{"id":120025,"date":"2019-10-15T15:19:30","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T15:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/10\/15\/these-are-general-dynamics-ngsw-contenders-and-its-a-bunch-of-bullpup\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T14:31:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T14:31:24","slug":"these-are-general-dynamics-ngsw-contenders-and-its-a-bunch-of-bullpup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/off-duty\/2019\/10\/15\/these-are-general-dynamics-ngsw-contenders-and-its-a-bunch-of-bullpup\/","title":{"rendered":"These are General Dynamics\u2019 NGSW contenders \u2014 and it\u2019s a bunch of bullpup!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems just unveiled its take on the Next Generation Squad Weapon<\/a> program, and it\u2019s a doozy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gear Scout got a look at the Automatic Rifle (replacing the M249 SAW) and Rifle (replacing the M4\/M4A1 carbine) prototypes at this year\u2019s Association of the US Army Annual Meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of the M16-style layout the Army has been accustomed to since the 1960s, GDOTS took their prototypes in a different direction with the bullpup configuration \u2014 the action and magazine located behind the fire control unit of the rifle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the primary benefits of a bullpup design is a final product that holds a longer barrel in a more compact frame, maximizing the effective range of the 6.8 mm cartridge the rifle uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
GDOTS’s NGSW-Rifle prototype, designed to replace the M4 and M4A1 carbines in Army infantry service (Photo Christian Lowe)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Both of GDOTS\u2019s -AR and -R guns have a charging handle on the left side that can be swapped to the right depending on user preference, as well as ambidextrous controls. A full length 12 o\u2019clock rail, as well as MLOK points on the side faces of the handguard, offer plenty of space for optics and electronics respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ejection port is located towards the rear of the gun near the stock, and ejects spent casings forward and away while in operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n