Elite French commando unit set to receive SIG Sauer MCX Spear LT rifles.

As reported by Opex360 on March 31, 2024, the French Groupement de commandos parachutistes (GCP), part of the 11e Brigade Parachutiste (11th Parachute Brigade), is set to incorporate the new MCX Spear LT rifle manufactured by SIG Sauer into its arsenal. The SIG MCX Spear LT, introduced in 2022, is the third generation of the MCX series and a variant of the MCX Spear, which was chosen as the XM7 by the US Army under the Next Generation Squad Weapon Rifle (NGSW-R) program.
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Introduced in 2022, the MCX Spear LT is the third iteration of the SIG MCX series, and comes in 5.56 mm NATO, .300 Blackout, and 7.62x39mm calibers. (Picture source: Athlon Outdoors)

The GCP's current equipment list includes Glock 17 and HK USP pistols, HK LG40 grenade launchers, FN Minimi 5.56/7.62 mm machine guns, HK MP5 submachine guns, and various rifles such as the precision Sako TRG, the 7.62 mm SCAR-H, the HK-416 (standard issue across army units), and the HK-417. The introduction of the SIG Sauer MCX Spear LT rifle, which is available in 5.56 mm or .300 Blackout calibers, is imminent, as reported by RAIDS magazine.

The MCX is a range of firearms developed and produced by SIG Sauer, launched in the United States in 2015. The product line encompasses rifles, carbines, short-barreled rifles, and pistols, employing a short-stroke gas piston system derived from the preceding SIG MPX submachine gun, which is designed to mitigate recoil and enhance weapon reliability. The models are available in semi-automatic and selective fire variants, and incorporate features that allow users to switch between calibers such as 5.56×45mm NATO, .300 AAC Blackout, and 7.62×39mm. This flexibility is further supported by the ability for rapid barrel changes and compatibility with standard AR-15 and M16 lower receivers through the use of an adapter.

The development trajectory of the MCX series includes the SIG MCX Spear, a newer iteration intended for military use, which was selected by the US Army in 2022 as the XM7, chambered in .277 Fury, under the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program. Introduced in 2022, the MCX Spear LT is the third iteration of the SIG MCX series, featuring barrel lengths of 11.5 inches or 16 inches and a Picatinny rail for accessory attachment. It comes in 5.56 mm NATO, .300 Blackout, and 7.62x39mm calibers.

SIG Sauer's catalog indicates that the MCX Spear LT is a development from the MCX Virtus, which is already in service with the 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment), affiliated with the Commandement des opérations spéciales (Special Operations Command), and is also provided to the Groupement des commandos de montagne (Mountain Commando Group). The acquisition of the SIG Sauer MCX Spear LT by the GCP represents a further update to its operational capabilities, maintaining the unit's equipment in line with current technological standards.

The MCX Spear LT rifle features a design that incorporates a lightweight alloy handguard to enhance handling while ensuring durability. This firearm is equipped with a SIG Flatblade Match Trigger and offers ambidextrous controls, designed to be functional for both left and right-handed users across various shooting activities. The MCX Spear LT rifle is chambered in 5.56 NATO and utilizes a gas piston operating system, which includes an adjustable gas block for customizable shooting experiences.

It is equipped with a 30-round polymer magazine and features a carbon steel barrel, aiming to accommodate various ammunition types. The MCX Spear LT measures 534 mm in length when extended and weighs 2.8 kg. The barrel is prepared for attachments such as suppressors or muzzle devices, and includes a Rocksett SIG QD Suppressor-Ready Flash Hider, while the handguard supports accessory mounting through the M-LOK system.