M250 light machine gun

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from XM250)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
M250
File:M250 Automatic Rifle.png
M250 with the M157 fire-control system[1]
TypeLight machine gun[2]
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2022–present
Used bySee Users
WarsGaza war
Production history
Designed2019
ManufacturerSIG Sauer
Specifications
Mass13 lb (5.9 kg) (with bipod)
14.5 lb (6.6 kg) (with suppressor and bipod)
6.77 lb (3.07 kg) (100-round pouch)[3]
Length41.87 in (1,063 mm) (with suppressor)[4]
Barrel length17.5 in (444 mm)[5]
Caliber.277 Fury (6.8×51mm Common)
ActionGas-operated
Rate of fire~800 rounds/min
Feed system30-, 50-, 100-, or 200-rounds semi-rigid pouches

The M250 is the U.S. military designation for the SIG LMG 6.8, a 6.8×51mm (.277 in), gas-operated, belt-fed light machine gun designed by SIG Sauer for the U.S. Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon Program in 2022 to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. The M250 light machine gun features a free-floating reinforced M-LOK handguard for direct accessory attachment onto the "negative space" (hollow slot) mounting points. The M250 began to be fielded in March 2024.[6]

History

[edit | edit source]
File:XM250 with XM157.jpg
M250 with the M157 fire-control system
File:XM250 firing.jpg
Infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, firing an M250

In January 2019, the United States military began the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program to find replacements for the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. In September 2019, SIG Sauer submitted their designs.[7] The M250's design is an offshoot of the MG 338 which SIG was also developing for SOCOM.[8] The M250 light machine gun and M7 rifle were designed to fire the 6.8×51mm SIG Fury cartridge in response to concerns that improvements in body armor would diminish the effectiveness of the 5.56×45mm NATO (used in the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon) and 7.62×51mm NATO (used in the M240 medium machine gun).[9][10][11]

On 19 April 2022, the United States Army awarded a 10-year contract to SIG Sauer to produce the XM250 machine gun, along with the XM7 rifle, to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and M4 carbine, respectively.[12][13] The names were chosen as the next numbers sequentially to the weapons they will replace (the rifle was originally designated the XM5, but was later changed to XM7). The first batch of twenty-five XM7s and fifteen XM250s were planned to be delivered in late 2023. In total, the Army plans to procure a total of 107,000 M7s and 13,000 M250s for close combat forces. The contract has the capacity to build additional weapons should the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command choose to be included.[14]

The XM250 light machine gun was delivered to soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment in September 2023 for user tests.[15] 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division officially began fielding it in March 2024.[16] In May 2025, the weapon was type classified as the M250.[17]

Design details

[edit | edit source]
File:M250 light machine gun with 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment.jpg
A soldier firing an M250 with the M157 fire-control system

The M250 light machine gun weighs 13 lb (5.9 kg), or 14.5 lb (6.6 kg) with a suppressor. It has a basic combat load of 400 rounds in four 100-round pouches weighing 27.1 lb (12.3 kg). Compared to the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon weighing 19.2 lb (8.7 kg) unsuppressed, with a basic combat load of 600 rounds in three 200-round pouches, weighing 20.8 lb (9.4 kg), the M250 light machine gun weighs about 4 lb (1.8 kg) less and a gunner carries roughly a 1 lb (0.45 kg) heavier load with 200 fewer rounds. The barrel on the M250 light machine gun is not considered to be a quick-change barrel and the stock is collapsible but non-folding.[14][3][5]

The primary sight for the M250 is the M157 fire-control system, also known as the Vortex Optics NGSW-FC.[18] The M157 integrates a laser rangefinder (LRF), ballistic solver, environmental sensors, aiming lasers, digital compass, and wireless communication to provide seamless battlefield connectivity. Built around a 1-8x30 LPVO with a glass-etched reticle, it is lightweight and durable, capable of withstanding extreme conditions. The optic features a digital display that provides corrected aimpoints, wind holds, and other critical targeting data, allowing for rapid target engagement.[19][20]

Users

[edit | edit source]

See also

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  8. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  10. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  15. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  17. ^ Project Manager Soldier Lethality Announces Type Classification Approval for Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW). Army.mil. 20 May 2025.
  18. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  19. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  20. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).[better source needed]
[edit | edit source]
  • Error creating thumbnail: File missing Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons
Retrieved from "http://70.231.62.181/index.php?title=M250_light_machine_gun&oldid=11266480"