WEST POINT, N.Y. — Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy are enhancing battlefield adaptability with a new weapon mount that increases the versatility of the Army’s next-generation M250 automatic rifle. In support of the 2026 Projects Day Research Symposium focus on supporting the warfighter, cadets in the Small Caliber Weapon Mount capstone design team developed solutions for real-world applications.

Through collaboration between the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering alongside the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, cadets developed an innovative approach to employ the M250 Automatic Rifle on the M192 tripod. Their objective was to create a reliable, lightweight and durable device that enables tripod compatibility with the newly fielded M250 while maintaining compatibility with legacy M249 and M240 machine guns and requiring no permanent modifications to the existing equipment.

Through live-fire testing, the team collected strain and durability data on their prototype tripod adapters, evaluating performance under representative battlefield conditions. The team also designed and tested a belt deflector system to ensure consistent weapon function during sustained fire. Their solutions prioritize reliability, durability, and ease of use in combat environments.

By making the M192 tripod universally compatible with the M240, M249 and M250, this project enhances weapon versatility, reduces logistical burden and increases Soldier lethality at the squad level. Soldiers can seamlessly transition the M250 between bipod and tripod configurations, improving adaptability and effectiveness on the modern battlefield.

“This new design increases Soldier mobility with the M250 automatic rifle by enabling rapid transitions between mounted and dismounted configurations while maintaining the ability to attach an ammunition sack directly to the weapon,” said Cadet Noah Winters, class of 2026. “This capability enhances operational flexibility and provides the Soldier with a wider range of employment options across varying mission requirements.”

The Small Caliber Weapon Mount capstone design team is part of West Point’s 27th annual Projects Day Research Symposium, which showcases hundreds of cadet-led research projects.

Learn more about Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering select project features and how to partner with West Point at West Point Werx website.

By Jana Scardigno Marketing and Outreach Specialist, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.  –  

On December 10, 2025, the decision was made to advance the procurement of a carbine variant of the Army’s M7 Rifle, designated the XM8. While not a replacement for the M7, the carbine exemplifies the program’s commitment to rapidly incorporating Soldier feedback.

The Army continues to prioritize the modernization of its weapon systems to ensure Soldiers are equipped with the most effective tools for success in diverse operational environments. After considering Soldier feedback during these user evaluations, the Army is now introducing a shorter, more mobile carbine version of the M7 rifle. This reflects the Army’s commitment to enhancing Soldier mobility and adaptability while maintaining rigorous testing and evaluation standards.

Since the initial contract award, Capability Program Executive Ground, Capability Program Executive Ammunition and Energetics, Project Manager Soldier Lethality, Project Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems, the Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team, SIG Sauer, and the collective Army enterprise have worked tirelessly to develop and refine this new capability. The carbine variant has undergone extensive government testing, including a full developmental verification test and multiple Soldier engagements, to ensure it meets the Army’s rigorous standards for performance, reliability, effectiveness, and user acceptance.

SIG Sauer was awarded the Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) contract in April 2022. The M7 Rifle and M250 Automatic Rifle have been successfully tested, produced, and fielded to multiple units across the U.S. Army. The M7 is a gas-operated, magazine-fed rifle with both automatic and semi-automatic firing capabilities. It is equipped with the M157 NGSW-Fire Control (NGSW-FC) which is a magnified 1-8x direct view optic with display overlay, laser range finder, aiming lasers, ballistic solver, and equipped with Intra-Soldier Wireless (ISW) which allows for external wireless communications to Soldier mounted subsystems. The M7 Rifle is the replacement for the M4A1 Carbine in the Close Combat Force (CCF).

The carbine variant of the M7 rifle has undergone extensive government testing, including a full developmental verification test and a Soldier evaluation. During the September 2025 Soldier Touch Point, Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division, USASOC and other units provided direct feedback on the carbine, focusing on user acceptance, load carriage, and integration with advanced fire control systems. Compared to the rifle, the carbine variant is approximately 3.5 inches shorter and over 1 pound lighter, now the same weight as an M4A1. Despite its shorter and lighter design, the carbine still exceeds its lethality requirements due in part to the performance of the 6.8mm tactical ammunition.

In addition to the procurement of the Carbine, the NGSW program is planning several other product improvement efforts. These include lightweight ammunition and 25 round magazines to increase Soldier Unit Basic Loads (UBL), alternate optics to provide unit commanders options and flexibility, and enhancements to the thoroughly tested M157 Fire Control for increased capability and integration into existing Army network infrastructure. These enhancements include integration into future efforts like Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) and Nett Warrior devices. With these capabilities, Soldiers can create target reference points and request for fire support with greater precision.

Ongoing efforts also include a thermal imager to substitute the AN/PAS-35 Family of Weapons Sight-Individual (FWS-I) on the NGSW which would reduce the overall cost to the government and the weight carried by the Soldier. Because the M157 utilizes a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) with front and rear industry standard open-source enabler ports, the government can continue to upgrade enablers as technology improves, and mission requirements change. In addition to the M157 NGSW-FC, the Army is issuing the latest commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) optics and aiming lasers to six Mobile Brigade Combat Teams in FY26 for assessment and Soldier feedback.

As the carbine enters production, the Army remains focused on delivering a weapon system that meets the needs of its Soldiers to ensure they are equipped to win. This initiative represents a significant step forward in the Army’s ongoing mission to modernize its capabilities and maintain its position as a global leader in defense innovation.

CPE Ground Army