XM7 Rifle: US Army's Next-Gen Weapon Impresses Soldiers

The XM7 Rifle Arrives

The United States Army's Next Generation XM7 primary rifle is now being distributed to regular soldiers, marking a significant milestone in military small arms development. In March 2024, the first batch of 1,500 XM7 rifles and 200 XM250 machine guns were issued to the historic 506th Parachute Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division. This rollout has provided valuable insights into the weapon's capabilities and how the soldiers who will be using it in the field feel about their new equipment.

Soldier Feedback on the XM7

After test firing the weapon, Sergeant Marcus Coulston shared his impressions with the press. He noted that the recoil was "very negligible" despite the larger round, and the weight of the weapon was not a significant issue. This initial feedback is promising, suggesting that the XM7 may be more manageable in combat situations than some had anticipated.

One of the most striking demonstrations of the XM7's capabilities came when soldiers fired at a 9mm thick steel target. The round from the XM7 punched straight through the steel, a feat that impressed the troops who noted that their M4 carbines could barely dent similar targets. This performance suggests a significant increase in penetration power, which could have major tactical implications.

Improved Penetration and Range

The enhanced penetration capabilities of the XM7 were further demonstrated when troops reported being able to blast through cinder blocks. Even more impressively, the 6.8mm bullet continued traveling and still hit targets directly behind the initial obstacle. This ability to turn cover into concealment by shooting through walls and barriers is a game-changing feature that could alter infantry tactics.

Sergeant Coulston emphasized the significance of this improvement, stating, "I don't think anybody with body armor is going to be able to survive a round from the XM7. Light-skinned armored vehicles, same story. The penetration from the round is just a huge improvement over the M4."

This comment raises an interesting point about the XM7's potential role in engaging light armored vehicles. While the primary design focus was on defeating advanced body armor, the rifle's capabilities may extend to penetrating older thin-skinned armored vehicles like the BTR-80, which has a 10mm hull steel thickness.

Technical Specifications and Comparisons

The XM7 rifle fires a new 6.8mm round that delivers approximately 2,700 ft-lb of force, nearly double the 1,370 ft-lb force of the 5.56mm round used in the M4 carbine. This significant increase in power is what enables the improved penetration and extended effective range of the new weapon system.

However, this enhanced performance comes with some trade-offs. The XM7 rifle is about 3 pounds heavier than the M4 when unloaded. When equipped with its 2-pound optic, the total system weighs around 12 pounds, making it about 4 pounds heavier than the legacy M4 system. This increased weight reduces the amount of ammunition a soldier can carry from 210 rounds to 140 rounds. Magazine sizes are also reduced from 30 rounds to either 25 or 20 rounds.

Addressing Weight Concerns

Despite the added weight, many soldiers testing the XM7 have reported that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Staff Sergeant Steel, an 11-year infantry veteran from the 101st Airborne, told Stars and Stripes that the added weight and recoil were not particularly noticeable. He praised the new optic, saying, "It honestly makes the heavier weight worth it. You can get on target faster, your precision goes up, more rounds faster and more accurate on targets downrange."

Commander Vogel of the 101st Airborne addressed the weight concern directly, suggesting that soldiers will adapt to the new system: "I think we're going to get used to the weight and how to carry this new weapon system. That's the biggest thing. I think you grab it and you realize it's a lot heavier, but these soldiers, once they saw the energy on target it was able to produce, they kind of say, 'Okay, I just need to hit the gym a little bit more and work on my biceps.' It's worth it."

The XM157 Optic: A Game-Changer

One aspect of the new weapon system that has received universal praise is the XM157 optic. This advanced sighting system uses a built-in infrared laser to automatically calculate bullet drop with a ballistic computer. It offers 1-8x magnification, doubling the magnification range of the older ACOG system.

Staff Sergeant Steel highlighted the optic's benefits: "It's going to allow us to engage the enemy earlier than we would have. If we see an enemy far out, we can get better eyes on with the optic."

The improved optic, combined with the increased range and penetration of the 6.8mm round, allows soldiers to take full advantage of the XM7's capabilities, potentially changing engagement dynamics on the battlefield.

Suppressor Integration

Another significant upgrade with the XM7 is the integration of suppressors as standard equipment for every infantryman. This is a major shift from previous practices where suppressors were typically reserved for special operations forces.

The inclusion of suppressors is particularly important in modern warfare, where reducing a soldier's visual and auditory signature can be crucial for survival. Suppressors help to minimize the chance of detection by enemy thermal drones and other advanced surveillance systems.

