SIG SAUER: New machine gun for the U.S. ARMY

SIG SAUER presented their new lightweight machine gun at AUSA 2018 - the SIG Light Weight Machine Gun. The weapon weighs around nine kilograms and was designed for USSOCOM, the U.S. Special Operations Command. Although the MG was originally developed for the .338 Norma Magnum caliber (8.6 x 64 mm), SIG SAUER also offers a version for the current 7.62mm NATO caliber.

The advantage of the special .338 caliber: The weapon's range is extended to 2,000 meters. It also aims to address the question of whether the current calibers being used - 7.62 and especially 5.56 mm - are sufficient for military users. The US Army intends to - see Army Times report - switch to 6.8mm for the replacement of SAW and M4. The SIG Light Weight Machine Gun will also be available in 6.8 mm.

At the rear, the weapon is conventionally modular. The folding shoulder stock is of the familiar AR type. The grip is also replaceable, similar to an AR15. This allows each unit to customize the weapon to their needs. In the image, a magnifier from SIG SAUER is also visible.

Sometimes, it's not all about the length, sometimes the shortness is the spice. The SIG Light Weight Machine Gun comes in various barrel lengths.

The ammunition is fed through a classic belt system; the feeding can be done from both sides.

The SIG Light Weight Machine Gun was developed for the U.S. Army's "Next Generation Squad Automatic Rifle" project. As part of this initiative, the Army is seeking a successor to the light MG M249. SIG SAUER is taking a comprehensive approach to this, aiming to supply all components of the weapon system - optics, the weapon itself, and the ammunition. And of course, the training through SIG SAUER Academy.

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