflict with Colt's M5 carbine.

Sources: U.S. Army, Military.com, National Defense, VeteranLife, Army Recognition, Army Times

Published July 2024

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