In a short statement from Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey last week, the name of the SIG Sauer-produced Next Generation Squad Weapon rifle will be different going forward. 

The NGSW-R, a 6.8x51 caliber rifle meant to replace the M4 Carbine in front-line Army units in coming years, was announced last Spring as having the XM-5 designation pending full operational capability at which point it would likely drop the "X" and become simply the M5 rifle. Well, the Army has switched gears on that plan, instead moving to reclassify it as the XM-7 rifle, to prevent it from being confused with the Colt M5

In a short statement issued from Picatinny's Program Executive Office Soldier on Jan. 18, it was noted, "The Army originally chose the designation XM5 as the name of the new rifle in March. Since then, the service learned that the M5 name is used by Colt Industries for one of its 5.56mm carbines. As a result, the NGSW Rifle will now be called the XM/M7."

No worries, apparently, arose over the fact that the XM/M7 designation has already been tapped by the Army for the Spider Network Command Munition, a sweet remote-controlled 6-barreled mini grenade launcher meant as a landmine alternative. 

 

SIG Sauer NGSW-R
Based on SIG's MCX Spear series carbine standard features of the XM-7 include a fully collapsible and folding stock, rear and side charging handle, free-floating reinforced M-LOK handguard, fully ambidextrous controls, and a quick-detach SIG Next Generation suppressor. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
SIG sauer NGSW-R with Vortex optics
"A Soldier fires the suppressed Sig Sauer XM-7 Rifle with Vortex XM-157 Fire Control from the standing unsupported firing position during a stress shoot trial of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) Production Soldier Touch Point (STP) #1 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD in November 2022." (Photo: PdM Soldier Lethality Office/U.S. Army)

 

The 6.8mm SIG Sauer light machine gun chosen to become the XM-250 Automatic Rifle-- intended to replace the M249 SAW in 5.56 NATO-- and the Vortex XM-157 Fire Control optic system will keep their names. 

 

NGSW-AR
"A Soldier fires the Sig Sauer XM-250 Automatic Rifle with Vortex XM-157 Fire Control from the prone firing position during a controlled fire trial of the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) Production Soldier Touch Point (STP) #1 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD in November 2022." (Photo: PdM Soldier Lethality Office/U.S. Army)

 

Still curious and want more? Check out Jason St. John, a well-mustachioed retired Army Ranger and now SIG director for government products, give a three-minute talk and demo on the NGSW-R program, below, filmed front and center at Freedom Days in Arizona last year, an event that is likely coming closer to your area in future months.

 

 

And 18 minutes on the XM-250.

 

Banner image: SIG MCX Spear and machine gun systems on display in Nevada last week. Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com

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