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.’
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