Just the type of weapon the infantry is armed with causes endless arguments among the soldiers and the experts in the defense field. Not simply swapping out the rifles, but the whole perspective gets changed; that is how the Army transitioned to the new XM7 after long years with the M16/M4 series. With this change, it is no longer about the kind of weapon, but it signals moving away from the concept of close combat, lethality, and the harshness of the modern battlefield.
It was the M16’s debut that transformed everything in the Vietnam era. M16 was more user-friendly; it was lighter than M14, capable of automatic fire was also chambered for 5.56mm—perfect for quick fights in dense jungle, and it could be easily carried by one soldier. The M16 then developed into the M4 carbine—a more compact and multifunctional firearm, which made the soldier’s toughest companion from the Balkan situation through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the conflict in Afghanistan has had a huge impact on the M16 family of weapons that the 5.56mm round often lacked the range and destructiveness needed to kill enemies at distance or those equipped with advanced body armor.
This insufficiency was the main reason for the program of the Next Generation Squad Weapon and thus the birth of the XM7. The cartridge of the XM7 is produced by SIG Sauer, and it is changed to a more potent 6.8×51mm. The new bullet offers more distance and better penetration of armor, and the goal is to provide the edge in the next fights. XM157 Fire Control optic, a state-of-the-art scope with an onboard ballistic calculator and a laser rangefinder for easier aiming with less delay and higher accuracy, is the one that goes along with it.
Nevertheless, moving forward comes at a price. Because 6.8 is larger and heavier, XM7 magazines are only capable of 20 rounds instead of the 30 rounds of the M4. Some deem that a significant drawback. The troops that Capt. Braden Trent mentioned that in their training, they often spent their limited magazines in very short training sessions, and then they took them off to get more, which means they ran out of ammo very fast. Opponents of the technology claim that reduced capacity can lead to suppression in the heat of battle, making it difficult as a result of running out of ammo quickly by the squad.
The argument is contradicted by the supporters of the XM7. They feel that the rifle has so much firepower that it will take less ammo to eliminate one enemy, thus there will be a shift in the very nature of small-unit tactics. Brig. Gen. Phil Kinniery of the Army Infantry School comments that the forcefulness of the new cartridge may change the scenario of the Infantry’s close fight in the Army’s favor, despite the number of rounds per soldier being decreased.
The reasoning, at its core, the contention is over more than just the figures. In English, the talk is about the principles of infantry itself. The proponents of the precision point of view maintain that weapons of high capacity only encourage the usage of wasteful ammo rates, while the skeptics of precision foresee that the constant reloading with the XM7 will leave dangerous firing gaps. Even official doctrine admits that there is no one particular answer, and it is commanders who are responsible for deciding on mission-based loadouts.
Weight is another huge issue. The XM7 with suppressor and full magazines is noticeably heavier than the M4. For soldiers who are already loaded with gear, radios, armor, and drones, the extra weight can slow the soldier down and limit how long they can travel at a rapid pace—two very important things when survival largely depends on being mobile.
The Army is planning the use of light polymer-case ammo to reduce the burden, but those rounds are not yet fully developed, and questions remain as to whether they can withstand the harsh conditions of war.
Besides the rifle, the XM7 is symbolic of a larger trend in war—the marrying of technology with the infantryman. Smart optics, intelligent fire control systems, and hybrid ammo are all aimed at radically extending what one soldier alone can do. Still, leaders like Command Sgt. Maj. T.J. Holland keep reminding everyone that technology must always be a tool, not a crutch. History has it that the role of leadership, training, and adaptability, among other things, is way more important than gadgets when the fight gets close.
The coming of the XM7 is definitely a new chapter in the history of American infantry. Time will tell whether it turns out to be the revolutionary leap that its proponents foresee or whether it will undergo changes due to combat experience.
What is for sure is that the issues this step forward throws up around firepower, mobility, and technology will strongly influence how the Army trains its soldiers for the wars of tomorrow.