SIG Next Gen Weapons Systems Wraps Tests with Army Infantry, Rangers

The Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons program just completed an important milestone with the SIG Sauer-produced firearms wrapping up testing at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

First arriving in quantity at the base in early October, the NGSW just finished new equipment training and a limited user test with troops drawn from the 75th Ranger Regiment and the "Screaming Eagles" of the 101st Airborne Division.

The training started with classroom work on the new systems, including SIG Sauer's XM-7 rifle, which will fill the role currently held by the M4 Carbine series, the SIG XM250 light machine gun slated to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, and the Vortex-produced M157 Fire Control optics system used on both platforms.

"The nNew equipment training gave the soldiers a good base before coming out and using the NGSWs,” said Sgt. Jack Scott, a Team Leader in the 101st's 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment.

An infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment (Strike Force), 2nd Brigade (Strike), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) (Screaming Eagles), installs the suppressor on the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle during new equipment training while operationally testing at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (Photo Credit: Mark Scovell, Visual Information Specialist, U.S. Army Operational Test Command)

Two infantrymen with the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment (Strike Force), 2nd Brigade (Strike), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) (Screaming Eagles), receive instruction on the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle Fire Control system during new equipment training while operationally testing at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (Photo Credit: Mark Scovell, Visual Information Specialist, U.S. Army Operational Test Command)

12 Interesting Takeaways on SIG’s Next-Gen Weapons

Then came live fire on static ranges, compared to the legacy systems, and a series of drills in the LUT segment.

An infantryman with the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment (Strike Force), 2nd Brigade (Strike), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), executes chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense (CBRN defense) day qualification with the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle and Fire Control while operationally testing at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (Photo Credit: Mark Scovell, Visual Information Specialist, U.S. Army Operational Test Command)

A Ranger with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment engages targets during squad live fire (blank iteration), while operationally testing at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (Photo Credit: Mark Scovell, Visual Information Specialist, U.S. Army Operational Test Command)

Troops in the test units reportedly gave the new systems high marks when it came to the new 6.8x51mm cartridge used by the NGSW as opposed to 5.56 NATO.

"Stopping power with the 6.8 round is a big improvement compared to the M4/M249, and having the ability to use with or without the suppressor is a huge feature for the support by fire element," said Scott.

However, others complained about the weight of the XM-7 rifle, which hits the scales at 8.38 pounds empty and 9.84 with its suppressor attached. By comparison, the Army lists the weight of the M4A1, complete with backup iron sight, sling, adapter rail system, and an empty magazine, as 7.74 pounds.

“I'm used to the M4 — it's lighter — I'm used to the recoil, the engagements, everything the M4 has to offer," said Staff Sgt. Ivan Alvarez, a Squad Leader with the 101st. "But, as we went through the LUT with the [XM-7], I can see the capabilities that it brings to an infantryman, especially at a longer distance."

The Army plans to have the 101st's 1st Brigade be the first unit fully equipped with the NGSW, likely sometime next year.

Before the recent testing and training at Fort Campbell, the Army has conducted over 100 technical tests, fired over 1.5 million rounds of 6.8mm ammunition through the guns, and logged more than 20,000 hours of soldier testing with the NGSWs.

As previously detailed by Guns.com, the Army's objectives for the program, at least as it currently stands, is for almost 250,000 weapons and FC units:

M7 Rifle (NGSW-R): 111,428
M250 Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR): 13,334
M157 Fire Control (NGSW-FC): 124,749

The NGSW is only expected to be used by soldiers in the Army's active (COMPO 1) and reserve (COMPO 2) close combat force – identified as infantrymen, cavalry scouts, combat engineers, combat medics, special operations troops, and forward observers. Army spokesmen in 2022 said other units and specialties will continue to use legacy small arms. "For example, the company supply sergeant will continue to carry an M-4 or another weapon, not the Next-Gen Weapon."

Read More On:

Loading