M250 light machine gun

{{Short description|NGSW light machine gun}} {{Infobox weapon | name = M250 | image = M250 Automatic Rifle.png | image_size = 300 | caption = M250 with an M157 fire-control system | origin = United States | is_ranged = Yes | design_date = 2019 | type = Light machine gun<ref name="xm250 army may 2022">{{Cite web |last=Reinsch |first=Michael |date=13 May 2022 |title=NGSW signifies an evolution in Soldier lethality |url=https://www.army.mil/article/256697/ngsw_signifies_an_evolution_in_soldier_lethality |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716030659/https://www.army.mil/article/256697/ngsw_signifies_an_evolution_in_soldier_lethality |archive-date=16 July 2022 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=U.S. Army}}</ref> | manufacturer = SIG Sauer | caliber = 6.8×51mm Common Cartridge (.277 Fury) | service = 2022–present | used_by = See ''Users'' | wars = | action = Gas-operated short-stroke piston system with a proprietary recoil mitigation system, open bolt | weight = {{cvt|13|lb|kg}} (with bipod)<br />{{cvt|14.5|lb|kg}} (with suppressor and bipod)<br />{{cvt|6.77|lb|kg}} (100-round pouch)<ref name="military2may22">{{Cite web |last=Beynon |first=Steve |date=2 May 2022 |title=How Well Do the Army's New Guns Perform? That's Classified, But Soldiers Will Carry More Weight, Less Ammo |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/05/02/how-well-do-armys-new-guns-perform-thats-classified-soldiers-will-carry-more-weight-less-ammo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530230702/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/05/02/how-well-do-armys-new-guns-perform-thats-classified-soldiers-will-carry-more-weight-less-ammo.html |archive-date=30 May 2022 |website=Military.com}}</ref> | length = {{cvt|41.87|in|mm|0}} (with suppressor)<ref name="modernfirearms">{{Cite web |last=Popenker |first=Maxim |title=SIG Sauer NGSW-R MCX Spear XM5 assault rifle (USA) |url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/u-s-a-machineguns/sig-sauer-ngsw-ar-xm250-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522002944/https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/u-s-a-machineguns/sig-sauer-ngsw-ar-xm250-2/ |archive-date=22 May 2022 |website=Modern Firearms |date=20 April 2022 }}</ref> | part_length = {{cvt|17.5|in|mm|0}}<ref name="tfb16may22">{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Matthew |date=16 May 2022 |title=US Army Shares Details on Next Generation Squad Weapons |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/05/16/us-army-shares-details-next-generation-squad-weapons/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518021918/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2022/05/16/us-army-shares-details-next-generation-squad-weapons/ |archive-date=18 May 2022 |website=The Firearm Blog}}</ref> | rate = ~800 rounds/min | feed = 30-, 50-, 100-, or 200-rounds semi-rigid pouches }}

The '''M250''' light machine gun is the U.S. Army's designation for the '''SIG LMG 6.8''', chambered in 6.8×51mm Common Cartridge (.277 Fury), gas-operated, belt-fed light machine gun that features a proprietary recoil mitigation system, designed by SIG Sauer for the U.S. Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon Program in 2022 to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon.<ref name="armybudget">{{Cite web|title=Justification Book - Procurement of Weapons and Tracked Combat Vehicles|url=https://www.asafm.army.mil/Portals/72/Documents/BudgetMaterial/2026/Discretionary%20Budget/Procurement/Procurement%20of%20Weapons%20and%20Tracked%20Combat%20Vehicles.pdf|website=www.asafm.army.mil|access-date=2025-11-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251003020440/https://www.asafm.army.mil/Portals/72/Documents/BudgetMaterial/2026/Discretionary%20Budget/Procurement/Procurement%20of%20Weapons%20and%20Tracked%20Combat%20Vehicles.pdf|archive-date=2025-10-03|url-status=live}}</ref>

The M250 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.<ref name="armytimes29march242">{{Cite web |last=Lehrfeld |first=Jonathan |date=2024-03-29 |title=101st Airborne first Army unit to field Next Generation Squad Weapons |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2024/03/29/101st-airborne-first-army-unit-to-field-next-generation-squad-weapons/ |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Army Times |language=en}}</ref>

