Another victory for SIG Sauer as it makes big inroads in the U.S. military by winning contracts for its firearms. The latest contract comes from the USSOCOM after it finished certification of the SIG SAUER MG 338 Machine Gun, 338 Norma Mag Ammunition, and Next Generation Suppressors which the company has already completed delivery.

According to The Drive’s “The War Zone” section, the US SOCOM was supposed to conduct testing of Norma Mag Machine Guns in October 2019 up to May of this year. But with the announcement from SIG Sauer, the evaluation may have been completed early with SIG Sauer meeting the safety requirements two days ago.

The SIG MG 338 which weights around 20 pounds is lighter than the 7.62mm M240, which has been in service for decades and probably even lighter than the MK48 which weighs 22 pounds when empty. It can also outrange the M240 since the requirements of the SOCOM is a weapon that can shoot 6,500 and 8,200 feet while the M240 has an effective range of 1,100 meters (5,900 feet).

Press release from SIG Sauer gives more details about the SOCOM contract right below the video:

USSOCOM Completes Safety Certification and Purchase of SIG SAUER MG 338 Machine Guns, Ammunition, and Next Generation Suppressors

NEWINGTON, N.H., (January 15, 2020) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the United States Special Operation Command (USSOCOM), working closely with SIG SAUER, has completed a safety certification of the new SIG SAUER MG 338 Machine Gun, SIG SAUER 338 Norma Mag Ammunition, and Next Generation Suppressors. Following this historic official safety certification, SIG SAUER has completed deliveries of multiple systems, comprised of the MG 338 Machine Guns, 338 Norma Mag Ammunition, and Next Generation Suppressors – all researched, designed, engineered, and manufactured by SIG SAUER in the U.S.A.

“The safety certification of the complete SIG SAUER MG 338 system and delivery of the system to USSOCOM is historically very significant. For the first time in decades the U.S. Military certified a new machine gun, ammunition, and suppressor at the same time, bringing new innovation, portability, and increased lethality to our ground forces, with all components coming from one company,” began Ron Cohen, President and CEO, SIG SAUER, Inc. “This certification was achieved following the outstanding performance of the complete MG 338 system through the rigors of the extensive function, durability, and safety tests set forth by USSOCOM.”

The SIG MG 338 bridges the gap between the current machine guns currently in use with the U.S. Military. In comparison to the current M240 (7.62x51cal) machine gun, which has been in service with the U.S. Military for 60 years, the SIG MG 338, is noticeably lighter, weighing only 20 pounds, and provides significantly more range and lethality. In comparison to the M2 (.50cal), which has been in service with the U.S. Military for 110 years, the MG 338 is approximately one-quarter the weight, and in a historic first, offers a man-portable solution with similar effective-range. Making this system even more desirable is the new SIG SAUER Next Generation Suppressors which drastically reduces the impact of harmful toxic fumes and signature, making the operator less vulnerable.

The SIG SAUER MG 338 machine gun is a belt-fed, lightweight medium machine gun weighing under 20lbs., chambered in 338 Norma Mag. The MG 338 features a short-stroke gas piston system and a proprietary recoil mitigation system, with a free-floating, quick-change barrel, ambidextrous controls, switchable feed tray, charging handle that can be alternated to either side depending on operator preference, and as a modern, multi-caliber, modular system the new SIG MG 338 is easily convertible to 7.62x51cal.

“We are incredibly proud of this historical accomplishment and honored to have received this safety certification by USSOCOM for the performance of the complete MG 338 system,” concluded Cohen.