Army Times article - https://www.armytimes.com/off-duty/gearscout/irons/2019/08/30/the-army-just-got-closer-to-ditching-the-m4-and-saw-for-a-next-generation-weapon/

stancrist said...

Army Times article

Funny how the lethal range of the 5.56 mm weapons keeps going up and down depending on the point the authors want to make   Despite the much better performance claimed for the M855A1, it's now down to 300 m again...

"Funny how the lethal range of the 5.56 mm weapons keeps going up and down depending on the point the authors want to make   Despite the much better performance claimed for the M855A1, it's now down to 300 m again..."

These type of articles are typically short on technically accurate info. 

Not too many are going to delve into BC, frag range, etc. 

M855A1 .152 G7 @ 2950fps

1700fps frag range = 450yd / 410m

Supersonic Range = 715yd / 650m

Breacher attachment, with a little sharpening. ;)

Some more photos and info from SIG:

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/09/03/sig-sauer-ngsw-prototype/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU_asWoy_q8

“The U.S. Army challenged the industry to bring forward significant improvements to the legacy weapons. The SIG SAUER NGSW-AR is lighter in weight, with dramatically less recoil than that currently in service, while our carbine for the NGSW-Rifle submission is built on the foundation of SIG SAUER weapons in service with the premier fighting forces across the globe.  Both weapons are designed with features that will increase the capabilities of the soldier,” commented Cohen. “The final component of the SIG SAUER Next Generation Weapons System is our suppressor, which through exhaustively researched design enhancements, reduces harmful backflow and signature.”

 From the sound of it, the 6.8 LMG features a novel recoil reduction system, while the carbine does not, and instead based on SIG's existing MCX series of rifles. 

Overall their new lightweight LMG - which is backwards compatible with 7.62 and 6.5 Creedmoor - looks very promising. Their carbine looks pretty meh though, and is likely going to be pretty harsh in 6.8.

Indeed SiG's carbine entry looks like a short barrel marksman rifle more than an assault rifle. A weapon intended for careful and precise shooting

Therefore, it cannot win

However, I'm more and more inclined to think that this competition is going to be really different.

Indeed it is the first actual competition for rifle selection since M1 Garand one at the first thirties. Because of this, it CAN end adopting a product and achieving patent agreements for including patented technical solutions of other contenders or even other companies such as MARS'

My bet:

• Textron cartridge
• Hybrid solution for squad weapon, possibly built from Textron proposals and including other counter-recoiling systems
• Hybrid solution for individual weapon, possibly built from GD's adapted to textron cartridge and including other solutions

Another interesting question is: Is there a competition for Fire Control System?

poliorcetes said...

Indeed SiG's carbine entry looks like a short barrel marksman rifle more than an assault rifle. A weapon intended for careful and precise shooting

???  To me, it looks pretty much like a beefier version of the improved M4 carbine used by SOCOM.