Army selects fire control system for Next Generation Squad Weapon

The Army has selected Vortex Optics to provide up to 250,000 fire control systems for the Next Generation Squad Weapon, the service's Program Executive Office Soldier announced Jan. 7.

The Army has agreed to purchase XM157 Next Generation Squad Weapons-Fire Control (NGSW-FC) systems from Vortex Optics over a 10-year period, according to a release. The contract, a Follow-on Production Other Transaction Agreement, has a maximum value of $2.7 billion and a minimum value of $20 million, the release says.

The systems feature 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.

In addition to purchasing the systems, the contract allows the Army to procure supporting accessories, spare parts, repairs and engineering services, the release said. The NGSW-FC will replace at least four existing optic systems, according to the release.

The Next Generation Squad Weapons program is one of the Army’s modernization efforts.