Lonestar and True Velocity build strategic partnership for NGSW and beyond
6.8 TVCM composite-cased cartridges. (Photo: True Velocity)
Texas-based Lonestar Future Weapons on 12 April announced a strategic partnership with composite-cased ammunition manufacturer True Velocity, as part of a bid for the US Army Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) programme.
The US Army aims for NGSW to replace its M4/M16 5.56x45mm rifle and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) with new rifles firing 6.8mm rounds to provide increased range, stopping power and body armour penetration.
General Dynamic Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) is offering its RM277 bullpup design and a longer barrelled variant, both of them with a polymer composite round in partnership with True Velocity.
‘Lonestar Future Weapons will assume the prime contractor role in the final stage of the NGSW weapons system submission, focused on manufacturing the advanced weapons required to meet or exceed all standards set forth by the US Army,’ True Velocity announced.
For its part, True Velocity will continue to serve as an ammunition subcontractor responsible for the provision of its 6.8 TVCM composite-cased cartridge.
It added: ‘Together, Lonestar Future Weapons and True Velocity will develop additional next-generation weapons and ammunition solutions, targeting forthcoming force modernisation contracts.’
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Land Warfare
-
DSEI 2025: AM General has partner lined up for British Army vehicle programme
AM General’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2 is in low-rate initial production and the company is looking for export orders, notably the UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP), to add to a recent approval for Canada to buy vehicles.
-
DSEI 2025: IDV sets eyes on British Army vehicle deal as MD calls for “acceleration” of efforts
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) to replace thousands of vehicles is in flux as the tender for the Light Mobility Vehicle segment planned for November is set to be missed. IDV Robotics’ Dr Geoff Davis is calling for the UK government to focus broadly on indigenous capability for procurement and to do it faster.
-
DSEI 2025: Elbit Systems set to field joint fires systems as it looks to large UK requirements
Elbit Systems UK was awarded the Dismounted Joint Fires Integrators (D-JFI) programme in January 2021, which will integrate with the UK’s army, marines and air force. The parent company has decades of heritage in the UK and is looking to compete for the Watchkeeper drone replacement.
-
DSEI 2025: Milrem’s Havoc 8×8 robot to undergo live firing trials next year
The Havoc uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) was unveiled at IDEX 2025 in February. It is built around a hybrid electric powertrain which provides silent running over medium distances and silent watch for extended periods of time.
-
DSEI 2025: ST Engineering kicks off export drive for new Bronco 3
The original Bronco was developed to meet the requirements of the Singapore Army and subsequently built in large numbers and many configurations.