“The US Army Contracting Command – New Jersey (ACC-NJ), on behalf of Project Manager Soldier Lethality (PM SL), located at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, is conducting a market survey for direct view optics and aiming lasers for use on shoulder fired weapon systems (i.e. rifles, carbines and automatic rifles) within the Close Combat Force.”

That’s how the recent US Army RFI to industry for commercial off the shelf weapon enablers starts out. I’m going to dissect it a little bit. It’s for “rifles, carbines and automatic rifles within the Close Combat Force.” Considering the Army is currently replacing the M4 Carbines and M249 Squad Automatic Weapons with the M7 Rifle, XM8 Carbine (basis of issue still undetermined), and M250 Automatic Rifle, this is obviously for the Next Generation Squad Weapon System.

Photo by Mr. Thomas Mort, Audio Visual Specialist

They want to hear from companies manufacturing direct view optics, aiming lasers, and scope rings/mounting hardware for optics that are at a technology readiness level 9, currently in production, and may be commercially available.

Here are the specifics:

Direct view optics and mounting hardware must be mountable on a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail. Direct view optics may include but are not limited to red dot sights with flip-in magnifiers, low-power variable optics, discrete variable magnified optics, or fixed magnified direct view optics with magnification contained in the range of 1x to 10x. The direct view optics should aid Rifleman and Automatic Rifleman to effectively engage targets at distances up to 600m. Optics must survive weapon pyro-shock, be rugged for Soldier use and conform to MIL-STD-810 Environmental conditions for Small Arm Weapons.  Optics should allow for the use of protective eyewear and provide an interface for attaching laser protection filters and anti-reflective devices.

Aiming lasers must be mountable on MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail or using Modular Lock (M-LOK) and provide a visual aiming laser, infrared aiming laser, and an illuminator flood light that aids Rifleman and Automatic Rifleman to effectively engage targets at distances up to 600m. The IR pointer and illuminator must be compatible with I2 night vision devices and offer eye safe settings for general use and high-power settings (no greater than 3B) for long range use. Aiming lasers may have laser range finder and/or remotes but not required. Aiming lasers must survive weapon pyro-shock, be rugged for Soldier use, and conform to MIL-STD-810 Environmental conditions for Small Arm Weapons.

XM157 Next Generation Squad Weapon Fire Control

NGSW was procured to be fielded along with the XM157 Next Generation Squad Weapon Fire Control, manufactured by Vortex Optics. This sustem was actually selected before the weapons it was intended to be attached to and offers an integrated laser ranger finder as well as ballistic software to present a disturbed reticle for the shooter to increase first round hits. Additionally, it is a 1-8x magnified optic and includes visible and IR aiming lasers.

Early NGSW fieldings included the XM157. However, more recently we’ve seen M7 Rifles being used with various optics to include LVPOs and Red Dots.

Take for example this Army Marksmanship Unit photo by SFC Timothy Hamlin. It depicts a Soldier with M7 outfitted with a B.E. Meyers MAWL X-1 aiming laser and a Vortex Optics “Eleanor” AMG 1-10x optic.

Although the Army has not commented on the disparity in Fire Control systems to NGSW weapons it may well come down to how quickly they are manufactured. Weapon manufacturer SIG SAUER is ahead of schedule, allowing the Army to speed up fielding of the M250 to select Infantry Brigades. Considering the complexity of electro-optics in the XM157, Vortex may be proceeding more slowly.

To be sure, there have been critiques of the NGSW program, generally from those who have not yet had any experience with the guns. The M7 is indeed heavier than the M4 it replaces, especially when equipped with the XM157. In fact, it is said to be three pounds heavier than an M4A1 with Close Combat Optic when equipped with the XM157 NGSW Fire Control System and suppressor. But in that scenario the M4 doesn’t have a suppressor or lasers (aiming and range finding).

On the other hand, the M250 is lighter than the SAW, 2.7 pounds to be exact. Regardless, the 6.8x51mm composite case round has a longer range and a larger projectile which travels at a higher velocity than the 5.56mm NATO round. This makes it difficult to offer a direct comparison between legacy and NGSW.

One of the answers to this feedback from the field is to develop the Product Improvement Effort versions of the M7 and M250 which has succeeded in lowering the weight. This project also resulted in the XM8 carbine variant.

Granted, the XM157 offers the Soldier capabilities on an individual weapon that few others enjoy, but it comes at a price. Aside from the weight of the XM157 still others are concerned about the cost and complexity. While a per unit cost has not been disclosed, the Army was talking at one time at under $10,000 per unit. Since all of the fire control unit’s capabilities are integrated into a single chassis, the only feasible way to upgrade the system is via software. This single component architecture also means that if one of the features malfunctions the entire system has to be taken out of service for maintenance.

Does this move to procure COTS solutions mean the demise of the XM157? There’s been no direct evidence of that. However, it does signify that the Army is using acquisition authorities to quickly close lethality capability gaps through use of readily available technologies.

While NGSW is definitely the US Army’s major small arms focus, there are a lot of legacy M4s and M249s out there and these COTS solutions can be proliferated across the force if they prove valuable.

Any company who wants to get in on this has until April 3rd, 2026. Visit Sam.gov for details.