In the United States, work continues to create a promising line of small arms weapons for the army and other law enforcement agencies. The main task is to replace the existing models, including the M4 automatic carbine and the M16 assault rifle. Recall that both of these variants of American small arms have a 5,56 mm caliber. It is also planned that the new development will allow the US Army to replace the M249 machine gun in its two calibers - 5,56 and 7,62 mm.
Promising small arms received a preliminary name for the program being implemented - NGSW (Next Generation Squad Weapon).
American General Anthony Potts, reporting to the meeting of the US Army Association, called the timing of the final selection of weapons from the NGSW line. According to him, the choice of an assault rifle and an automatic carbine will be carried out by the summer of 2022.
At the moment, it is known that these samples of promising weapons are designed for a 6,8 mm caliber. It is planned that this particular caliber will become the main one for the US Army due to "a number of its superior parameters, including parameters of long-range firing accuracy."
Major General Anthony Potts:
This caliber has a number of better characteristics, including bullet accuracy, lethality and stability in flight, compared to 5,56 mm ammunition.
According to General Potts, when using a 6,8-mm cartridge, the "guaranteed lethality" indicator increases from 300 to 600 m - in terms of range.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States notes that "none of the body armor will protect against a bullet from NGSW weapons." It is also noted that the latest target designation system is being implemented in promising small arms.
It is known that one of three companies will be able to start mass production of promising weapons for the US security forces: Sig Sauer, General Dynamics or Textron Systems. Cooperation is also possible.
So, General Dynamics offers the Pentagon a version of a new generation of automatic small arms in the bullpup layout. It is indicated on its compactness, which "will not harm" the mortality rates. Textron Systems comes out with a proposal to create a promising weapon with caseless cartridges for the American army.
In the first stage, each manufacturer must supply 53 rifles and 43 automatic carbines for testing. Also, the kit should go to 850 thousand cartridges. After all the tests, the final choice will be made in favor of one or another option proposed by the developers.
According to budget documents, after selection, the winning company will receive an eight-year contract for the production of 120 rifles, carbines and machine guns. The servicemen of special forces will be the first to receive the latest small arms. In infantry units, the operation of the M4 and M16 will continue until eventually a larger contract for the production and delivery of NGSW is implemented.