New NGSW weapon status: Sig Sauer rifle has received an official designation - M7

The new classification means that both samples of weapons meet "strict standards of the army in terms of performance, security and support," the official message said. Commenting on the news, the War Zone wrote that this decision was made only a few weeks after public criticism of US captain Braden Trenth, who called XM7 "dangerous, ineffective and excessively expensive.

" His statements were based on a non -secret research work presented at the Modern Day Marine in Washington on April 29, although Sig Sauer's representatives and Sig Sauer strongly dismissed these allegations. "This step reflects our commitment to ensuring the advanced opportunities that give our soldiers the tactical advantages and deadly ones needed on the battlefield.

We are still aimed at equipping our forces with the most reliable and most effective means of success," said the head of the Soldier. Unlike the AR-15/M16 platform, the new M7 rifle uses gas-piston automation similar to the SIG SAUER MCX Spear MCX. And the transition to a caliber of 6.

8 × 51 mm is related to the requirements for increased firing range and better armored test - especially against the background of the experience of army units in Afghanistan and in the face of increased enemy security. In his report, Captain Trent pointed to numerous XM7 shortcomings, including problems with sleeves, excessive wear of the barrel and breakage of components. He argued that the rifle is too heavy, has a high return and "unsuitable" for combat use.

However, according to Jason Saint-Jon, Senior Director of Sig Sauer Strategic Products, the captain "did not fully realize how the NGSW program was arranged" and suggested "serious distortions" in his conclusions. More than 500 servicemen participated in 20,000 hours. As of 2024, the army plans to buy 111 428 M7 rifles and 13 334 M250 machine guns. As a result, the US Army concluded a 10-year contract with SIG SAUER worth $ 20. 4 million after the three-month-old competing systems were trials.