This summer, the U.S. Army plans to rigorously test its newest weapons, including the XM7 Rifle and XM250 Automatic Rifle, in various extreme environments ranging from scorching heat to frigid cold and muddy terrains. Designed by Sig Sauer, these rifles aim to replace the aging M4A1 Carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon within the next decade, following over 100 technical tests and millions of rounds fired.
In a bid to provide soldiers with advanced weaponry, the Army will also assess the guns’ performance under conditions like malfunctions during live fire and blank rounds. Soldiers have already expressed mixed feelings about the new models, with concerns about increased weight, particularly with the XM7 being two pounds heavier than its predecessor. With the summer tests approaching, the Army hopes to identify areas for improvement before these weapons are rolled out to combat units next year.
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