Next Generation Squad Weapon Program
The Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program is a United States Military program created with the goal to replace the M4 Carbine, M249 SAW, and M240 machine gun as well as the 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm rounds. Two arms manufacturers, (acquired by , and competing in place of General Dynamics),[1][2] and Sig Sauer, Inc., are taking part in the program. Three other defense companies (Textron Systems, FN-America, and ) were removed from the program between September 2019 and November 2021. The program also includes the development of small arms fire control systems, for use with infantry units. The program is expected to cost $10 million in the first year, and $150 million the next.[3][4][5][6]
History[]
The NGSW program began in 2017, after the U.S. Congress began testing the M4 and the 5.56×45mm NATO round for modern-day effectiveness. They concluded that the M4 Carbine was still favored by troops, and also performed well under stress. Problems such as feeding issues were fixed by using different ammunition types and magazines. Despite this, the M4 still had difficulty penetrating the types of bulletproof vest used by Russian and Chinese troops, especially at longer ranges. The program also took into account the US military's experiences in the Middle East, where guerrillas had used weapons such as the AKM with larger rounds able to penetrate protective vests. As such, Congress began looking for replacements for the M4 and the 5.56mm round, to provide a light-weight, accurate, and effective weapon system to the U.S. military.
Requirements[]
The US Army gave out a series of requirements for prototype NGSW weapons.[4][5][7]
Rifle (NGSW-R) requirements:
- Ability to utilize 6.8mm round.
Support Weapon (NGSW-AR) requirements:
- A maximum length of 35 in (890 mm)
- A maximum weight of 12 lb (5.4 kg) including attachments)
- Ability to suppress targets from 3,900 ft (1,200 m), and ability to accurately fire on targets 2,000 ft (610 m) away.
- Able to utilize Small Arms fire-control systems
Fire Control Systems[]
The program also included development of new fire control systems, able to be utilized on small arms weapons of the NGSW program. Two companies entered the competition, Vortex Optics and L3Harris Technologies.[8] In January of 2022, Vortex Optics’ submission to the NGSW programs fire control procurement competition was selected, being designated the XM157 NGSW-FC.[9]
Competitors[]
Many competitors were originally entered into the competition, however only two remain.
Weapons (currently in evaluation):
& Beretta USA: bullpup rifle and machine gun utilizing polymer cased cartridge[10][11][2][12]- SIG Sauer, Inc: SIG MCX SPEAR rifle and belt-fed machine gun utilizing custom 6.8x51 SIG FURY brass-steel hybrid cartridges
Weapons (failed):
- : Desert Tech MDR[13] rifle and machine gun with PCP Ammunition 6.8mm polymer case-metal cartridge[14]
- FN-America: HAMR rifle and EVOLYS machine gun with Federal Cartridge Company cartridges[15][16][17]
- Textron Systems: rifle and LSAT light machine gun utilizing a 6.8 polymer cased-telescoped cartridge[18]
The rounds will be made to utilize government-issued 6.8mm general purpose projectiles. In January of 2022, Winchester was announced to have been awarded a contract to produce the ammunition. It remains to be seen whether a polymer cased round (from True Velocity) or a hybrid metal case (from SIG Sauer) will be produced and utilized.[19]
Fire Control Optics:
Fire Control Optics (failed):
Both submissions include integrated fire control systems utilizing built-in laser rangefinders, direct view optics with magnification, digital overlay and a fully housed ballistic calculation suite.
See also[]
- Ratnik (program)
- Special Purpose Individual Weapon
- Advanced Combat Rifle
- Objective Individual Combat Weapon
- Individual Carbine
- List of Equipment of the United States Army
- List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
- List of crew-served weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
References[]
- ^ "NGSW: LoneStar Future Weapons Forms Strategic Alliance with True Velocity in Place of General Dynamics -". 14 April 2021.
- ^ a b "True Velocity Acquires LoneStar Future Weapons -". 10 November 2021.
- ^ Cox, Matthew (2018-12-20). "Army to Seek Prototypes for M4/M249 SAW Replacements in Early 2019". Military.com. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- ^ a b Woody, Christopher. "The Army wants to ditch the M249 SAW and give the infantry more firepower". Business Insider. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- ^ a b "Army is saying goodbye to the M249 Squad Automatic Rifle after thirty years". popularmilitary.com. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
- ^ "Is Textron Out of the NGSW Program? -". The Firearm Blog. 2021-11-18. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
- ^ "Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW)". USAASC. Retrieved 2021-10-07.
- ^ "This could be the Army's next-generation rifle optic of choice". Task & Purpose. 2021-02-02. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
- ^ "Vortex Win US Army Next Generation Squad Weapons - Fire Control Contract -". 7 January 2022.
- ^ "US Army Grants NGSW Novation from General Dynamics-OTS, Inc to LoneStar Future Weapons - Soldier Systems Daily".
- ^ "NGSW: LoneStar Future Weapons Forms Strategic Alliance with True Velocity in Place of General Dynamics -". 14 April 2021.
- ^ https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/01/19/beretta-true-velocity-confirm-partnership-announce-civilian-rm277/
- ^ "The Desert Tech Next Generation Squad Weapons Prototypes - Soldier Systems Daily".
- ^ "PCP Ammo – PCP Ammo – The Future Of Ammunition".
- ^ "FN to produce two prototypes for the Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle program".
- ^ "You are being redirected..." finabel.org.
- ^ "FN Down-Selected to Produce Two Prototype Options for U.S. Army Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle Program". 16 July 2018.
- ^ "Is Textron Out of the NGSW Program? -". 18 November 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Army Awards Winchester $20 Million Series of Next Generation Squad Weapons Contracts -". 7 January 2022.
- ^ "Vortex Optics to Produce Next-Gen Fire Controls Under $2.7B Army Follow-On OTA". 10 January 2022.
- Trial and research firearms of the United States