XM7 NGSW-R XM5 SIG MCX Spear

Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle 6.8mm assault rifle - United States

The XM7 assault rifle, previously known as the XM5 is the United States Army variant of the SIG MCX Spear, a 6.8×51mm (.277 in), gas-operated, magazine-fed, assault rifle designed by firearms manufacturer SIG Sauer for the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program in 2022 to replace the U.S. army M4 carbine.

The Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle (NGSW-R) is a U.S. military project aimed at developing a new standard-issue rifle for the U.S. Army and potentially other branches of the military. The NGSW-R program began in the late 2010s to replace the current M4 carbine and M16 rifle platforms used by U.S. soldiers.

The main goals of the NGSW-R program are to increase the lethality, accuracy, and range of the rifle while reducing the overall weight of the weapon system. To achieve these goals, the program has focused on developing new technologies in the areas of ammunition, weapon design, and fire control systems. In particular, the program has explored the use of lightweight composite materials, advanced manufacturing techniques, and innovative ammunition designs, such as the 6.8mm caliber cartridge.

Several defense contractors have submitted their designs for the NGSW-R competition, including companies like General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), Textron Systems, and Sig Sauer. The prototypes developed by these companies have undergone rigorous testing and evaluation by the U.S. Army to determine their viability as a replacement for the current weapon platforms.

On April 19, 2022, after 27 months of prototyping and evaluation, the U.S. Army announced that the firearms manufacturer SIG Sauer was awarded the NGSW program contract, and would produce the replacements for the M4 carbine and M249 SAW for the next 10 years. SIG Sauer will supply the U.S. Army with the XM250 (SIG-LMG lightweight belt-fed machine gun) that will replace the M249 light machine gun and the XM5 now called XM7 (SIG MCX-SPEAR Rifle) to replace the M4 carbine and M16 rifle platforms currently in service with the U.S. Army.

At the beginning of 2024, the U.S. Army Cold Regions Test Center staged a multiweek test of the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) including the 6.8mm XM7 assault rifle and the XM250 light machine gun. 

XM7 NGSW-R XM5 SIG MCX Spear variants:

- No variants at this time

Design

The XM7 NGSW-R assault rifle includes a fully collapsible and folding stock, rear and side charging handle, free-floating reinforced M-LOK handguard, fully ambidextrous controls, and a quick-detach suppressor. The XM7 NGSW-R is a gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle with a medium range, chambered in 6.8mm caliber. It features a magazine-fed system and fires from a closed bolt position. The short-stroke piston system ensures optimal performance under challenging conditions, and the rifle is designed to function with or without a suppressor attached. The XM7 NGSW-R includes a full-length MIL-STD 1913 rail for attaching optics, and the M-LOK® interface allows for the installation of additional rail segments at various locations. Multiple sling mounting points enable the use of different sling configurations.

The M-LOK® interface allows for the installation of additional rail segments at various locations

The XM7 NGSW-R rifle features a fire selector that allows the user to switch between different firing modes. This selector is typically designed to be ambidextrous, enabling both left and right-handed shooters to use it comfortably. By rotating the fire selector lever, the user can change the rifle's firing mode from SAFE (preventing the firearm from discharging) to semi-automatic (one shot per trigger pull) or, if applicable, to burst or fully-automatic firing modes (multiple shots per trigger pull, depending on the specific model and regulations). The fire selector lever is often designed to provide tactile feedback, allowing the user to easily identify the current firing mode without looking at the selector directly. The XM7 rifle's fire selector ensures that the user can efficiently and safely operate the firearm in various situations. The XM7 NGSW-R comes with a left-side, non-reciprocating charging handle, which serves as an alternative method for charging the rifle or locking the bolt to the rear. The XM7 NGSW-R features a two-position gas valve at the front of the barrel, which regulates the rifle's function by controlling the amount of gas needed for operation. This enables both normal and adverse functioning. The handguard is marked on both sides to indicate the gas valve's position. To adjust the gas valve, simply press down on the lever until it stops.

The XM7 NGSW-R rifle features a fire selector that allows the user to switch between different firing modes.

The six-position folding stock of the XM7 NGSW-R rifle is a versatile and ergonomic feature designed to enhance the firearm's portability, storage, and ease of use. It allows the user to reduce the overall length of the rifle by folding the stock alongside the weapon when not in use. This compact configuration is particularly advantageous in confined spaces or when maneuvering through tight areas. Constructed from durable materials, such as polymer or reinforced aluminum, the folding stock is designed to withstand the rigors of field use. It typically features a locking mechanism that securely fastens the stock in both its extended and folded positions, ensuring stability during operation. The folding stock of the XM7 rifle often includes an adjustable length of pull and cheek rest to accommodate different user preferences and shooting positions. This adaptability ensures that the rifle remains comfortable and easy to handle for a wide range of shooters. Additionally, a rubberized butt pad may be incorporated to provide improved grip and reduce felt recoil.

