SIG MCX SPEAR

The SIG MCX SPEAR is an adaptable multi-caliber rifle chambered in the .277 SIG FURY cartridge, but can be easily converted to both 7.62×51mm NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor.[1] It was developed from the smaller SIG MCX.

History

In January 2019, the United States military began the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program to find replacements for the M4 carbine and M249 light machine gun. In September 2019, SIG Sauer submitted their designs.[2] The XM5 was designed to fire the 6.8×51mm SIG Fury cartridge in response to concerns that improvements in body armor would diminish the effectiveness of common battlefield rounds such as the 5.56×45mm NATO (used in the M4 and M249) and 7.62×51mm NATO.[3][4][5]

On 19 April 2022, the United States Army awarded a 10-year contract to Sig Sauer to produce the XM5 rifle, along with the XM250 Automatic Rifle, to replace the M4 and M249, respectively.[6][7]

Variants

SIG MCX RAPTOR

The SIG MCX RAPTOR is a short-barreled rifle variant intended to serve as a carbine, featuring a 200 mm (7.9 in) barrel, and comes with a Picatinny rail tail interface for attaching either a compact buttstock or a folding PCB (pistol contour brace). It is available in 7.62x51mm NATO, 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.8x51mm SIG FURY.[8]

CSASS Program

The SIG MCX-MR (Mid Range) is SIG Sauer's unsuccessful submission for the United States Army's Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS) program.[9] It is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO and has selective fire capabilities. It weighs 8.9 lb (4.0 kg) and features a 406 mm (16 in) fluted, 416 stainless steel barrel, with a 1:10 inch twist, which is manufactured by Bartlein Barrels. The gas system features suppressed and unsuppressed settings. Unlike the handguard of the MCX, which slides off after pulling the front pivot pin, the MCX-MR requires popping off two screws first. It features both an M16/AR-15 type charging handle and a left side charging handle. It uses a 20-round magazine and is also compatible with SR-25 lower receivers for use of SR-25 box magazines.[10]

NGSW (XM5)

The SIG MCX SPEAR was Sig Sauer's submission for the United States Army Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, as chambered in 6.8x51mm SIG FURY cartridge.[11][12][13][14] Sig Sauer was chosen was the winner on 19 April 2022, designating the weapon the XM5 in U.S. military service.[15]

References
  1. Commercially Available! The SIG Sauer NGSW MCX-SPEAR
  2. Moss, Matthew (2022-04-19). "SIG Sauer Wins US Army Next Generation Squad Weapon Contract". Overt Defense. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  3. South, Todd (2022-04-19). "Army chooses Sig Sauer to build its Next Generation Squad Weapon". Army Times. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  4. Schogol, Jeff (2022-04-19). "Army selects Sig Sauer to produce Next Generation Squad Weapon and ammo". Task & Purpose. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  5. Mizokami, Kyle (2022-04-21). "The Army's Next-Gen Infantry Weapons Will Be More Lethal and More Accurate". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  6. Beynon, Steve (2022-04-19). "Army Picks Its Replacement for the M4 and SAW". Military.com. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  7. "Army awards Next Generation Squad Weapon contract". Army.mil, 19 April 2022.
  8. "NEW Sig MCX Raptor: A Mini-Spear or a Mega-Rattler?". YouTube.
  9. Jahner, Kyle (8 April 2016). "H&K confirms: This is the Army's new and improved sniper rifle". Army Times. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  10. Merrill, David (21 May 2015). "RECOIL Exclusive: An Inside Look at Sig Sauer's CSASS – The MCX-MR". Recoil.
  11. "U.S. Military and Agency Sales | SIG SAUER".
  12. "SIG Sauer NGSW-R MCX Spear assault rifle (USA)". December 2019.
  13. "SIG MCX Spear: The U.S. Army's Next Rifle?". 23 March 2021.
  14. "[TFB GUNFEST] the SIG Sauer MCX Spear NGSW Rifle -". 15 January 2021.
  15. Army chooses Sig Sauer to build its Next Generation Squad Weapon. Army Times. 19 April 2022.
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