The Army’s newest rifle and most advanced optic—hailed as the most sophisticated weapons system ever fielded to soldiers—hasn’t received positive feedback after testing in the hands of troops.
The Sig Sauer XM7, the Army’s replacement for the M4, represents the most significant overhaul of the standard-issue rifle in more than 55 years, since the adoption of the 5.56×45mm M16 in 1967.
Unlike its predecessors, the XM7 moves away from the standard 30-round, 5.56×45mm NATO magazine, instead utilizing a larger 6.8x51mm round with a smaller 20-round magazine.
This shift aims to increase lethality but also raises concerns about reduced ammunition capacity per soldier.
To complement the new rifle, the Army awarded Vortex Optics subsidiary Sheltered Wings a $2.7 billion contract to develop the XM157 Fire Control, a cutting-edge smart optic system set to be fielded over the next decade.
Vortex’s design was selected over L3 Harris, another defense contractor that had provided a competing prototype.
However, a recently released report suggests the XM157 optics are facing serious reliability issues.
“The NGSW-FC system is a ruggedized fire control that increases accuracy and lethality for the Close Combat Force. It integrates a number of advanced technologies, including a variable magnification optic, backup etched reticle, laser rangefinder, ballistic calculator, atmospheric sensor suite, compass, Intra-Soldier Wireless, visible and infrared aiming lasers, and a digital display overlay,” said a statement from the Army’s Cross Functional Team-Soldier Lethality.
Despite being designed to make hitting targets almost effortless, the XM7 with the XM157 optic demonstrated a low probability of completing a 72-hour wartime mission without experiencing a critical failure, the report found.
The only XM157 optic video released by the Army so far—which appears at the top of this article—features a sergeant from the 101st Airborne Division praising the advanced optic in March 2024.
Interestingly, the most low-tech innovation—the 6.8x51mm round—proved to be the most effective improvement, with the report confirming it delivered “increased lethality” over the 5.56mm used in the M4 and M249 SAW.
The Army has already spent approximately $584.64 million to acquire 50,161 XM157 optics through fiscal year 2025, according to Military.com. Over the coming years, it plans to procure a total of 124,749 XM157 units.
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