True Velocity, a Texas-based company, and Beretta USA announced on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, a strategic partnership in support of potential weapon production stemming from the U.S. Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon program, which is in its final stages and will be awarded in the coming months. Here is what they say in a press release:
“True Velocity subsidiary LoneStar Future Weapons is the prime contractor in the team’s bid for the NGSW program, which is designed to replace the U.S. Army’s currently fielded 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge and the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon that fire it. Beretta USA will assist LSFW and True Velocity with the production, assembly and testing of key components of the RM277 rifle and automatic rifle submitted as part of the team’s bid for NGSW. Both weapons are configured to fire True Velocity’s proprietary 6.8 TVCM composite-cased cartridge.”
Beretta USA and the RM277 project for military and civilian use
“In addition to supporting True Velocity in weapon production for NGSW, Beretta USA will also take a leading role in the development of a variant of the RM277 intended for sale to international allies of the United States, as well as a semi-automatic variant of the RM277 rifle intended for civilian sale in the U.S. commercial market. Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT), the alliance of Beretta group companies focused on serving global military and law enforcement customers, will also explore other applications and chamberings of the 6.8TVC commercial cartridge in its extensive firearm portfolio.”
“'With the addition of Beretta USA as a strategic partner, True Velocity further enhances its ability to deliver true next-generation weapons and ammunition not only to our customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, but also to our international allies and the domestic commercial market,' said True Velocity Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Boscamp. 'Combining Beretta USA’s rich history of delivering high-quality, rugged, reliable weapons with True Velocity’s innovative approach to advanced weapon and ammunition development puts us in an optimal position to lead the global modernization of small arms and ammunition.'”
“Francesco Valente, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Beretta USA said: 'We are very excited to be part of the True Velocity team in bringing such revolutionary technology to market. We have provided the M9 pistol to the DoD for over 35 years and now look forward to putting our US design and manufacturing facility and resources to work on this innovative program to increase our warfighters’ capabilities.'”
'We look forward to working with True Velocity and Beretta USA on the development of a complete system centered on the RM277 to support the mission of the US soldiers and their allies,' added Carlo Ferlito Vice President of Beretta Defense Technologies.”
“True Velocity’s proprietary composite-cased 6.8 TVCM ammunition delivers enhanced lethality, increased effective range, and an unmatched reduction in weight. The LoneStar Future Weapons RM277 weapon offers maximum lethality in a compact, lightweight package capable of stable and accurate automatic fire, long-range effectiveness and reduced recoil. Paired together, the resulting weapon system meets or exceeds all NGSW requirements.”
