Green Beret says SOCOM's hypervelocity rifle will kill SIG M7 rifle

Though the Army adopted the SIG M7 rifle and M8 carbine, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) decided not to follow suit. Similarly, the Marine Corps also rejected the new weapon platform and its 6.8x51mm cartridge, electing instead to stick with its M27 IARs and NATO standard 5.56mm ammo.

In addition to adopting new Medium Range Gas Guns, chambered in 7.62mm NATO or 6.5mm Creedmoor for the assaulter and sniper roles, SOCOM’s latest procurement plan seems to indicate that the command has an aversion to the SIG.

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On May 18, 2026, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane published a solicitation for a contract named the Hypervelocity Improved Capability Assault Rifle (HICAR). The contract’s primary attributes include an 11-12 inch barrel, drop safety, and functionality with the HUXWRX Flow 556k “Black Magic” suppressor.

In case that didn’t give it away, the HICAR must also be chambered in 5.56mm.

While the contract calls for the HICAR to be able to fire legacy cartridges like M855A1 and Mk262, SOCOM also requires that the new rifle fire and function with government-supplied M855A1+. Described as a hypervelocity round with an effective range of 600m+, M855A1+ is noted to be loaded to 82kpsi. For reference, M855A1 is loaded to about 62kpsi.

SOCOM hypervelocity rifle magazine comparison — M855A1 required a new magazine to keep the round from damaging the rifle during feeding. (U.S. Army)

When M855A1 was introduced with higher pressure, M4A1s built for lower pressure M855 suffered from increased wear and decreased accuracy. To prevent more of the same with M855A1+ and future hypervelocity ammo, SOCOM lists secondary attributes of 2.5 MOA with 10 rounds at 100 meters with Mk262 and barrel life of 20,000 rounds with M855A1+. With this performance, SOCOM also wants the recoil impulse to be less than that of the Mk17 7.62mm.

With these and the numerous other requirements, manufacturers won’t be able to piece together a contract winner from existing parts. In March 2026, the Army announced a partnership with Carpenter Technology and Geissele Automatics to develop new barrels for the next generation of Army small arms.

While this partnership is not specifically linked with the HICAR program, you don’t need an S-2 analysis to connect the dots.

The specific terminal performance of M855A1+ is not listed in the solicitation. Future hypervelocity ammo is described as “optimized for projectile velocity and terminal effects on target.” While armor penetration is not specifically mentioned for the HICAR, characteristics of high pressure and hypervelocity are indicative of armor penetration.

SOCOM hypervelocity rifle Mk18 with suppressor — The compact Mk18 with an RC2 suppressor was a favorite in SOCOM and the HICAR calls for a similar setup. (U.S. Army)

In short, SOCOM wants a compact, suppressed, M4-style rifle that can shoot a new 5.56 round at long range with armor penetrating capability. That sounds an awful lot like the SIG M7 rifle and M8 carbine, but without the size, weight, and reduced ammo capacity as highlighted in Capt. Braden Trent’s report. Moreover, the HICAR would retain interoperability with legacy ammo stockpiles and NATO allies.

“I equate the M7 rifle, really, to ACUs,” said Special Forces Master Sgt. (ret.) Jeff Gurwitch on his YouTube channel Modern Tactical Shooting. “The Army, of course, knew it was complete buffoonery… but to save face, we drove on with it. And I think that’s exactly what’s going on right now with the M7.”

However, Gurwitch admits that the M7 has its place.

“It’s built for a bygone era. It’s built for Afghanistan,” he said. “We were all fighting at 500 yards and beyond because that’s how Afghans fought.”

SOCOM hypervelocity rifle7.62 NATO M240 — 1BCT also uses the 7.62mm NATO M240. (U.S. Army)

Gurwitch also pointed out that the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, which was spun up for a Middle East deployment during the Iran conflict in March 2026, still fields M4A1s.

“I think [the HICAR] is going to be another nail in the coffin for the SIG M7 rifle,” he stated.

At this time, the HICAR is just a wishlist. Whitepaper proposals are due June 8, 2026 and pitch meetings are scheduled for September 2026 at the Army Marksmanship Unit Range at Fort Benning, Georgia.