U.S. Army Developing Next-Gen M249 SAW

The U.S. Army is looking for a lighter-weight next-gen squad automatic rifle (NGSAR) to replace the 30+ year old M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). Textron Systems and five other unidentified gunmakers have received contracts to develop a prototype. The prototype will combine the firepower and range of a machine gun with the precision and ergonomics of a rifle. It will have improvements in accuracy, range, and lethality. The new weapon will be lightweight and fire lightweight ammunition aimed at improving soldier mobility, survivability, and accuracy. Read more from Textron’s press release.

Textron Systems received a contract from the U.S. Army to develop a prototype for the Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle (NGSAR) program. The prototype that Textron Systems develops could potentially replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon in Brigade Combat Teams.

Under this contract, Textron Systems will build on its current portfolio of Cased-Telescoped (CT) Weapons & Ammunition to develop and deliver a system demonstrator. Textron Systems plans to develop a high-velocity, magazine-fed system of an intermediate caliber. Based on program requirements, the prototype will weigh less than 12 pounds, with ammunition weighing 20 percent less than an equal brass case.

This builds upon two related awards that Textron Systems recently received from the U.S. Army for advanced weapons and fire control technologies – one for Next Generation Squad Weapon Technologies (NGSW-T), and another for fire control capability development.

Textron Systems has 14 years of CT armaments experience. Textron Systems’ current portfolio of CT Weapons & Ammunition includes a 5.56mm CT Light Machine Gun, a 7.62mm CT Medium Machine Gun and a 6.5mm CT Carbine. This next-generation of CT weapons deliver improved lethality and maneuverability at 40 percent less weight than current systems.

Source: Textron Systems

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Steve Schneider is a weapons specialist for Richardcyoung.com. He is our website and graphic design specialist for Youngsworldmoneyforcast.com, Richardcyoung.com, and Youngresearch.com. Steve customizes and creates all of the images and political cartoons on our websites.