Goodbye M7, Hello XM8
We’ve been following the US Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons program here at TFB from the very beginning and we recently reported that the US Army had received the first batch of the new and improved version of the NGSW-Rifle - the XM8. The XM8 Carbine is a shorter and lighter variant of the M7 rifle and it looks set to supplant the longer weapon.
The Pentagon's FY2027 budget request booklet outlines continued investment in the Generation Squad Weapons program but previously planned procurement of more M7s will now be replaced by the XM8. The US Army hasn't procured any M7 rifles in Federal FY2026 (which began on 1 October 2025).
The Department of War’s budget program acquisition cost by weapon system booklet explains: “The Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program is procuring and fielding the M7 rifle, XM8 carbine, M250 automatic rifle, and an advanced fire control system with 6.8mm Family of Ammunition (General Purpose, Special Purpose, Reduced Range, Tracers, Marking, Blank, and Drill Dummy Inert).” Explaining that the whole point of the program is to “field 6.8mm rifle, carbine, and automatic rifle systems capable of defeating emerging protected and unprotected threats. The NGSW aims to improve engagement time, maximum effective range, accuracy, and target effects.” The new addition of the XM8 means that funds for the NGSW program will now see just short of 15,000 XM8s procured instead of M7.
In FY2027 the US Army plans to procure: 14,944 XM8s, 2,795 M250s (NGSW-AR), and 20,402 M157 advanced fire control systems. It is understood that future production for NGSW-R will be switched over to the XM8.
The Army states that the XM8 is approximately 3.5 inches shorter and over a pound lighter than the M7. The XM8 features a slimmer barrel, a shorter suppressor and new 25-round magazine. The XM8 also has improved hanguard rigidity and a fixed, rather than folding stock. Below are the specs for the two weapons:
| Spec | XM8 | M7 |
| Overall length | 32+ in. | 37 in. |
| Barrel length | 10.4 in. | 13 in. |
| Suppressor length | 6 in. | 7 in. |
| Weight (no suppressor) | 7.33 lbs | 8.36 lbs |
| Suppressor weight | 1.31 lbs | 1.46 lbs |
| Magazine capacity | 25 rounds | 20 rounds |
| Stock | Fixed | Folding |
SIG Sauer have asserted that the Velocity loss between the 13-inch (M7) and 10.4-inch (XM8) barrels is minimal, around 100-200 fps with the XM8 maintaining muzzle velocities of around 2,900 fps. While this represents a decrease in velocity it apparently remains in excess of the US Army’s ballistic and armor penetration requirements.
Parts of the XM8 production line were featured in a recent video posted by SIG Sauer, some of the shots feature weapons which are already marked "M8 Carbine Cal 6.8mm" which suggests US Army type classification is expected soon.
What the role of the M7s already in service will be in the future is unclear, perhaps they’ll be shifted to Army National Guard units or move to a DMR role, perhaps XM8 uppers will be ordered for the in-service M7s to create a hybrid carbine or perhaps the M7s will continue to be integrated into the infantry squad alongside the new carbine.
Managing Editor: TheFirearmBlog.com & Overt Defense.com. Matt is a British historian specialising in small arms development and military history. He has written several books and for a variety of publications in both the US and UK. Matt is also runs The Armourer's Bench, a video series on historically significant small arms. Here on TFB he covers product and current military small arms news. Reach Matt at: matt@thefirearmblog.com
More by Matthew Moss
Comments
Join the conversation
What is the bullet weight of the 6.8mm standard round that the Army is planning on using?
What are they expecting for maximum effective range out of that short barrel?
THE SAME F-ING 6.8x51! Now with a shorter barrel so it burns out faster. They literally did the one thing that could make the M7 monstrosity even worse! Are the people at the Ord Dept. on the CCP payroll???
Just to note: The M7s used in training exercises that had their accuracy degraded to 6 MOA in the 1000-1200 round range were NOT using the hot "combat" bi-metal load. It was the reduced power round that can still use an all brass case. Madness!
Even with a 25 rd magazine it is still at a 5 rd deficit to the primary weapon of the enemy. Are they going to go to an aimed fire program and re-train the entire US Military?