True Velocity, one of the contenders partnered with General Dynamics for the NGSW squad weapon programme, sued SIG Sauer for stealing critical information. True Velocity has sued SIG Sauer, the winner of the NGSW competition, for stealing competent personnel from General Dynamics, who worked on the cancelled .338 calibre LMMG machine gun. As reported by Defense News, the firm states that critical technical and trade information was transferred to SIG Sauer, which denies the allegations. True Velocity was one of the firms that developed 6.8x51 mm ammunition for its partner firm, General Dynamics’ RM277 rifle prototype.
The ammunition developed by True Velocity has a polymer case instead of metal for reduced weight. A similar technology was used for the casing of telescoped ammunition of the LSAT lightweight machine gun.
SIG Sauer has developed its own 6.8x51 mm ammunition based on .277 Fury. The ammunition has a brass section that can withstand higher pressures and is reduced in weight. It will be used on the XM7 rifle and XM250 machine gun, the competition’s winning squad weapons.
It is not certain if the allegations will affect the procurement process. The possibilities are either a halt until the case is closed or the Army continuing by raising the urgency of new squad weapons.
