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The SIG-Sauer LMG-6.8 has been selected by the United States Army to succeed its aging stock of M249 Squad Automatic Weapons (SAWs). The selection comes as the service has also moved to adopt the SIG-Sauer MCX-based MCX-SPEAR modular assault weapon to follow the M4A1 under the "Next Generation Squad Weapon" (NGSW) program. Both are to be chambered around the new 6.8x51mm SIG FURY cartridge promising more penetration at-range over that of the in-service 5.56mm cartridge, particularly against body-armored targets.

The original SIG MCX (detailed elsewhere on this site) line debuted in 2015 and encompasses a variety of automatic weapons all centered on high modularity in the familiar, modern AR-15-style framework.

Into 2022, the M249 SAW Light Machine Gun (LMG) continues to serve in the inventory of the U.S. Army and represents the Americanized version of the Belgian FN "Minimi" (detailed elsewhere on this site) in 5.56mm. The type was adopted in the 1980s and saw first combat use in the Invasion of Panama - eventually proving its worth in both major and minor engagements of the last thirty-plus years with American forces. The NGSW program has sought to replace the M4 Carbine, M249 SAW, and M240 Medium Machine Gun (MMG) currently in the Army inventory and offer replacements integrated a complete Fire Control System (FCS) while centering the trio of weapons around the heftier, man-stopping 6.8mm cartridge.

Following further testing of the LMG-6.8 under the developmental "XM250" designation, the weapon will enter service as the M249s direct replacement under the "M250" designation where it will take-over the squad fire support role alongside the M5 modular assault weapon.

The LMG-6.8 will rely on the company's patented SIG 6.8x51 FURY Hybrid Ammunition cartridge which utilizes a lightweight metallic case for higher pressures at play, in turn delivering higher-velocity rounds presumably with greater accuracy at-range.

In the LMG arrangement, the XM250 is a belt-fed system feeding from an under-frame soft case, the belts entering the frame from the left side and exiting from the right. The gun's arrangement is still very conventional with underslung pistol grip / trigger unit, extended barrel assembly, and solid shoulder stock while the internal action is of the proven gas operation. A full-length section of Picatinny rail is seated over the frame for the mounting of various tactical accessories and a suppressor is set to be part of the standard-issue kit for the complete weapon system. Like the XM5, the XM250 will feature an adjustable and folding shoulder support. A hinged, folding bipod will be affixed along the length of the gas cylinder assembly as a forward support. Heat dissipation is aided by a heavily perforated forend.

The XM5/M5 modular assault weapon system features many of these same traits in a lighter, more transportable form and both are set to evolve the Army's tool kit for generations to come.©MilitaryFactory.com

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