Next Generation Squad Weapon

The Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program is a major Army modernization effort designed to enhance soldier lethality and maintain overmatch against near-peer adversaries. This line item supports the procurement of a family of squad-level weapons and associated fire control systems, including the M7 Rifle, M250 Automatic Rifle, and NGSW Fire Control, all utilizing a common 6.8mm cartridge. The program aligns with the Army Transformation Initiative and the Soldier Lethality Modernization Priority, directly supporting the National Defense Strategy's goal to Build a More Lethal Force by improving joint lethality in contested environments and minimizing capability erosion in close combat.

The Next Generation Squad Weapon-Automatic Rifle (M250) is the planned replacement for the legacy M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) within the Close Combat Force. Manufactured by SIG Sauer Inc. under firm fixed price contracts, the M250 is designed to defeat both protected and unprotected threats, providing increased range, accuracy, and probability of hit, as well as reduced engagement time and improved controllability. The procurement also includes integration efforts, engineering change proposals, package fielding, logistics support, technical publications, new equipment training, program management, and system engineering to ensure effective deployment and sustainment.

The Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle (M7) replaces the M4A1 Carbine for select soldiers, squads, and platoons. Like the M250, the M7 is produced by SIG Sauer Inc. and is intended to provide superior lethality, range, and accuracy compared to current systems. The M7 Rifle is fielded concurrently with the M250 Automatic Rifle and the NGSW Fire Control to deliver a comprehensive squad-level capability improvement. The procurement package covers hardware, initial spares, integration projects, technical publications, engineering change proposals, training, program management, and system engineering.

The Next Generation Squad Weapon-Fire Control (NGSW-FC) is an advanced fire control system that supports both the M7 Rifle and M250 Automatic Rifle. Produced by Sheltered Wings DBA Vortex Optics, this system features a variable-powered direct view optic, integrated range finder, ballistic calculator, and digital display, all designed to increase the probability of hit and decrease engagement time. The open architecture allows for incremental capability upgrades as technology matures. The procurement includes hardware, initial spares, engineering data, optics and enablers, technical publications, engineering change proposals, training, program management, system engineering, and test and evaluation support.

The NGSW program's objectives are to field a family of weapons and fire control systems that deliver increased lethality, range, and accuracy, while also reducing engagement time and improving soldier mobility and controllability. The concurrent fielding of the M7 Rifle, M250 Automatic Rifle, NGSW Fire Control, and 6.8mm Common Cartridge is intended to provide a decisive capability improvement at the squad level, ensuring the Army maintains overmatch against evolving threats. The program supports both active and reserve components, with acquisition objectives set for M7 Rifles, M250 Automatic Rifles, and NGSW Fire Control systems.

Funding in FY 2026 also supports the procurement and fielding of optics, sights, lasers, and other enablers for the M7 Rifle and M250 Automatic Rifle, in addition to the NGSW Fire Control. The program addresses long manufacturing lead times due to electronic supply chain and precision glass manufacturing challenges. Production schedules and delivery rates are established to meet Army fielding requirements. The procurement strategy utilizes firm fixed price contracts to ensure cost predictability and efficient production across different quantity ranges and ordering periods.