SIG Sauer Wins Contract for Next Gen Squad Weapons System
SIG Sauer has been awarded the Next Generation Squad Weapons System (NGSW) contract by the U.S. Army after a 27-month testing/evaluation process. This contract is for a new basic rifle and a new lightweight machine gun. Both new NGSW arms will use a new high-velocity 6.8mm cartridge — the 6.8×51 FURY. This 6.8×51 FURY Hybrid Ammunition features a patented bi-metal hybrid case designed to handle pressures higher than conventional ammo, resulting in significantly increased velocity and on-target energy in lighter weapons. These new rifles will also feature SIG Sauer suppressors.
The SIG-LMG (XM250) lightweight belt-fed machine gun and SIG MCX-SPEAR Rifle (XM5) are purpose-built to use SIG FURY 6.8 Common Cartridge Ammunition enabling greater range and increased lethality while reducing the weapon/ammo weight carried by soldiers. Both the SIG-LMG (XM250) and MCX-SPEAR (XM5) deliver significant advancements compared to the current M249 and M4/M4A1.
SIG Sauer’s new 6.8×51 XM250 and XM5 combat weapons both have a suppressor as standard issue equipment. SIG SLX Suppressors are designed to reduce sound signature and flash, and they feature a patented quick-detach design for easy installation/removal.
“The U.S. Army is taking a bold step toward the 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,” stated Ron Cohen, President, and CEO of SIG Sauer, Inc.
SIG Sauer states: “The SIG FURY Hybrid Ammunition, SIG-LMG (XM250), SIG MCX-SPEAR Rifle (XM5), and SIG SLX Suppressors meaningfully advance soldier weapons technology to meet the emerging requirements of the U.S. Army.”
But is there a downside to switching to a completely new cartridge type? Yes — the problem is building ammo supplies. BreakingDefense.com notes: “While both the legacy rounds [5.56×45 and 7.62×51] have significant stockpiles built up over the years, getting ammunition levels to where they need to be is a daunting challenge”. At a Pentagon media briefing, Brig. Gen. William Boruff, executive officer for armaments and ammunition explained: “Current ammunition is such that the availability is almost an afterthought. This is because the Army has spent decades refining its process to ensure a sufficient inventory of 5.56 ammunition is available and the industry base is present to continue replenishing on a consistent basis. The Army has not introduced a new caliber for about 65 years[.] Doing so will require extensive coordination” to ramp up production and build 6.8×51 inventories.
The SIG Sauer XM5 rifle offers advantages over current U.S. military rifles. The new SIG rifle is built on the MCX platform with the added firepower of the 6.8×51 round. The XM5 features familiar AR-style ambidextrous ergonomics for easy transition from the legacy weapons to the SIG NGSW system. The weapons will also employ SIG Sauer “Next Generation” Suppressors.
SIG Sauer is proud to offer the advancements of the NGSW System in the SIG 277 FURY Hybrid Ammunition (the commercial variant of the SIG 6.8×51 FURY Ammunition round), SIG MCX-SPEAR Rifle, and the SIG SLX Suppressors available to the consumer. For more information about these products visit sigsauer.com.
