Textron Systems Unveils Cutting-Edge Infantry Rifles for the Future Army
The U.S. defense manufacturer Textron Systems, a segment of the American conglomerate Textron, has unveiled two variants of the latest squad automatic rifle developed under the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) initiative.
The NGSW initiative is presently in a competitive prototyping phase with three suppliers for firearms and ammunition (SIG Sauer, General Dynamics, and Textron Systems) and two providers for fire control systems (Vortex Optics and L3Harris).
Textron’s infantry rifle alongside its automatic rifle variant, designed to utilize innovative 6.8mm telescopic ammunition, were showcased during the visit of Governor Larry Hogan, Secretary of Commerce Kelly Schulz, and Secretary of Labor Tiffany Robinson at Textron’s Hunt Valley, MD facility last week.
The NGSW aims to substitute the aging M249 and M4A1 utilized by Infantry and close-combat divisions, both of which utilize 5.56 mm cartridges.
As highlighted by the company, the new weapon system featuring a low-risk 6.8mm CT mechanism provides remarkable performance improvements over existing Army systems. The design boasts enhanced precision and greater muzzle velocity for superior performance, alongside a reduction in weight for both the weapon and ammunition compared to current Army systems. It also integrates advanced suppressor technology to mitigate the firing signature and enhance control.
Moreover, the company mentioned that in comparison to the current M4, the 6.8mm rifle amplifies velocity and effectiveness at extended ranges. The 6.8mm automatic rifle also boosts performance with a notable decrease in weight, enhanced ergonomics, and improved controls compared to the existing M249 firearm.
As per recent statements from the Army, the NGSW is slated for deployment in 2021 or 2022. Variants of the weapon are intended to be outfitted with cutting-edge technologies such as ballistic computation, intelligent targeting, tracking capabilities, wireless communication, and advanced camera-based functionalities.
The Army plans to evaluate multiple rifle prototypes manufactured by various firms and anticipates deploying a new squad weapon in the latter half of 2022.
