The replacement of M4 and M249 is getting closer: in the USA, new rifles under the caliber of 6.8 mm were tested in Alaska

The military tested in extreme low temperatures a new machine gun and an assault rifle.

The US Army conducted testing of the XM7 assault rifle and the XM250 machine gun in harsh Arctic conditions within the Army Cold Region Test Center program. This is reported by the Army Recongition.

To replace the M4 assault rifle and the M249 submachine gun, the US is developing weapons with a new 6.8-mm caliber. The new weapon has numerous improvements along with accuracy and range. Despite the increase in caliber from 5.56 mm, the new weapon is lighter and has less recoil.

XM7 and XM250 were tested in harsh conditions in Alaska at the beginning of the year, which should confirm the reliability and effectiveness of machine guns and rifles in extreme conditions. The tests were conducted by soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division, who are stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

The tests covered various scenarios: static firing, maneuvering, and others. They continued a 72-hour simulation on large test sites, which tested not only performance, but also its endurance under conditions of severe cold. During all the manipulations, data on the weapon was collected: the accuracy of hitting targets, a comprehensive evaluation of the human factor, in particular, adaptation to the use of weapons in cold conditions.

The introduction of the XM7 and XM250 into the US Army arsenal represents a transformative moment in military armament. . The priority of new products is accuracy, range and operator comfort. The project emphasizes the continuous development of military technologies.

XM7 — it is an assault rifle that is supposed to replace the M4, which has been in service with the US Army for several decades. It is part of the US Next Generation Squad Weapon program. Similarly, the XM250 machine gun should replace the M249 light machine gun, which has been in service since the 1980s.