The XM7

Hi, I’m Chris. Welcome back to the Educational Video series, where we have come full circle with rifles. Today we’re taking a closer look at the XM7 or the commercial Sig Spear, a rifle intentionally designed to provide US soldiers with the most modern firepower available.  

In 2017, the US Army acknowledged that technological advances in warfare were pushing current firearms to the limits. To address this, the US Army began an ambitious program aimed at rethinking the entire firepower system, from rifles and machine guns to ammunition, in a program called the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW).  

Initially, the NGSW was tasked with replacing the M4, M4A1 carbine and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon.  The goal was to create a new set of firearms chambered for the new 6.8mm cartridge.  

In 2022, after extensive testing and soldier feedback, the contract for the new rifle was awarded to Sig Sauer and work began on the production of what would be known as the XM7. It was developed over a 27-month testing period involving over 1.5 million rounds of ammunition. The design underwent multiple revisions based on feedback from soldiers to refine ergonomics and reliability when applied in real-world conditions. 

The result was the XM7, a modular, gas operated, magazine fed rifle, chambered for the new 6.8mm ammunition, which provides superior penetration against all targets including fortified barriers. The 13-inch barrel is operated by a short stroke gas piston and rotating bolt and can be used in semi-automatic or fully automatic fire modes. The upgraded short-stroke gas piston system provides better reliability than the direct impingement of the M4 in dirty or harsh environments, crucial for modern combat situations.  

Intended to be used with a suppressor, the rifle comes in at an impressive 9.84 lbs and gives our servicemembers a leg up in close quarter combat. The commercially available unit, the Sig Spear is very similar, but does not allow for fully automatic firing.   

Beginning in 2023 and 2024, the new firearms were distributed to select units including the 101st Airborne to confirm its performance. Initial feedback sited the improvement in fouling reduction and reliability, especially under heavy sustained fire. The suppressor, now a standard component on the MX7, reduced sound, flash and gas backflow for the operator improving stealth. The ambidextrous operating system was also well received.  

However, soldiers have complained about the weight of the MX7.  The addition of the suppressor, the enhanced optics, plus the new ammunition increased the overall weight of the MX7. This is part of the reason that the magazine was limited to 20 rounds. As of this filming, the Army has noted that they are working with manufacturers to lighten the overall platform. A lighter mobile variant, known as the XM8 is being tested.   

Despite the weight of the rifle and all its components, soldiers have rave reviews for the XM7. The extended range, advanced optics and increased firepower have performed well in the many combat situations where it’s been deployed, providing superior firepower especially against vehicular threats.  

The XM7 is a leap into modernity, providing the men and women of the US Army with top of the line tools to keep them and us safe.