National Guard unit tests NextGen squad weapons > National Guard > View article

FORT LIBERTY, N.C. – Soldiers assigned to the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team completed the Integrated Training Weapons Strategy Qualification Table using the new Next Generation Squad Weapon Rifle, XM7, and automatic rifle d next generation Squad weapon, XM250, on June 6.

The 30th ABCT is a major subordinate command of the North Carolina National Guard and was selected to be the first National Guard unit to field test the XM7 and XM250, which replace the M4/M4A1 carbine and weapon automatic M249 Squad.

“It’s awesome,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Grayson, an infantryman assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 252nd Armored Regiment. “We are the second unit in the Army to deploy these weapon systems.”

In 2020, Army senior leaders approved the regionally aligned Readiness and Modernization Model to enable integration and synchronization of force employment and force modernization without sacrificing readiness in the the entire Total Army. Fielding the equipment allows soldiers to train on new equipment and integrate different levels of experience to improve combat rigor and understanding of training.

“At this point, it’s really about integrating the team,” Grayson said. “If you have someone at every rank training, then you have all the aspects of a rifle company or a mechanized company and someone at every rank who knows what's going on. I think for us it works pretty well.

The XM7 is a modular, piston-operated, select-fire, magazine-fed 6.8mm rifle. The XM250 is a lightweight, belt-fed machine gun with a collapsible stock. Both weapons come with a quick-detach suppressor optimized for reduced sound, visible flash signature, and close-quarters combat strength.

“At my level, it's a big step forward to have this ability to penetrate Tier 4 plates and defeat the armor of some of our adversaries when necessary,” Grayson said. “It’s definitely a necessity for the future.”

“Weapons advancements such as NGSW ensure that units under our command have the best weapons possible,” said Col. Paul Hollenack, 30th ABCT commander. “Bringing the XM7 and XM250 into service is a step towards ensuring that’s exactly what we do.”