The different branches of the United States armed forces have been using the M16 and M4 as their standard issue rifle since the late 1960s. However, almost six decades later, the Army has set its sights on a more accurate, powerful, and cost-effective replacement.

The purpose of the Next Generation Squad Weapons Program is to replace the M4 and the M249 SAW and create a weapon that can serve as an assault rifle and a machine gun.

To achieve this goal, the program aims to use a standard 6.8-millimeter cartridge for both systems and increase the lethality of a squad at all ranges. Such an intermediate cartridge has better accuracy, range, control, and penetration than the standard 5.56-millimeter cartridge.

It is believed that these new weapons can defeat any body armor currently used by armed forces around the globe...

свернуть