Ammunition Costs and Production

One of the challenges facing the XM7 program is the cost of ammunition. The special purpose, high-powered version of the 6.8mm ammo costs about $15.70 per shot, according to unclassified US Army procurement sheets. The general-purpose XM7 ammo is less expensive at about $2.73 per shot, but this is still significantly higher than the $0.47 per round cost of legacy 5.56mm service ammunition.

However, these high costs are likely due to the current low production volumes. As economies of scale come into play, prices are expected to decrease. Sig Sauer, the manufacturer of the XM7, has announced plans to open a $150 million, 250,000 square foot ammunition plant in Jacksonville, Arkansas. This investment should help bring down ammunition costs and ensure a stable supply chain for the new round.

Two Types of Ammunition

The XM7 system utilizes two types of ammunition: a high-powered round for defeating body armor and a regular, less powerful type. The high-powered round operates at a pressure of 80,000 PSI when fired, compared to the 50,000 PSI of conventional 5.56mm rounds. This increased pressure results in higher velocities and greater penetration capabilities.

While the high-powered round offers superior performance, it also increases recoil and may degrade barrel life more quickly. However, Sig Sauer claims that the XM7's barrel life is still better than the M4, lasting over 10,000 rounds.

Potential Drawbacks and Criticisms

Despite the generally positive feedback, some critics argue that the XM7 and its new caliber trade too much close combat performance for long-range punch. They suggest that lessons from the war in Ukraine might indicate that trench warfare scenarios could be less than ideal for this weapon system due to its heavier weight and higher recoil.

However, the US Army's new FM 3-0 Multi-Domain Operations doctrine emphasizes avoiding getting dragged into trench battles, instead focusing on maintaining maneuver warfare. This doctrinal approach aligns with the XM7's design philosophy of providing overmatch capabilities at extended ranges.

Anonymous Soldier Feedback

While official channels have provided mostly positive feedback, anonymous posts on military forums offer a more nuanced perspective. One poster, claiming to be a high-ranking officer, shared their experience after using the XM7 for three days straight. They noted that while the weight becomes less noticeable after a day or so, it remains a factor in standing positions and during close-quarters battle (CQB) scenarios.

The officer reported that they found themselves moving significantly slower with the XM7s during CQB drills, with delayed response and engagement times compared to the M4. They also mentioned that the suppressor functions more as an enhanced flash hider than a true sound suppressor.

Logistical Considerations

The adoption of the XM7 and its proprietary 6.8mm ammunition presents unique logistical challenges. Currently, the United States is the only nation producing this ammunition for military use. This exclusivity could potentially impact supply chains and interoperability with allied forces in joint operations.

The US military's global network of supply depots will need to be updated to accommodate the new ammunition type. Each major depot typically stores millions of rounds of 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition, but currently lacks stocks of the new 6.8mm rounds.

The XM250 Machine Gun

While much of the focus has been on the XM7 rifle, it's important to note that it's being fielded alongside the XM250 machine gun. The XM250 has received fewer criticisms and offers significant advantages over its predecessor, the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon).

The XM250 is considerably lighter than the M249, which addresses one of the main concerns about the increased weight of the XM7 rifle. It also offers improved accuracy and range, complementing the capabilities of the XM7 and potentially enhancing overall squad performance.

Future Implications

The adoption of the XM7 rifle and XM250 machine gun represents a significant shift in US Army small arms doctrine. If successful, this new weapon system could set the trend for infantry weapons worldwide for decades to come, much like previous US Army rifle adoptions have done.

However, the true test of these weapons will come if and when they are used in actual combat operations. Only then will we fully understand if the trade-offs in weight and ammunition capacity are justified by the improved range, accuracy, and penetration capabilities.

Conclusion

The rollout of the XM7 rifle to regular US Army units marks a significant milestone in military small arms development. Initial feedback from soldiers has been largely positive, with many impressed by the weapon's improved range, accuracy, and penetration capabilities.

While concerns about increased weight and ammunition costs remain, many soldiers feel that the benefits outweigh these drawbacks. The integration of advanced optics and suppressors as standard equipment further enhances the system's capabilities.

As the XM7 continues to be tested and evaluated in various scenarios, its true impact on infantry tactics and effectiveness will become clearer. Whether it will truly revolutionize infantry combat or prove to be an expensive misstep remains to be seen. What is certain is that the XM7 represents a bold step forward in military small arms technology, one that will likely influence weapon design and doctrine for years to come.

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