Army Announces Two New Rifles for Close-combat Soldiers

The Army announced that is has awarded a contract to manufacturer SIG Sauer for two new soldier weapons: the XM5 rifle and the XM250 automatic rifle. For soldiers involved in close-quarters combat, the XM5 will eventually replace the M4/M4A1 carbine rifle, while the XM250 will replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. Both new rifles will use the new 6.8 mm common cartridge family of ammunition as well as a new fire control system. This is the first time in 65 years that the Army will field a new weapon system of this nature: a rifle, an automatic rifle, a fire control system, and a new caliber family of ammunition.

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