==History== 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 prototypes of the M7 rifle and M250 light machine gun.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Matthew |date=19 April 2022 |title=SIG Sauer Wins US Army Next Generation Squad Weapon Contract |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/04/19/sig-sauer-wins-us-army-next-generation-squad-weapon-contract/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420020741/https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/04/19/sig-sauer-wins-us-army-next-generation-squad-weapon-contract/ |archive-date=20 April 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=Overt Defense |language=en-CA}}</ref> The design of the XM250 was derived from the SIG Sauer MMG 338 which SIG was also developing for the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM).<ref>{{cite web |date=20 January 2019 |title=SIG Range Day 19 – SL MAG, SIG's New 338 Machine Gun |url=https://soldiersystems.net/2019/01/20/sig-range-day-19-sl-mag/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125191025/https://soldiersystems.net/2019/01/20/sig-range-day-19-sl-mag/ |archive-date=25 January 2019 |access-date=4 June 2022 |website=Soldier Systems Daily}}</ref> The M250 light machine gun and M7 rifle were designed for the 6.8×51mm Common 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).<ref name="AF_Times">{{Cite web |last=South |first=Todd |date=19 April 2022 |title=Army chooses SIG Sauer to build its Next Generation Squad Weapon |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/04/19/army-chooses-sig-sauer-to-build-its-next-generation-squad-weapon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230518053458/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/04/19/army-chooses-sig-sauer-to-build-its-next-generation-squad-weapon/ |archive-date=18 May 2023 |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=Army Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schogol |first=Jeff |date=19 April 2022 |title=Army selects SIG Sauer to produce Next Generation Squad Weapon and ammo |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/army-selects-sig-sauer-next-generation-squad-weapon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531011525/https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/army-selects-sig-sauer-next-generation-squad-weapon/ |archive-date=31 May 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=Task & Purpose |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mizokami |first=Kyle |date=21 April 2022 |title=The Army's Next-Gen Infantry Weapons Will Be More Lethal and More Accurate |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a39774920/army-next-gen-infantry-weapons/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531010329/https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a39774920/army-next-gen-infantry-weapons/ |archive-date=31 May 2022 |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Popular Mechanics |language=en-US}}</ref>

thumb|XM250 with an M157 fire-control system On 19 April 2022, the United States Army awarded a 10-year contract to SIG Sauer to produce the XM250 light machine gun, along with the XM7 rifle, to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and M4 carbine, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beynon |first=Steve |date=19 April 2022 |title=Army Picks Its Replacement for the M4 and SAW |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/04/19/army-picks-its-replacement-m4-and-saw.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520175414/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/04/19/army-picks-its-replacement-m4-and-saw.html |archive-date=20 May 2022 |access-date=20 April 2022 |website=Military.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 April 2022 |title=Army awards Next Generation Squad Weapon contract |url=https://www.army.mil/article/255827/army_awards_next_generation_squad_weapon_contract |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531042016/https://www.army.mil/article/255827/army_awards_next_generation_squad_weapon_contract |archive-date=31 May 2022 |website=U.S. Army}}</ref> The names were chosen as the next numbers sequentially to the weapons they will replace (the rifle was originally designated as 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 XM7s and 13,000 XM250s for close combat forces. The contract has the capacity to build additional XM7s and XM250s should the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command choose to be included.<ref name="armytimes20april22">{{Cite web |last=South |first=Todd |date=20 April 2022 |title=Army expects Next Generation Squad Weapon to get to its first unit by next year |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/04/20/army-expects-next-generation-squad-weapon-to-get-to-its-first-unit-by-next-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230518053606/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/04/20/army-expects-next-generation-squad-weapon-to-get-to-its-first-unit-by-next-year/ |archive-date=18 May 2023 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website=Army Times |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2023, the XM250 was delivered to soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment for user tests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=South |first=Todd |date=20 December 2023 |title=Army to field new rifle, machine gun and optic in 2024 |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/12/20/army-to-field-new-rifle-machine-gun-and-optic-in-2024/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240109003844/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/12/20/army-to-field-new-rifle-machine-gun-and-optic-in-2024/ |archive-date=9 January 2024 |website=Army Times}}</ref> 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division officially began fielding it in March 2024.<ref name="armytimes29march243">{{Cite web |last=Lehrfeld |first=Jonathan |date=29 March 2024 |title=101st Airborne first Army unit to field Next Generation Squad Weapons |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2024/03/29/101st-airborne-first-army-unit-to-field-next-generation-squad-weapons/ |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=Army Times |language=en}}</ref>

