L3Harris Technologies - Vortex Optics to develop fire control system for 6.8mm Next Generation Squad Weapon.

According to a contract statement released by GOVTRIBE website on April 22, 2020, the US Army has selected the companies L3Harris Technologies and Vortex Optics to develop a fire control system for use on the 6.8mm Next Generation Squad Weapon - Rifle and Automatic Rifle (NGSW-R and NGSW-AR) variants.

Currently, for NGSW-R program, MG6.8 & MCX SPEAR from SIG Sauer, RM277 from General Dynamics and NGSWR-R from AAI/Textron Systems are under evaluation. (Picture source Twitter account nicholadrummond)

The U.S. Army expects both contractors to deliver their system prototypes for the 6.8mm Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle and the NGSW-Automatic Rifle variant within seven months after the award date.

The branch added it may award follow-on production contracts upon completion of work under the OTAs (Other Transaction Agreements) without conducting a competitive acquisition process.

The Army previously said in a prototyping opportunity notice it intends for the NGSW-Fire Control system to help soldiers reach targets from a distance of at least 600 meters. According to Vortex Optics, the Next Generation Squad Weapon will be equipped with a 1,000-meter laser range finder and a ballistic computer.

Currently, for NGSW-R program, MG6.8 & MCX SPEAR from SIG Sauer, RM277 from General Dynamics and NGSWR-R from AAI/Textron Systems are under evaluation.

For the US Army, the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) is a family of products that includes a Rifle (NGSW-R) and an Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR) that integrate an advanced fire control (NGSW-FC) and common 6.8mm ammunition. The NGSW-R and NGSW-AR are the planned replacements for select weapons system for individual soldiers, squads, and/or platoons, capable of defeating protected and unprotected threats. The NGSW-R and the NGSW-AR ensure increased lethality against a broad spectrum of targets beyond current/legacy weapon capabilities; increased range, accuracy, and the probability of hit; reduced engagement time; suppressed flash/sound signature; improved controllability and mobility.

The Next Generation Squad Weapons – Fire Control (NGSW-FC) is an advanced individual fire control device that supports the NGSW-R, NGSW-AR, and other individual and squad weapon systems. The NGSW-FC increases the probability of hit and decreases engagement time through a variable-powered direct view optic with an integrated range finder, ballistic calculator, and a digital display capable of providing an adjusted aim point. The NGSW-FC utilizes open architecture to deliver to an initial augmented core capability followed by increasing increments of capability over time as technology matures and evolves.