Farewell to the M4 and SAW: The Army's Groundbreaking Shift to the XM5 Rifle and XM250 Automatic Rifle
Story by Mike Brown • 1h
On an ambitious overdrive to modernize its small-arms arsenal, the U.S. Army has contracted with Sig Sauer in a 10-year deal worth $20.4 million for the induction of the XM5 Rifle and the XM250 Automatic Rifle. As announced in 2023, the decision would eventually phase out the long-serving M4 rifle and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon as standard-issue firearms for the Army.
The new weapons, which will fire the 6.8mm ammunition, are designed to provide soldiers with increased accuracy, lethality, and protection against emerging threats. As an Army spokesperson stated, “The new ammunition includes multiple types of tactical and training rounds that increase accuracy and are more lethal against emerging threats than both the 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition.”
This comes after a 27-month-long evaluation period, in which other defense contractors, such as General Dynamics, were among those seriously competing to be the primary supplier for the Army of small arms. It was a clear decision to award the contract for these high-stake weapon systems to Sig Sauer because the company can meet the Army’s very demanding requirements.
The Vortex Optics XM157 Fire Control optic will eventually sport a home on both the XM5 and XM250. This high-tech optic will include laser rangefinder, ballistic calculator, visible and infrared lasers, and even a compass that give Soldiers very effective targeting capabilities.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/farewell-to-the-m4-and-saw-the-army-s-groundbreaking-shift-to-the-xm5-rifle-and-xm250-automatic-rifle/ar-BB1qwSG6?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=527d1c345d294f64bb997679d4cb1614&ei=18