In May 2025, the XM250 was type classified as the M250 light machine gun.<ref>[https://www.army.mil/article/285678/project_manager_soldier_lethality_announces_type_classification_approval_for_next_generation_squad_weapons_ngsw Project Manager Soldier Lethality Announces Type Classification Approval for Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW)]. ''Army.mil''. 20 May 2025.</ref>

==Design details== thumb|U.S. infantryman firing an M250 during a combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX), 2026

The M250 light machine gun weighs {{cvt|13|lb}}, or {{cvt|14.5|lb}} with a suppressor. It has a basic combat load of 400 rounds in four 100-round pouches weighing {{cvt|27.1|lb}}. Compared to the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon weighing {{cvt|19.2|lb}} unsuppressed, with a basic combat load of 600 rounds in three 200-round pouches, weighing {{cvt|20.8|lb}}, the M250 light machine gun weighs about {{cvt|4|lb}} less and a gunner carries roughly a {{cvt|1|lb}} heavier load with 200 fewer rounds. The barrel on the M250 is not considered a quick-change barrel, and the stock is collapsible but non-folding.<ref name="armytimes20april22" /><ref name="military2may22" /><ref name="tfb16may22" />

The M250 primarily uses the M157 fire-control system, also known as the Vortex Optics NGSW-FC.<ref name="armybudget" /> The optical sight integrates a laser rangefinder (LRF), ballistic solver, environmental sensors, aiming lasers, digital compass, and wireless communication to provide seamless battlefield connectivity. Built around a 1-8×30 LPVO with a glass-etched reticle, it is lightweight and durable, capable of withstanding extreme conditions. The M157 features a digital display that provides corrected aimpoints, wind holds, and other critical targeting data, allowing for rapid target engagement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vortex Optics XM157 Selected by U.S. Army {{!}} Gun Talk Media |url=https://www.guntalk.com/post/vortex-xm157-selected-by-army |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=www.guntalk.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=Behind the scenes, critical process ensures weapons systems ready for Soldiers' use |url=https://www.army.mil/article/280167/behind_the_scenes_critical_process_ensures_weapons_systems_ready_for_soldiers_use |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=www.army.mil |language=en}}</ref>

==Variants== ===SIG SAUER LMG=== The SIG SAUER LMG is the general product name of the light machine gun family, available in 6.5mm Creedmoor (SIG LMG 6.5), 6.8×51mm Common Cartridge (SIG LMG 6.8) and 7.62×51mm NATO (SIG LMG 7.62).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Defense Machine Guns |url=https://www.sigsauer.com/defense-machine-guns |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=www.sigsauer.com}}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery> File:XM250 firing.jpg|U.S. infantryman from the 2nd Battalion of the 502nd Infantry Regiment firing an XM250, 2023 File:M250 light machine gun with 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment.jpg|U.S. infantryman firing an M250 with the M157 fire-control system, 2025 File:2026 Best Mortar Competition in M250 Shoot 02.jpg|U.S. infantryman with an M250 at the 2026 Best Mortar Competition </gallery>

==Users==  *{{flag|Israel}}: Israeli Defense Forces adopted the SIG LMG 7.62 variant in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TAB |date=2026-02-12 |title=SIG M250 |url=https://armourersbench.com/tag/sig-m250/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=The Armourers Bench |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=2025-01-03 |title=Israel Buys 7.62x51mm Version Of U.S. Army's New Sig Sauer M250 Light Machine Gun: Report |url=https://www.twz.com/land/israel-buys-7-62x51mm-version-of-u-s-armys-new-sig-sauer-m250-light-machine-gun-report |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}}</ref> *{{flag|United States}}: Used by the United States Army.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *[https://online.flippingbook.com/view/42310667/ SIG Sauer 2026 Defense Catalog]

Category:6.8mm firearms Category:Machine guns of the United States Category:SIG Sauer machine guns Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 2019 Category:Light machine guns Category:Squad automatic weapons