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Hub AI
M7 rifle AI simulator
(@M7 rifle_simulator)
Hub AI
M7 rifle AI simulator
(@M7 rifle_simulator)
M7 rifle
The M7 rifle, previously designated as XM7 and originally as XM5, is the U.S. Army's adopted variant of the SIG MCX-SPEAR chambered in 6.8×51mm Common Cartridge (.277 Fury), designed by SIG Sauer for the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program in 2022 to replace the M4 carbine.
The M7 features a gas-operated system, a free-floating reinforced M-LOK handguard for direct accessory attachment to slotted hole mounting points, and uses a SR-25 pattern magazine. It began being fielded in March 2024.
In January 2019, the United States Army began the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program to find replacements for the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. In September 2019, SIG Sauer submitted its designs. The SIG Sauer MCX-SPEAR (the rifle's commercial designation) is chambered in .277 Fury (later designated the "6.8 Common Cartridge" after Army acceptance) in response to concerns that improvements in body armor would diminish the effectiveness of calibers such as 5.56×45mm NATO (for the M4A1 and M249 SAW) and 7.62×51mm NATO (for the M240).
On 19 April 2022, the Army awarded a 10-year contract to SIG Sauer to produce the XM7 rifle, along with the XM250 light machine gun, to replace the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, respectively. The rifle was originally designated as the XM5, continuing the numerical sequence from the M4 carbine it is set to replace. In January 2023, the Army announced it would change the name of the rifle from XM5 to XM7 to avoid a trademark conflict with Colt's M5 carbine.
The first batch of 25 XM7s was planned for delivery in late 2023. The Army may order 107,000 rifles over the succeeding decade for close combat forces, including infantry, cavalry scouts, combat engineers, forward observers, and combat medics. There are no plans to issue the weapons to non-close combat soldiers. The contract has the option to build additional weapons should the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command choose to be included.
XM7s were delivered to the 101st Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment in September 2023 for user tests. Operational testing of the XM7 rifle, XM250 light machine gun, and XM157 Fire Control Optic was scheduled to begin in 2024 (at which point it would become the M7) but widespread distribution was not assured.
In March 2024, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division began fielding the XM7.
In May 2025, the XM7 was type classified as the M7 rifle. The Type Classification confirms the system meets the U.S. Army's stringent standards for operational performance, safety, and sustainment.
M7 rifle
The M7 rifle, previously designated as XM7 and originally as XM5, is the U.S. Army's adopted variant of the SIG MCX-SPEAR chambered in 6.8×51mm Common Cartridge (.277 Fury), designed by SIG Sauer for the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program in 2022 to replace the M4 carbine.
The M7 features a gas-operated system, a free-floating reinforced M-LOK handguard for direct accessory attachment to slotted hole mounting points, and uses a SR-25 pattern magazine. It began being fielded in March 2024.
In January 2019, the United States Army began the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program to find replacements for the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. In September 2019, SIG Sauer submitted its designs. The SIG Sauer MCX-SPEAR (the rifle's commercial designation) is chambered in .277 Fury (later designated the "6.8 Common Cartridge" after Army acceptance) in response to concerns that improvements in body armor would diminish the effectiveness of calibers such as 5.56×45mm NATO (for the M4A1 and M249 SAW) and 7.62×51mm NATO (for the M240).
On 19 April 2022, the Army awarded a 10-year contract to SIG Sauer to produce the XM7 rifle, along with the XM250 light machine gun, to replace the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, respectively. The rifle was originally designated as the XM5, continuing the numerical sequence from the M4 carbine it is set to replace. In January 2023, the Army announced it would change the name of the rifle from XM5 to XM7 to avoid a trademark conflict with Colt's M5 carbine.
The first batch of 25 XM7s was planned for delivery in late 2023. The Army may order 107,000 rifles over the succeeding decade for close combat forces, including infantry, cavalry scouts, combat engineers, forward observers, and combat medics. There are no plans to issue the weapons to non-close combat soldiers. The contract has the option to build additional weapons should the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command choose to be included.
XM7s were delivered to the 101st Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment in September 2023 for user tests. Operational testing of the XM7 rifle, XM250 light machine gun, and XM157 Fire Control Optic was scheduled to begin in 2024 (at which point it would become the M7) but widespread distribution was not assured.
In March 2024, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division began fielding the XM7.
In May 2025, the XM7 was type classified as the M7 rifle. The Type Classification confirms the system meets the U.S. Army's stringent standards for operational performance, safety, and sustainment.
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