SIG SAUER’s M7 and M250 Designated as U.S. Army’s Standard-Issue Weapons, Marking Major Milestone for New Hampshire-Based Manufacturer

NEWINGTON, N.H. — In a major milestone for both New Hampshire’s defense industry and the U.S. Army’s modernization efforts, the Army has officially designated the SIG SAUER M7 Rifle and M250 Automatic Rifle as Type Classification - Standard (TC-STD). This designation confirms that the M7 and M250—set to replace the Army’s M4A1 Carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW)—meet the military’s stringent requirements for performance, safety, and reliability, and are cleared for widespread fielding across the Close Combat Force.

The announcement, made by Project Manager Soldier Lethality (PM SL) at Picatinny Arsenal, follows a rigorous development and testing process that included technical evaluations and soldier feedback. The M7 and M250 are central to the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, which began in 2017 with the goal of delivering cutting-edge combat capabilities to soldiers on the battlefield.

Following a full and open competition, SIG SAUER, headquartered in Newington, N.H., was awarded a 10-year production contract in April 2022 to manufacture the M7 and M250. The Type Classification designation now moves these systems from prototype to standard-issue status, ensuring streamlined procurement, training, and maintenance across the Army.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering cutting-edge capabilities that give our Soldiers the tactical advantage and lethality required on the battlefield,” said Col. Jason Bohannon, Project Manager Soldier Lethality. “We remain focused on equipping our force with the most reliable and effective tools to ensure mission success.”

Steve Rose, Executive Vice President of SIG SAUER’s Defense Strategies Group, said, “This approval underscores the U.S. Army’s commitment to equipping our soldiers with next generation lethality to maintain tactical superiority and enhance mission success. The M7 and M250 represent a transformative leap in combat capability.”

The M7 and M250 provide increased range, accuracy, and lethality compared to the legacy systems they replace, giving U.S. soldiers a critical overmatch advantage in modern combat scenarios. The Army’s adoption of these systems marks a new chapter for SIG SAUER, a longstanding New Hampshire manufacturer with a deep history of supporting U.S. military readiness.