SIG Wins US Army Next Generation Squad Weapon Contract

[JSGlock34]

The "theory" is that the new .338 MG will split the difference between the M240B and the M2...and do both roles. And we know how well that works...

Agreed, I'm not sure I see the .338 doing the job of the .50...

Still, the MG338 fires .338 and weighs seven pounds less than the M240...color me intrigued.


In any case, SIG now manufactures nearly the entire range of small arms for the infantry platoon - sidearms (M17/M18), rifles (XM5), automatic rifles/squad automatic weapons (XM250), the corresponding ammunition (9mm and 6.8mm), and suppressors. And they're well situated to capture additional contracts. It's an impressive accomplishment.

[JSGlock34]

The XM-5 looks a lot like my 516. Is it a derivative?

The XM5 is more a derivative of the MCX (specifically the MCX Spear) as opposed to the 516. The MCX series arguably takes more of its design heritage from the AR18 (allowing for a folding stock) than the 516.

[spyderco monkey]

Ah, what could have been...

[alohadoug]

I’m surprised we saw this under Biden.

Do you think this will progress actively? Perhaps they went for it with the Russia stuff going down and striking while the iron was hot.

This has more to do with China and its technological advances in body armor.

[JHC]

I’m surprised we saw this under Biden.

Do you think this will progress actively? Perhaps they went for it with the Russia stuff going down and striking while the iron was hot.

Big big money
Biden’s record defense budget draws progressive ire over spending priorities
President’s $813bn proposal is a 4% increase for the Pentagon

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...ing-priorities

[TiroFijo]

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...uer-wins-ngsw/

"An initial delivery order contract worth $20.4 million has been awarded."

I think this includes guns and ammo... how many XM5 rifles and XM250 LMGs do they intend to buy? Not many right now it seems, probably still a good few years of testing in the real world ahead.

[HCM]

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...uer-wins-ngsw/

"An initial delivery order contract worth $20.4 million has been awarded."

I think this includes guns and ammo... how many XM5 rifles and XM250 LMGs do they intend to buy? Not many right now it seems, probably still a good few years of testing in the real world ahead.

Emphasis on "initial."

fully equipped this thing will be a pig.

[TiroFijo]

Emphasis on "initial."

fully equipped this thing will be a pig.

How long would the initial phase take?

I don't see these things fielded in big numbers for quite a while, perhaps never.

[HCM]

How long would the initial phase take?

I don't see these things fielded in big numbers for quite a while, perhaps never.

I agree it will take years.

[psalms144.1]

Sig is now the Cyberdine of Army Small Arms. If they get the Medium Machinegun contract, pretty much everyone else ought to just start shopping their goods to non-NATO allies.

I find that to be very disturbing, from a free and fair competition perspective.