The six-position folding stock of the XM7 NGSW-R rifle is a versatile and ergonomic feature designed to enhance the firearm's portability, storage, and ease of use.

Magazine and Ammunition

The XM7 NGSW-R is designed to fire 6.8×51mm ammunition, which consists of a polymer case with a brass base, and a bullet made of a copper core with a steel penetrator tip. The ammunition is designed to provide better accuracy, lethality, and weight savings compared to current military ammunition. It uses a proprietary 20-round magazine. The magazine is made of a lightweight polymer material and features an angled design to help improve ergonomics and reduce the overall length of the rifle.

The XM7 NGSW-R uses a proprietary 20-round magazine.

The 6.8×51mm Common Cartridge also referred to as the 6.8mm Next Generation Squad Weapon Cartridge, is a new intermediate cartridge designed and developed for the U.S. military by the firearms company SIG Sauer. This cartridge was designed to address the perceived shortcomings of the existing 5.56×45mm NATO and 7.62×51mm NATO rounds, which have been in service for several decades. The 6.8×51mm cartridge aims to provide a significant improvement in terms of range, accuracy, and terminal ballistics over the current rounds. It is intended to offer superior performance in various combat scenarios, including long-range engagements and through barriers, such as body armor. The development of this cartridge is closely associated with the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, which aims to replace the M4 carbine and other infantry weapons with more advanced and effective firearms. The cartridge employs a case with the same length and diameter as the .308 Winchester. Each "hybrid" cartridge case consists of a stainless steel base connected to a brass body through an aluminum locking washer. Stainless steel's considerably higher yield strength compared to brass enables engineers to utilize higher maximum average pressure (MAP) chamber pressure levels. Bullets come in two varieties: 135 grains (8.75 g) "match grade" with a G1 ballistic coefficient of approximately .488, and 140 grains (9.07 g) "hunter tipped" with a G1 ballistic coefficient of approximately .508 (though ballistic coefficients can be somewhat debatable).

The 6.8×51mm Common Cartridge also referred to as the 6.8mm Next Generation Squad Weapon Cartridge, is a new intermediate cartridge designed and developed for the U.S. military by the firearms company SIG Sauer.

Features

The XM7 NGSW-R, including the suppressor, weighs 4.46 kg or 3.80 kg without it, and is equipped with a 20-round box magazine. To provide an adequate combat ammunition load, soldiers will carry seven 20-round magazines, weighing a total of 4.4 kg and containing 140 rounds. The XM7 NGSW-R measures 914 mm in length (including the suppressor) and has a barrel length of 330 mm. In comparison to the M4A1, which weighs 2.88 kg without a suppressor and has a basic combat load of 210 rounds distributed across seven 30-round magazines, weighing a total of 3.4 kg, the XM7 NGSW-R is approximately 0.91 kg heavier and the soldiers will carry 70 fewer rounds with an additional weight of roughly 1.8 kg. The XM7 NGSW-R will be equipped with the XM157 Next Generation Fire Control System and the SIG SLX Suppressor. The XM157 Next Generation Fire Control System (NGFCS) is a weapon sight system designed an manufactured by the company Vortex Optics. It is a ruggedized fire control that increases accuracy and lethality for the Close Combat Force. It integrates a number of advanced technologies, including a variable magnification optic, backup etched reticle, laser rangefinder, ballistic calculator, atmospheric sensor suite, compass, Intra-Soldier Wireless, visible and infrared aiming lasers, and a digital display overlay. The XM157 NGFCS is mounted on top of the XM7 and is powered by a rechargeable battery. It has a magnification range of 1x to 6x and a field of view of approximately 10 degrees. The system weighs around 2.2 kg and is designed to withstand harsh field conditions, including extreme temperatures and heavy recoil.

The XM7 NGSW-R will be equipped with the XM157 Next Generation Fire Control System

The SIG SLX Suppressor for the XM7 is constructed with a monolithic core, making it strong and durable. It is also designed with a flash-reducing end cap, enhancing its performance. Additionally, the suppressor features the Clutch-LOK QD mounting system which is both user-friendly and highly durable. The internal multi-flow path of the SLX suppressors allows for gasses to be expelled at a faster rate than traditional baffle-style suppressors. This feature reduces toxic fumes from flowing back through the ejection port and into the shooter's face by 70-80%. The SLX series is a suppressor that prioritizes performance and is specifically designed for use with supersonic ammunition. It is ideal for users who focus on flash reduction and the reduction of toxic fumes. The new low-tox SLX suppressors provide an unparalleled shooting experience that cannot be matched by any other suppressor on the market. Overall, the internal multi-flow path of the SLX suppressor offers a low-resistance exhaust for gases, allowing for faster expulsion compared to traditional baffle suppressors. This feature results in the SLX suppressor emitting 70-80% fewer parts per million (PPM) of toxic fumes than traditional baffle suppressors.

The SIG SLX Suppressor for the XM7 is constructed with a monolithic core, making it strong and durable. It is also designed with a flash-reducing end cap, enhancing its performance.