101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo

By Mr. Thomas Mort, Audio Visual Specialist, and Maj. Thomas Lorenson, Senior Test and Evaluation Officer, Maneuver Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test CommandOctober 28, 2024

101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Soldier from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division engages targets with an XM250 weapon system after bounding as part of the individual movement techniques (IMT) lane during Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 16 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division engages targets during an individual movement techniques (IMT) lane as part of the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 16 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division engages a target at roughly 800-meters on the enemy counterattack lane, during the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 15 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division executes night Urban Rifle Marksmanship training, during the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 14 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — Roughly 200 Airborne Infantry Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) are running the Next Generation Squad Weapon system through its paces at Fort Campbell from Sept. 1 to Oct. 30, 2024.

Soldiers from Alpha and Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment are taking part in an operational assessment featuring a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges.

It is a key step in modernizing the combat force and aims to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers, according to Mr. Elbert L. Grayson, Supervisory Military Test Plans Analyst, Maneuver Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command.

“The Army needs equipment to continually evolve, to meet the threat of our adversaries,” said Grayson.

The NGSW system will be the next stage in that evolution.

101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division engage a 25-meter target during the Urban Rifle Marksmanship training as part of the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 14 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mort ) VIEW ORIGINAL
101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division execute a building entry and room clearance as part of an urban attack, during Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 10 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. This exercise was part of the 72-hour combat operations, an essential step in modernizing the combat force for over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division engage opposing forces as part of a 72-hour mission scenario during the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 10 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force and aims to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division depart for a day of squad live fire exercises as part of Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 10 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: Mr. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL

“Information is needed to make improvements to the NGSW that will benefit America’s most precious resource, our Soldiers,” Grayson added.

The new weapon system is slated to replace the M4 carbine and M249 squad automatic weapons, representing a significant advancement in firepower, range and accuracy.

“Having seen the capabilities of the 6.8 [mm] round, I have confidence that it will easily do in one to two rounds, what the 5.56 [mm] did in two to four,” said Capt. John M. Green, Commander of A-CO, 1-506th, 101st ABN DIV.

Direct feedback from U.S. Army Soldiers provides invaluable insight to ensure future warfighters receive the best possible equipment when it matters most.

“The force on force is really exciting, really fun, getting in there and doing training against human beings, not just targets, and actually squaring off [against another] unit making plans and objectives, I think it is a really good training experience for sure,” explained Sgt. Todd Smallwood, First Squad Team Leader, A-CO, 1-506th, 101st ABN DIV.

According to Grayson, the NGSW testing is being conducted under the most rigorous conditions to simulate real combat and ensure that the weapon can meet the demand of future conflicts.

“We have been doing the operational assessment on the NGSW weapons, the XM7, the XM250, and also with the XM157 scopes on the weapon systems,” said Smallwood. “We've been doing quite a bit of ranges, and pop-up targets, trying to recreate platoon assault objectives.”

101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Soldier from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division engages Bravo Company opposing Forces during a 72-hour Mission Scenario, as part of Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 9 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: Mr. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division engages Bravo Company opposing forces during a 72-hour Mission Scenario, as part of Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 9 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division maneuvers into position while conducting movement to contact, deliberate attack, and hasty defense exercises as part of Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 8 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. This operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: Mr. Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL
101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division takes aim with his XM7 rifle while conducting movement to contact, deliberate attack, and hasty defense exercises, as part of Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 8 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL

Besides standard training environments, the operational assessment was designed to simulate combat as closely as possible.

“The capability of the [6.8mm] round being able to puncture and turn cover into concealment, I think it will make a huge difference in urban and forest environments,” said Smallwood.

Soldiers were challenged to perform individual movement techniques while engaging targets up to 300 meters away. This IMT lane requires Soldiers to bound, low-crawl, and high-crawl while maintaining accurate fire, ensuring that the weapon performed reliably under strenuous conditions.

They had to complete the course while under simulated combat stress, pushing their physical and mental limits.

101st Airborne Soldiers assess new Next Generation Squad Weapon with 6.8mm ammo
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division reloads his rifle while conducting movement to contact, deliberate attack, and hasty defense exercises, as part of Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) system testing Oct. 8 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The operational assessment features a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges and is a key step in modernizing the combat force, aiming to impact over 120,000 U.S. Army Soldiers. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Thomas Mort) VIEW ORIGINAL

“We did 72 hours of force-on-force, urban rifle marksmanship, and we’re going to finish with a stress shoot,” said 1st Sgt. Barron C. Garrard, First Sergeant of A-CO, 1-506th, 101st ABN DIV. “I think it [the NGSW] will change daily life in the way that we fight.”

In preparation for future operational environments, Soldiers also tested the NGSW in simulated chemical, biologic, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) environments.

“I like the fact that the testing of equipment has a possible impact on the next generation Soldiers that will be using it,” said Grayson. “My son is a Soldier that may use equipment that I have had a part in testing, so I’m motivated to provide the most accurate data for Army leadership to make the most informed acquisition decision.”

This critical aspect of the assessment ensured that the weapon system can be operated even in the aftermath of a chemical, nuclear or biological environment.

“The NGSW's advanced capabilities and comprehensive training program will significantly enhance the lethality and survivability of our troops, ensuring they are prepared for the challenges of future combat operations,” said Mr. Troy Willey, Test Officer in Charge with MTD. “The 6.8mm round offers superior ballistic performance and the NGSW overall represents a significant leap in lethality.

“I feel privileged to be part of this transformative period for the Army,” Willey continued. “Working with the Soldiers who are assigned this system during the assessment is an absolute honor.”