Last week the US Army announced it had down selected three companies to supply prototypes for their Next Generation Squad Weapon program – to provide the Army’s next rifle (NGSW-R) and squad automatic weapon or automatic rifle (NGSW-AR). They have released the first photographs of the SIG NGSW prototype, with a box magazine fed rifle, with a side-folding stock and a belt-fed automatic rifle with an interesting quick detatchment feed attachment system. The SIG Sauer will now compete against weapons submitted by General Dynamics and AAI/Textron Systems.

SIG Sauer’s NGSW-AR and NGSW-R prototypes (SIG Sauer)

The SIG Sauer weapons are chambered in a 6.8mm hybrid ammunition – with hybrid brass and steel cases, not polymer. The weapon package is rounded out by a suppressors developed by SIG Sauer for the weapons.

Here’s some teaser video from SIG Sauer:

BREAKING: SIG NGSW Prototype Unveiled To The Public

SIG SAUER, Inc. is proud to announce the official award of a contract by the U.S. Army in the down-select process for the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW).  The award encompasses the complete SIG SAUER system consisting of 6.8mm hybrid ammunition, a lightweight machine gun, rifle, and included suppressors.  SIG SAUER will provide single source manufacturing for ammunition, weapons, and suppressors allowing for less risk and increased capability for the U.S. Army.

“The U.S. Army is leading the world in the first significant upgrade to small arms in decades to meet the growing demands of soldiers on the battlefield.  We are honored to have been selected for the Next Generation Squad Weapons program bringing increased lethality to the warfighter over the legacy weapons,” began Ron Cohen, President & CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc.  “At the core of our submission is our newly developed, high-pressure, 6.8mm hybrid ammunition that is utilized in both weapons, and is a significant leap forward in ammunition innovation, design, and manufacturing.”

The SIG SAUER 6.8mm hybrid ammunition is designed for increased penetration at greater distances.  Cohen continued, “using patent-pending technology the SIG SAUER Ammunition division has engineered a completely new cartridge resulting in a more compact round, with increased velocity and accuracy, while delivering a substantial reduction in the weight of the ammunition.”

The primary objectives set forth by the U.S. Army for the NGSW-AR was a weapon with the firepower and range of a machine gun, coupled with the precision and ergonomics of a rifle.  The SIG SAUER NGSW-AR submission is an ultra-light, medium caliber machine gun with AR ergonomics, and chambered in 6.8mm hybrid ammunition.  Features include quick detach magazines, side opening feed tray, increased available 1913 rail space for night vision and enablers, folding buttstock, and suppressor.

A closer, cropped, look at SIG’s hybrid 6.8mm rounds with a brass case body and presumably aluminium or steel case head (SIG Sauer)

Additionally, the Prototype Project Opportunity Notice (PPON) requirements were inclusive of an NGSW-Rifle. The SIG SAUER NGSW-Rifle submission, also chambered in 6.8mm hybrid, is lightweight and features a free-floating reinforced M-LOK™ handguard, side-charging handle, full ambidextrous controls, folding buttstock, and suppressor.

“The U.S. Army challenged the industry to bring forward significant improvements to the legacy weapons. The SIG SAUER NGSW-AR is lighter in weight, with dramatically less recoil than that currently in service, while our carbine for the NGSW-Rifle submission is built on the foundation of SIG SAUER weapons in service with the premier fighting forces across the globe.  Both weapons are designed with features that will increase the capabilities of the soldier,” commented Cohen. “The final component of the SIG SAUER Next Generation Weapons System is our suppressor, which through exhaustively researched design enhancements, reduces harmful backflow and signature.”

As outlined in the recent award issued by the U.S. Army, SIG SAUER will deliver a complete SIG SAUER system inclusive of the SIG SAUER 6.8mm hybrid ammunition, lightweight machine gun, rifle, and suppressors.

“SIG SAUER has designed the most comprehensive solution to meet the requirements of the Next Generation Squad Weapons to enhance mission effectiveness.  We are looking forward to partnering with the U.S. Army throughout this process and ensuring our soldiers are equipped for the demands of the modern battlefield,” concluded Cohen.

Here’s another photo SIG Sauer shared on twitter:

THE NEXT GENERATION HAS ARRIVED!
SIG SAUER is proud to have been selected by the U.S. Army for the Next Generation Squad Weapon System Program. At SIG SAUER our mission is to develop the most innovative and transformative weapon systems in the world. pic.twitter.com/Jc2toedWf8

— SIG SAUER (@sigsauerinc) September 3, 2019

Find out more at SIGSauer.com