The future of close combat for the U.S. Army is changing dramatically through the Next Generation Squad Weapon program. The initiative plans to increase the lethality and performance of the soldier in close-quarters combat.
The Army awarded the contract for the NGSW to Sig Sauer last April. The NGSW will replace the M4A1 Carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon currently in service, with the XM7 Rifle, XM250 Automatic Rifle, and a new 6.8 mm family of ammunition.
Through contract award, Sig Sauer has been working in conjunction with PEO Soldier, JPEO Armaments & Ammunition, and the Soldier Lethality Cross-Functional Team to ready these new capabilities for fielding. Thorough testing and evaluation have been carried out to include user acceptance, as well as integration of the XM157 Fire Control optic from Vortex Optics Inc.
In the fall of 2022, the Army executed full technical testing and a soldier touch point at the Aberdeen Test Center, with continued valuable feedback on the most current configuration of the weapon system. Sig Sauer replicated this test setup in their home test center in Exeter, New Hampshire, further solidifying their commitment to reliable results for soldiers.
According to Maj. Jamin D. Williamson, the Assistant Product Manager, PM Soldier Lethality, user feedback will drive a Soldier-centered design that delivers performance. To date, over 100 technical tests have been conducted, with more than 1.5 million rounds of 6.8mm ammunition fired and over 20,000 hours of Soldier testing completed.
The Soldier touch point involving the XM7 Rifles and XM250 Automatic Rifles had engaging squads from the 75th Ranger Regiment and National Guard. Soldiers were impressed with the new weapons, citing improved ergonomics, recoil management, and ease of use. One Ranger described the XM7 as, “Light, functions very well, has an awesome load system, and it’s easy to handle and engage targets with.” Another soldier highlighted the XM250’s significant upgrade in ergonomics and recoil management over the M249.
Integration efforts in these areas are currently underway about Doctrine, Organization, Training, materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, Facilities, and Policy DOTmLPF-P to ensure a seamless transition to the new weapons and ammunition. It involves revision of the arms room weapons racks, vehicle weapons mounts, technical manuals, and range surface danger zones.
Lt. Col. Joshua Headley, Product Manager, Next Generation Weapons, praised the Army enterprise’s efforts to synchronize the undertaking: “The level of emphasis, and thus precision, that the Army enterprise has put into synchronizing the NGSW DOTmLPF-P domains has been nothing short of amazing.”
The next step for the NGSW program will be product qualification testing, which is planned to take place from May to July 2023. PM Soldier Lethality will receive two dozen XM7 Rifles and XM250 Automatic Rifles for testing. After PQT is complete, an operational test will set the conditions for the First Unit Equipped, which is planned for the second quarter of FY24.
The Army is procuring the NGSW System as a leaps-ahead advancement in soldier weapons technology. Together, the SIG 6.8×51 FURY Hybrid Ammunition, XM250, XM7, and SIG SLX Suppressors provide enhancements to range, lethality, and soldier load management across the battlefield. A suppressor also comes as standard equipment in the new system and is designed to help lessen harmful gas backflow, sound signature, and flash.
This procurement is truly revolutionary,” said Army Brig. Gen. Larry Q. Burris, the director of the Soldier Lethality Cross-Functional Team. “I was surprised it happened so fast, because of middle-tier acquisition rapid fielding authorities.” Fielding to the first unit of soldiers in close quarters combat is set to occur in the fourth quarter of 2023 with the new system.
The XM7 Rifle, formerly known as the XM5, and the XM250 Automatic Rifle represent a long-term effort to replace several decades-old 5.56mm M4 and M249 weapon systems. The new 6.8mm common cartridge provides an intermediate-caliber round that bridges between the 5.56mm and 7.62mm rounds in use throughout NATO militaries.
Under the terms of the contract, up to 250,000 weapons could be ordered during the initial ten-year contract with Sig Sauer; the Army will only need around 120,000 for its close-combat and special operations forces. It will be matched with the XM157 Fire Control, a system that rigs several advancements to enable advanced accuracy and lethality in the new rifles.
NGSW takes a quantum leap in combat capability for the Army as it works toward the future, progressing to the next testing phase and fielding of weapons to ensure that soldiers are equipped with the finest and most practical weapons.