In a significant leap forward for the US Army, the eagerly anticipated Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program is poised for a game-changing debut in 2024. The program’s cornerstone features the new XM7 assault rifle and XM250 light machine gun, both crafted by SIG Sauer USA, set to replace the longstanding M4/M4A1 and M249. This strategic overhaul signifies a monumental shift in infantry combat tactics, tailoring weaponry to meet the dynamic challenges of modern battlefields, particularly in terms of enhanced range and penetration capabilities. Beyond the mere introduction of these groundbreaking firearms, the transition heralds a caliber shift from the 5.56mm to the more potent 6.8mm ammunition. This deliberate move, driven by the pressing need for superior armor-piercing capabilities, promises a substantial surge in combat effectiveness and lethality.
What sets these weapons apart is not solely their reliance on the 6.8mm ammunition, encompassing specially designed cartridges and government-supplied projectiles, but also their integration with the XM157 Fire Control optic. Engineered by Vortex Optics, this optic boasts a comprehensive suite of features, including a laser range finder, ballistic calculator, visible and infrared lasers, and even a compass, granting soldiers unparalleled precision and tactical supremacy on the battlefield. This transformative shift from the conventional 5.56mm caliber signifies a departure from the Army’s long-standing reliance on small-caliber squad-level weapons. Primarily intended for close combat forces encompassing infantry, combat engineers, and specialized units like scouts and special operations, the inclusion of the 1-8x magnified XM157 fire control vastly extends the weapons’ reach, amplifies accuracy, and delivers significantly more impactful firepower.
The XM7, previously known as the XM5, is the U.S. Army variant of the SIG MCX Spear, a 6.8×51mm (.277 in), gas-operated, magazine-fed, assault rifle designed by SIG Sauer for the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program in 2022 to replace the M4 carbine. The XM7 features a free-floating reinforced M-LOK handguard for direct accessory attachment to slotted hole mounting points. Weighing 8.38 pounds (3.8 kg) without a suppressor and 9.84 pounds (4.46 kg), it offers a balance between maneuverability and firepower. The XM7’s SR-25 magazines have a capacity of 20 to 25 rounds, which some soldiers, particularly Ukrainian soldiers, find a bit insufficient compared to higher-capacity magazines. The 6.8mm ammunition chosen for the XM7 provides improved penetration and effectiveness against modern ballistic protections. The XM7 assault rifle is poised to be a powerful replacement for the M4/M4A1.
The XM250 is the U.S. military designation for the SIG LMG 6.8, a 6.8×51mm (.277 in), gas-operated, belt-fed, light machine gun designed by SIG Sauer for the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon Program in 2022 to replace the M249 light machine gun. The XM250 features a free-floating reinforced M-LOK handguard for direct accessory attachment onto the “negative space” (hollow slot) mounting points. The XM250 weighs 13 lb (5.9 kg), or 14.5 lb (6.6 kg) with a suppressor. It has a basic combat load of 400 rounds in four 100-round pouches weighing 27.1 lb (12.3 kg). Compared to the M249 weighing 19.2 lb (8.7 kg) unsuppressed, with a basic combat load of 600 rounds in three 200-round pouches, weighing 20.8 lb (9.4 kg), the XM250 weighs about 4 lb (1.8 kg) less and a gunner carries roughly a 1 lb (0.45 kg) heavier load with 200 fewer rounds. Using the same 6.8mm ammunition as the XM7, the XM250 ensures consistency in caliber and increases the lethality of close combat units.
