{"id":16264,"date":"2022-01-07T21:30:36","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T21:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2022\/01\/07\/army-finally-picks-an-optic-for-next-generation-squad-weapon\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:42:45","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:42:45","slug":"army-finally-picks-an-optic-for-next-generation-squad-weapon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/industry\/techwatch\/2022\/01\/07\/army-finally-picks-an-optic-for-next-generation-squad-weapon\/","title":{"rendered":"Army finally picks an optic for Next Generation Squad Weapon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

*Correction: This article has been updated to accurately reflect the financial contract awardm amount of $2.7 billion.<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Army hasn\u2019t yet decided which of two competitors will build the Army and Marine Corps replacement <\/a>for the M4, M16 and M249<\/a> yet, but on Friday, they announced who\u2019ll be making the advanced optic to go on top of the Next Generation Squad Weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vortex Optics subsidiary Sheltered Wings has been selected to build as many as 250,000 Next Generation Squad Weapon<\/a> \u2013 Fire Control systems at a starting price of about $2.7 billion over the next decade. The partnership beat out L3 Harris, the other company selected to provide a prototype for testing and evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe NGSW-FC system is a ruggedized fire control that increases accuracy and lethality for the Close Combat Force. It integrates a number of advanced technologies, including a variable magnification optic, backup etched reticle, laser rangefinder, ballistic calculator, atmospheric sensor suite, compass, Intra-Soldier Wireless, visible and infrared aiming lasers, and a digital display overlay,\u201d according to a release from the Army\u2019s Cross Functional Team-Soldier Lethality.<\/p>\n\n\n