XM7 rifle

The XM7 features a free-floating reinforced M-LOK handguard for direct accessory attachment to slotted hole mounting points.

[9] In January 2019, the United States Army began the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program to find replacements for the M4 carbine and M249 light machine gun.

[15] In January 2023, the Army announced it would change the name of the rifle from XM5 to XM7 to avoid a trademark conflict with Colt's M5 carbine.

The contract has the option to build additional weapons should the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Command choose to be included.

[17] Operational testing of the XM7 rifle, XM250 light machine gun, and XM157 Fire Control Optic was scheduled to begin in 2024 (at which point it would become the M7)[16] but widespread distribution was not assured.

U.S. Army Fort Campbell Garrison Commander Col. Christopher Midberry aims an XM7 Next-Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) during a weapon familiarization demonstration, 25 September 2023, at Fort Campbell, Ky.
Soldiers from Training and Doctrine Command with an XM7 rifle (near) and XM250 light machine gun (far).