The US Army’s Powerful Next Generation Weapon

XM250 . medium machine gun Sig Sauer

Two new lines of US Army guns by contractors military Sig Sauer manufactures and is officially named the XM5 rifle and XM250 machine gun, according to Defense One. The arrival of the XM5 series represents a new phase for the US forces, which officially transitions from the M16 weapons series (which entered service in 1967).

XM5 and XM250 duo

The XM5 will replace the M4A1 Carbine series in the close-range weapon segment, while the XM250 is used to replace the M249 medium machine gun. Both weapons lines of Sig Sauer are equipped with optical equipment (NGSW-FC), allowing US soldiers to observe and hit targets at longer distances.

Rifles or carbines are basic weapons for infantry, special forces, engineers, and combat support units. For example, most squad members carry rifles or carbines. This is a weapon to use immediately and accurately when confronting the enemy. The machine gun was only assigned to 2 soldiers in the platoon. The medium machine gun is a weapon used to suppress enemy fire, allowing soldiers with rifles and carbines to approach and handle targets.

The M4A1 Carbine is a short, improved version of the M16 assault rifle. The M16 is notorious for jams, but the M4A1 Carbine is very reliable. The only problem is that the M4A1 Carbine still uses 5.56 mm ammo, which is not enough to penetrate the now heavily upgraded armor.

Meanwhile, the XM5 rifle is based on the design of the MCX series produced by Sig Sauer, whereby it does not need to be cleaned as often but still fires well.

More powerful and precise

Information regarding XM5 is unknown. However, the MCX Spear, the civilian version of this weapon line that Sig Sauer describes as having many similarities, has a length of 87 cm, weighs 3.8 kg, a 20-round magazine and a silencer.

XM5 Sig Sauer

In addition, the M249 has a higher firing rate than the M4A1 but is less accurate, has reliability issues, and uses the same ammunition as the M4A1.

The XM250 is a miniature version of Sig Sauer’s MG-338 machine gun. The US contractor said the XM250 “doubles the range, is 40% lighter than the M249, and has increased accuracy”. The XM250 is also fitted with a silencer.

Both new weapons lines are loaded with 6.8 mm ammunition, which the US Army describes as having superior ability to destroy targets, while maintaining the same range as the old weapon.

The US Army plans to buy up to 250,000 XM5 and XM250 guns. When receiving weapons from the manufacturing contractor, the US military will rename them to M5 and M250.

“The first delivery of weapons is expected in the second quarter of 2023,” according to information from the Army.