M250 light machine gun

In January 2019, the United States military began the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program to find replacements for the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. In September 2019, SIG Sauer submitted their designs.^[7] The M250's design is an offshoot of the SIG Sauer MMG 338 which SIG was also developing for the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM).^[8] The M250 light machine gun and M7 rifle were designed for the 6.8×51mm Common Cartridge in response to concerns that improvements in body armor would diminish the effectiveness of the 5.56×45mm NATO (used in the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon) and 7.62×51mm NATO (used in the M240 medium machine gun).^[9][10][11]

On 19 April 2022, the United States Army awarded a 10-year contract to SIG Sauer to produce the XM250 machine gun, along with the XM7 rifle, to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and M4 carbine, respectively.^[12][13] The names were chosen as the next numbers sequentially to the weapons they will replace (the rifle was originally designated the XM5, but was later changed to XM7). The first batch of twenty-five XM7s and fifteen XM250s were planned to be delivered in late 2023. In total, the Army plans to procure a total of 107,000 M7s and 13,000 M250s for close combat forces. The contract has the capacity to build additional weapons should the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command choose to be included.^[14]

The XM250 light machine gun was delivered to soldiers in the 101st Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment in September 2023 for user tests.^[15] 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division officially began fielding it in March 2024.^[16] In May 2025, the weapon was type classified as the M250.^[17]

The M250 light machine gun weighs 13 lb (5.9 kg), or 14.5 lb (6.6 kg) with a suppressor. It has a basic combat load of 400 rounds in four 100-round pouches weighing 27.1 lb (12.3 kg). Compared to the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon weighing 19.2 lb (8.7 kg) unsuppressed, with a basic combat load of 600 rounds in three 200-round pouches, weighing 20.8 lb (9.4 kg), the M250 light machine gun weighs about 4 lb (1.8 kg) less and a gunner carries roughly a 1 lb (0.45 kg) heavier load with 200 fewer rounds. The barrel on the M250 light machine gun is not considered to be a quick-change barrel and the stock is collapsible but non-folding.^[14][2][4]

The M250 primarily uses the M157 fire-control system, also known as the Vortex Optics NGSW-FC.^[5] The optical sight integrates a laser rangefinder (LRF), ballistic solver, environmental sensors, aiming lasers, digital compass, and wireless communication to provide seamless battlefield connectivity. Built around a 1-8×30 LPVO with a glass-etched reticle, it is lightweight and durable, capable of withstanding extreme conditions. The M157 features a digital display that provides corrected aimpoints, wind holds, and other critical targeting data, allowing for rapid target engagement.^[18][19]

• United States: Used by the United States Army.

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