Sig Sauer Selected for US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons Program

The United States (US) Army picked Sig Sauer for its Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program involving the supply of 6.8mm hybrid ammunition, a lightweight machine gun, rifle, and included suppressors.

“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 US Army,” the company said in a statement on September 3.

The value of the contract has not been revealed.

The SIG SAUER 6.8mm hybrid ammunition is designed for increased penetration at greater distances. Using patent-pending technology, a new, lightweight cartridge has been engineered resulting in a more compact round, with increased velocity and accuracy.

The primary objectives set forth by the US 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 a 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, fully ambidextrous controls, folding buttstock, and suppressor.