Sig Sauer has given the public a good look at the new weapons it will be presenting to the US Army for their Next Generation Squad Weapons Program.
Currently, the Army is looking to replace its M4 carbines and M249 Squad Automatic Weapons, it wants to select a company to make these new weapons this year and get the first unit equipped with them in 2022.
Sig Sauer is one of 3 companies that is looking to win the contract, the others being AAI Corporation/Textron Systems and General Dynamics-Ordnance & Tactical Systems. Many consider Sig Sauer to be the most likely choice for the contract as they won the Army’s XM17 Modular Handgun System competition with the P320.
Sig Sauer’s MCX-SPEAR will be the replacement to the M4 platform the Army currently uses. The weapon features ambidextrous controls, a side & rear charging handle, a short-stroke piston system, a stock that is both foldable & collapsible, and Sig Sauer’s next-generation suppressor.
The MMG-6.8Â is the replacement to the M249. The MMG-6.8 is lightweight and has double the effective range of the M249.
Both the MCX-SPEAR and MMG-6.8 are chambered in Sig Sauer’s new 6.8×51 round. This ammunition is revolutionary, it promises greater performance while maintaining a lighter weight than standard ammunition.
Sig Sauer released a video showcasing the two new weapons being tested:
