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The Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) Program is a future prototyping effort, using Middle Tier Acquisition Authority, to develop and create operationally relevant, squad-level lethality in order to combat increasing threats. The program is informed by soldiers’ feedback.

The prototyping effort consists of the Rifle (NGSW-R) and Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR) with a standard 6.8mm cartridge and Fire Control (NGSW-FC) between two systems. The effort is to field the Close Combat Force (CCF) with the NGSW-R as the replacement for the M4A1, and the NGSW-AR as the replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon.

defence-blog.com

The General Dynamics is developing two versions of the NGSW for Infantry and close-combat units. The NGSW-AR will replace the M249 squad automatic weapon, and the NGSW-R (Rifle) will replace M4 carbine. The NGSW is planned for fielding 2021 or 2022. Versions of the weapon are intended to be equipped with sophisticated technologies such as ballistic calculation, intelligent targeting and tracking capabilities, wireless communication and advanced camera-based capabilities.

The NGSW will combine the firepower and effective range of a machine gun with the precision and ergonomics of a rifle, yielding capability improvements in accuracy, range and lethality. The weapon will be lightweight, fire lightweight ammunition and have reduced acoustic and flash signature.

War history online

The US Army is looking at the NGSW system to replace both the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) and the M16/M4/carbine used by close combat forces with a new weapon within two years.

Known as the Next Generation Squad Weapon, it finished its first prototype test in September. The test included prototypes from Sig Sauer, Textron Systems, and LoneStar Future Weapons.