U.S. special operations officials are set to select a new machine gun by Oct. 1 to give shooters .50-caliber-like performance in a lightweight machine gun package. The project focused on the .338 Norma Magnum for more distance and lethal punch in a portable weapon. Three companies competing for the contract are Ohio Ordnance Works, Sig Sauer, and True Velocity with Lonestar Future Weapons.
The weapon is scheduled for fielding in fiscal 2026, with Sig Sauer previously winning contracts for other military firearms. The Lightweight Medium Machinegun from the competitors have specific specifications. U.S. troops noticed range limitations in Afghanistan and evaluations began on small arms and ammunition for better performance.
In 2021, Army snipers began using the .338 Norma Magnum, and SOCOM fielded a sniper rifle that can fire multiple types of ammunition. The project was handled by the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate. Todd South, a Marine veteran of the Iraq War, has reported on crime, courts, government, and the military since 2004.
