The Army’s long-awaited replacement for the M4A1 and M249 SAW is no longer a prototype or testbed concept. As of May 20th, 2025, Project Manager Soldier Lethality (PM SL) officially confirmed that both the M7 Rifle and M250 Automatic Rifle have received Type Classification – Standard (TC-STD), clearing the path for full-scale fielding across the force.
This milestone means the weapons are fully approved and meet all Army standards for operational performance, safety, and logistical sustainment. In short, they are now the real deal.
The Army awarded SIG SAUER a 10-year production contract back in April 2022 after a competitive selection process that involved technical trials and direct Soldier feedback. Since then, both weapons have undergone extensive testing and have already begun reaching units in the Close Combat Force (CCF).
The M7 is the Army’s version of the SIG MCX Spear, chambered in 6.8x51mm—a serious firepower upgrade over the M4’s 5.56mm round. With greater range and armor penetration, the 6.8mm round is expected to better match modern combat environments, especially urban and peer-conflict scenarios. However, it comes with a trade-off: fewer rounds per standard loadout. Soldiers will carry about 70 fewer rounds compared to what they carried with the M4.
The M250 replaces the M249 SAW and is based on the SIG LMG 6.8 design. It’s lighter, more accurate, and also uses the new 6.8mm round, which gives squad-level automatic fire support a deadlier edge than its 5.56mm predecessor ever could.
“This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering cutting-edge capabilities that give our Soldiers the tactical advantage and lethality required on the battlefield,” said Col. Jason Bohannon, Project Manager Soldier Lethality. “We remain focused on equipping our force with the most reliable and effective tools to ensure mission success.”
This announcement confirms what The Salty Soldier reported back in October 2024: that the Army was already ramping up production and pushing both weapons out the door as fast as supply lines allowed. According to Bohannon, the Army is “fielding as the material is coming off the line, directly to the units.”
That includes optics and the all-new 6.8mm ammunition, which the Army is stockpiling not just for combat, but also for training and war reserve stocks.
Stay salty, grunts. Your new boomsticks are finally official.
© 2025 The Salty Soldier. All rights reserved.
The content of this article may not be reproduced or distributed without the express written permission of TheSaltySoldier.com.
