About 200 soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division tested the capabilities of the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon system from Sept. 1 to Oct. 30 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

The operational assessment included a range of weapon configurations, force-on-force engagements and static live-fire ranges, according to an Army news release.

“The Army needs equipment to continually evolve, to meet the threat of our adversaries,” said Elbert Grayson, supervisory military test plans analyst with Army Operational Test Command, according to the release. “Information is needed to make improvements to the NGSW that will benefit America’s most precious resource, our soldiers.”

The new weapon system is slated to replace the M4 carbine and M249 squad automatic weapon, representing a significant advancement in firepower, range and accuracy, and aims to impact over 120,000 soldiers, Grayson said.

Direct feedback from troops provides invaluable insight to ensure future soldiers receive the best possible equipment. “Having seen the capabilities of the 6.8 [mm] round, I have confidence that it will easily do in one to two rounds what the 5.56 [mm] did in two to four,” said Capt. John Green, a company commander with the division’s 506th Infantry Regiment, according to the release.

Designed to simulate combat as closely as possible, the assessment required soldiers to bound, low-crawl and high-crawl while maintaining accurate fire on targets up to 300 meters away.

“We've been doing quite a bit of ranges and pop-up targets, trying to recreate platoon assault objectives,” said Sgt. Todd Smallwood, a team leader. “The capability of the [6.8 mm] round being able to puncture and turn cover into concealment, I think it will make a huge difference in urban and forest environments.”

The system also was tested in simulated chemical, biologic, radiological, and nuclear environments.

“I like the fact that the testing of equipment has a possible impact on the next generation [of] soldiers that will be using it,” Grayson said. “My son is a soldier that may use equipment that I have had a part in testing, so I’m motivated to provide the most accurate data for Army leadership to make the most informed acquisition decision.”

Soldiers widely approved of the new system, according to the release. “We did 72 hours of force-on-force, urban rifle marksmanship and … a stress shoot,” said 1st Sgt. Barron Garrard of the 506th Infantry Regiment. “I think it [the NGSW] will change daily life in the way that we fight.”