Sig Sauer has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army in the down-select process for the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW).
The award encompasses the complete Sig Sauer system consisting of 6.8mm hybrid ammunition, a lightweight machine gun, rifle and included suppressors. Sig Sauer will provide single source manufacturing for ammunition, weapons and suppressors allowing for less risk and increased capability for the U.S. Army.
“The U.S. Army is leading the world in the first significant upgrade to small arms in decades to meet the growing demands of soldiers on the battlefield. We are honored to have been selected for the Next Generation Squad Weapons program, bringing increased lethality to the warfighter over the legacy weapons,” began Ron Cohen, President & CEO. “At the core of our submission is our newly developed, high-pressure, 6.8mm hybrid ammunition that is utilized in both weapons and is a significant leap forward in ammunition innovation, design and manufacturing.”
The Sig Sauer 6.8mm hybrid ammunition is designed for increased penetration at greater distances. Cohen continued, “using patent-pending technology, the Sig Sauer Ammunition division has engineered a completely new cartridge resulting in a more compact round, with increased velocity and accuracy, while delivering a substantial reduction in the weight of the ammunition.”
The primary objectives set forth by the U.S. Army for the NGSW-AR was a weapon with the firepower and range of a machine gun, coupled with the precision and ergonomics of a rifle. The Sig Sauer NGSW-AR submission is an ultra-light, medium caliber machine gun with AR ergonomics, and chambered in 6.8mm hybrid ammunition. Features include quick detach magazines, side opening feed tray, increased available 1913 rail space for night vision and enablers, folding buttstock and suppressor.
Additionally, the Prototype Project Opportunity Notice (PPON) requirements were inclusive of an NGSW-Rifle. The Sig Sauer NGSW-Rifle submission, also chambered in 6.8mm hybrid, is lightweight and features a free-floating reinforced M-LOK handguard, side-charging handle, full ambidextrous controls, folding buttstock and suppressor.
“The U.S. Army challenged the industry to bring forward significant improvements to the legacy weapons. The Sig Sauer NGSW-AR is lighter in weight, with dramatically less recoil than that currently in service, while our carbine for the NGSW-Rifle submission is built on the foundation of Sig Sauer weapons in service with the premier fighting forces across the globe," Cohen said. "Both weapons are designed with features that will increase the capabilities of the soldier. The final component of the Sig Sauer Next Generation Weapons System is our suppressor, which through exhaustively researched design enhancements, reduces harmful backflow and signature.”
As outlined in the recent award issued by the U.S. Army, Sig Sauer will deliver a complete system inclusive of its 6.8mm hybrid ammunition, lightweight machine gun, rifle and suppressors.
“Sig Sauer has designed the most comprehensive solution to meet the requirements of the Next Generation Squad Weapons to enhance mission effectiveness," Cohen said. "We are looking forward to partnering with the U.S. Army throughout this process and ensuring our soldiers are equipped for the demands of the modern battlefield.”
