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United States SIG Sauer
XM7
The U.S. Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon rifle, adopted to replace the M4A1 in close-combat units and chambered in a new high-pressure 6.8x51 mm hybrid-case cartridge for improved range and armor penetration. Based on the commercial SIG MCX Spear, it is fielded with the XM157 smart fire-control optic.
In service since 2023 · 1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-01
600
m range
600
rpm
945
m/s
20
rds
Pricing: Unit cost not fully disclosed under Army contract
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
US ITAR-controlled
Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.
Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale
Fielded & proven
Limited · 1 operator
In service since 2023. Status: active · ~100,000 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Effective range Distance at which the weapon reliably hits point targets. Higher extends engagement envelope. | 600 m |
|---|---|
| Rate of fire Rounds per minute (cyclic). Higher increases suppression and hit probability. | 600 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity Projectile speed leaving the barrel. Higher means flatter trajectory and better armor penetration. | 945 m/s |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 6.8×51 mm hybrid |
|---|---|
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 6.8 mm |
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 20 |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 0.94 m |
|---|---|
| Empty weight Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew. | 4 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 1 |
| Barrel length Barrel length, longer improves muzzle velocity and accuracy, shorter improves handling. | 356 mm |
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 100,000 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
Specifications compiled from public SIG Sauer and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-01.
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Tula Arms Plant AEK-971 Frequently asked questions
How many crew does the SIG Sauer XM7 require? +
The SIG Sauer XM7 requires a crew of 1.
What is the main armament of the SIG Sauer XM7? +
The SIG Sauer XM7's primary weapon is the 6.8×51 mm hybrid.
What is the SIG Sauer XM7 used for? +
The SIG Sauer XM7 is a rifle & long arms typically used for infantry combat.
How many countries operate the SIG Sauer XM7? +
The SIG Sauer XM7 is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the SIG Sauer XM7 cost? +
SIG Sauer XM7: Unit cost not fully disclosed under Army contract. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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