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The first photo of AAI/Textron’s Next Generation Squad Weapon prototypes has emerged. The NGSW-Rifle and NGSW-Automatic Rifle were photographed at Fort Benning, Georgia, during the Annual Maneuver Conference at the Fort’s Maneuver Centre. The 2019 Maneuver Warfighter Conference was held over two days, 10-12 September, and was attended by dozens of vendors specialising in small arms systems, accessories and equipment. One of Textron’s submission partners, Heckler & Koch, were also in attendance.
Textron are attending as conference vendors and their primary items on display appear to be their NGSW weapons. On the left is their carbine and on the right their light machine gun. Both weapons at chambered in a polymer 6.8mm cased telescoped round. We have few details on the weapon systems but the NGSW-AR looks to have externally evolved from Textron’s earlier LSAT weapon systems.
Textron’s NGSW program prototypes (U.S. Army photo by Markeith Horace, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs Office)
We reached out to Textron about the photo who said they were excited for a full reveal at next month’s AUSA and said prototype “samples are already being iterated based on user feedback and the prototype will evolve as a result. Visitors to AUSA will begin to see that process underway and hear more about it.”
Textron Systems’ NGSW-R prototype (U.S. Army photo by Markeith Horace, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs Office)
The carbine appears to have a deep receiver with what may be a battery pack with a rounded base, just in front of the magazine housing. This appears to leave just a few inches of free 6 o’clock rail space. Both the carbine and automatic rifle have a full length 12 o’clock Picatinny rails (though the NGSW-ARs is interrupted by its feed tray) and both appear to mount similar Suppressors. The carbine, like the earlier 6.5 CT prototype shown earlier uses AR-style controls and the AR’s charging handle. The NGSW-AR appears to have a right side charging handle.
Textron Systems’ NGSW-AR prototype, pictured with belt bag (U.S. Army photo by Markeith Horace, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs Office)
Specifications and further details about the weapons aren’t currently available but also present on the Textron table is a short belt, of what appears to be, Textron’s 6.8mm CT ammunition. The dimensions of the ammunition are also currently undisclosed.
Textron had previously noted that their submission would not be made public until the AUSA conference next month, but we can treat this image from the Fort Benning Maneuver Center press office as a teaser. It’s great to finally be seeing photos of the NGSW prototypes.
H/T – Nathaniel F
