NGSW's new generation weapons have received bad reviews: what's wrong with a caliber of 6.8x51 mm

During the tests, the XM7 rifle showed low reliability, and the high -tech sighting module XM157 received "below average" from servicemen. The American prospective Squad Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), which includes XM7 assault rifle and XM250 machine gun, has received low assessments in the results of army tests. The main claims relate to the reliability of weapons, the convenience of using the XM157 sight module and problems with 6. 8 × 51 mm ammunition.

This is stated in the report of the operational testing and assessment of the US Army (Dot & E). The tests were reported in 2023-2024, including shooting in cold climatic conditions, assessing the ability to damage the ammunition 6. 8 × 51 mm (. 277 Sig Fury) and comparative tests with current M4 and M249 samples. According to Dot & E, the main advantage of the complex was the increase in the ability to damage the new Sig Fury ammunition compared to the M855A1 cartridges used (5. 56 × 45 mm).

The new caliber provides a higher punching capacity and firing range. A key feature of the complex was the optical sighting module XM157 from Vortex Optics. The sight is equipped with a ballistic computer, laser rangefinders, weather sensors and a digital compass, which allows you to automatically adjust the aiming. And the built -in wireless communication module provides the transfer of data to the battlefield, contributing to the increase of situational awareness of the fighters.

Despite the technological achievements, the XM7 rifle showed low reliability and could not undergo a 72-hour military mission without critical refusal. And the sighting complex XM157, equipped with a ballistic computer and the system of automatic amendments, received from the military personnel "lower than the average" or "unsuccessful". In addition, the report lists the problems with the "harmful release of powder gases", which requires further design.