3 years, 50,000 rifles later: Why US Army is moving on from the M7
The US Army is transitioning to the new M8 carbine just three years after introducing the M7 rifle. The decision follows soldier feedback regarding the M7's excessive weight and length, which hindered mobility in combat scenarios.
Why it matters
This reflects the challenges of military procurement and the importance of field-testing new technology to ensure it meets the practical needs of infantry soldiers.
The US Army is moving on from the M7 rifle barely three years after beginning to field it, with soldier feedback over the weapon's weight, length and handling driving the development of a new M8 carbine. The Army is set to begin fielding the M8 in December, marking a rapid redesign of its Next Generation Squad Weapon system.According to Defense News, citing Sig Sauer executives, the M8 will initially be fielded with units at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The weapon, earlier designated the XM8, is a shorter and lighter variant of the M7 developed after soldier feedback and Army testing.The M7's weight has been one of the major concerns. The rifle weighs more than 8 pounds (3.6 kg) unloaded and nearly 10 pounds (4.5 kg) with its suppressor, significantly heavier than the Army's M4A1.
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