Textron Systems has delivered the initial Next Generation Squad Weapon-Technology (NGSW-T) prototype demonstrator to the US Army, the company announced on 25 March.
The demonstrator has been delivered to the army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center and Joint Services Small Arms Program.
The automatic rifle prototype is based on the company’s cased-telescoped (CT) weapons and ammunition technology, which increases lethality at longer ranges and reduces total system weight. It is the first of five weapon demonstrators that Textron Systems will deliver for the programme.
Technologies demonstrated under the NGSW-T effort will inform the army’s formal NGSW programme and include weapon and ammunition weight reduction, weapon sound suppression, as well as fire control integration technology.
Wayne Prender, senior vice president, applied technology and advanced programs at Textron Systems, said: ‘Moving from contract award to delivery of a revolutionary, next-generation weapon in just 15 months not only demonstrates the maturity of our CT technology, but also the project execution excellence our team possesses to rapidly fill critical warfighter needs on schedule.’
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