SIG Sauer has been awarded a contract for the supply of a new small arms system in the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program.

The contact includes a complete system consisting of a 6.8 mm hybrid ammunition, a light machine gun, a rifle and dedicated silencers. SIG SAUER will be responsible for the comprehensive manufacturing of ammunition, weapons and silencers. This approach is to eliminate the a possible risk of any discrepancies that usually occur when production of one small arms system by many manufacturers.

The focal point of the system supplied by SIG Sauer is the new, high-pressure 6.8 mm hybrid ammunition that is to be used in both the new LMG and carbine made by SIG. According to Sig Sauer's CEO Ron Cohen, it represents "a significant leap forward in ammunition innovation, design, and manufacturing.”

The SIG SAUER 6.8 mm hybrid ammunition has been designed for increased penetration over longer distances. The new round is more compact, has a higher muzzle velocity while significantly reducing its weight.

The SIG's LMG (NGSW-AR) is a very light, medium caliber machine gun with AR system ergonomic, chambered for the 6.8 mm hybrid ammunition. The weapon features a quick-change magazines, a side ammunition belt feeding system, increased space available on the 1913 Picatinny rail for night vision and support devices, a collapsible buttstock and a silencer.

The new rifle of the SIG system (NGSW-Rifle) is also chambered for the 6.8 mm hybrid ammunition. It is characterized by low weight, an MLOK (free-floating) front, a side charging handle, double-sided manipulators, a collapsible buttstock and a silencer.

Source: soldiersystems.net, thefirearmblog.com, twitter.com/sigsauerinc