The US Army announced today that the Next Generation Squad Weapons system will be delivered by SIG Sauer of Portsmith, New Hampshire.
This is big news.
We at GUNLAND are excited to hear this come to fruition for our friends at SIG Sauer. All divisions were involved in some aspect of the NGSW program, directly and indirectly.
It’s crazy to put into perspective how long these programs have been in development at SIG Sauer.
“The U.S. Army is taking a bold step toward command of the 21st century battlefield and SIG SAUER is immensely proud to be the selected provider for this historic revolution in infantry weapons. The fielding of the SIG SAUER Next Generation Squad Weapons System will forever change the dynamic of military engagement for America’s warfighters with American innovation and manufacturing,”
Ron Cohen, President and CEO SIG SAUER, Inc.
FAQ: SIG NGSW
What are the guns?
The US Army designated: XM250 Automatic Rifle (aka SIG-LMG lightweight belt-fed machine gun) and XM5 Rifle (aka SIG MCX-SPEAR Rifle) are purpose-built to harness the energy of the SIG FURY 6.8 Common Cartridge Ammunition enabling greater range and increased lethality while reducing the soldier’s load on the battlefield.
The X in the rifle’s designations means experimental. Once they are fielded the X will be dropped they will be simply the “M5”, and ”M250”.
Both the SIG-LMG and MCX-SPEAR deliver significant weapon and technology advancements to the soldier and provide a solution for battlefield overmatch in comparison to the current M249 and M4/M4A1.
Delivered for initial testing on June 1, 2020.
WHAT IS THE AMMO?
The NGSW-6.8×51 ammunition (aka SIG 6.8×51 FURY Hybrid Ammunition) uses a patented lightweight metallic case designed to handle pressures higher than conventional ammunition, resulting in dramatically increased velocity and on-target energy in lighter weapons.
WHAT IS THE SUPPRESSOR?
The U.S. Army’s procurement of the NGSW System marks the beginning of an era where combat weapons are coupled with a suppressor as standard issue equipment.
The SIG SLX Suppressors are designed to reduce harmful gas backflow, sound signature, and flash. SIG SLX Suppressors feature a patented quick-detach design for easy installation and removal.
WHY WASN’T TRUE VELOCITY’S NGSW SYSTEM SELECTED?
We may never know, but looking at the details, one contributing factor may have been quite simply: Their system didn’t meet the RFP requirements.
The US Army required the system to provide ammunition feet-per-second (FPS) of 3000 FPS minimum. The TV polymer 6.8 cartridge, as submitted, could only attain 2700 FPS out of a 24″ barrel, and their submission was a 19″. Meaning: they were well below the requirements of the RFP.
More below with (after the pic) the official US Army Press Release.
WASHINGTON – 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 variations (the XM5 Rifle and the XM250 Automatic Rifle) and the 6.8 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 touchpoints of three competing prototype systems.
The value of the initial delivery order on the contract is $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 XM5 Rifle 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
Both weapons provide significant capability improvements in accuracy, range, and overall lethality. They are lightweight, fire more lethal ammunition, mitigate recoil, provide improved barrel performance, and include integrated muzzle sound and flash reduction.
Both weapons fire common 6.8 millimeter 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 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition.
The XM5 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), backup 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, Wisconsin.
For more information, please contact the PEO Soldier Public Affairs Office at 862-324-5933 or peter.j.rowland2.ctr@army.mil.
