The U.S. military embodies the military doctrine of constantly advancing and improving its technology to better equip its soldiers. This principle holds especially true with the small arms that are currently in service in the U.S. Armed Forces. Over the years, the U.S. military has introduced newer and more sophisticated weapons to its infantry units, each increasing the combat effectiveness of the modern U.S. soldier. (These are the 21st century American war heroes.)
Many of the small arms currently in service with the U.S. military date back decades as they have been tried and tested in many combat scenarios. While many of these weapons exist within the arsenal of the U.S. military, there have been a number of developments in recent years that have greatly added to the combat effectiveness of the modern U.S. soldier.
Here 24/7 Wall St. is taking a closer at some of the newest guns in use by the U.S. military. To determine the most recent small arms to enter U.S. military service, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a range of sources, including military handbooks, government press releases, and firearms publications pertaining to small arms and light weapons currently used by the U.S. military. Small arms are ranked according to what year they entered the service, excluding weapons before the year 2000, based on information from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms and more used by militaries across the world. Data on the type of weapon, caliber, feed, and manufacturer also came from Military Factory.
The weapons on the list range from sniper rifles, shotguns, rocket launchers, and more. Some of the manufacturers are household names in gun culture, while others might not be as well known, but each plays a critical role in the success of the U.S. military. (The U.S. military uses these 16 sniper rifles.)
Here is a look at the newest guns currently in use by the U.S. military:
18. Mk 12 SPR
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2002
- Type: Designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle
- Manufacturer: ArmaLite / Colt / Knight’s Armament Company
- Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO; 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
17. M26 (MASS)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2003
- Type: Modular accessory shotgun system
- Manufacturer: C-More Systems
- Caliber and feed: 12-gauge; 3- or 5-round detachable box magazine
16. Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR
Source: usairforce / Flickr
- Year entered service: 2004
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Manufacturer: Smith Enterprises
- Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO; 20-round detachable box magazine
15. HK 416
Source: Dybdal. / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2005
- Type: Assault rifle
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
- Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO; 20- or 30-round detachable magazine
14. M32 MGL
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2006
- Type: Six-shot grenade launcher
- Manufacturer: Milkor
- Caliber and feed: 40x46mm; Six-shot rotating cylinder
13. M110 SASS
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2007
- Type: Designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle
- Manufacturer: Knight’s Armament Company
- Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO; 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
12. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2008
- Type: Designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle
- Manufacturer: USMC Armorers
- Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO; 20-round detachable box magazine
11. Barrett M107
Source: scguard / Flickr
- Year entered service: 2008
- Type: Anti-materiel / anti-personnel sniper rifle
- Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms Company
- Caliber and feed: 12.7x99mm NATO (.50 BMG); 10-round detachable box magazine
10. FN SCAR (MK 16 / MK 17)
Source: Arbal01 / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2009
- Type: Modular automatic assault rifle
- Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
- Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO; 20- or 30-round box magazine
9. M320 GLM
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2010
- Type: Grenade launcher
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
- Caliber and feed: 40x46mm SR; Single-shot
8. HK M27 IAR
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2011
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
- Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO; 30-round detachable box magazine
7. APC9
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2011
- Type: Modular personal defense weapon
- Manufacturer: Brugger and Thomet
- Caliber and feed: 9x19mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP; 15-, 20-, 25- or 30-round detachable box magazine
6. Kel-Tec KSG
Source: Mesa Tactical / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2011
- Type: Pump-action bullpup shotgun
- Manufacturer: Kel-Tec CNC Industries
- Caliber and feed: 12-gauge; Twin 6-shot internal tube magazine
5. M2010 ESR
Source: MathKnight / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2011
- Type: Sniper rifle
- Manufacturer: Remington Arms
- Caliber and feed: .300 Winchester Magnum; 5-round detachable box magazine
4. Remington MSR
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2013
- Type: Sniper rifle
- Manufacturer: Remington Arms
- Caliber and feed: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, 7.62x51mm NATO; 5-, 7- or 10-round detachable box magazine
3. Carl-Gustav M4 (CGM4)
- Year entered service: 2014
- Type: Man-portable shoulder-fired multi-role weapon
- Manufacturer: Saab Technologies
- Caliber and feed: 70mm; Single-shot
2. P320
Source: Digitallymade / Wikimedia Commons
- Year entered service: 2014
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
- Caliber and feed: 9x19mm Parabellum, .357 SIG, .40 S&W, .45 ACP; 10-, 14- or 17-round detachable box magazine
1. Dronekiller
Source: koto_feja / Getty Images
- Year entered service: 2020
- Type: Man-portable counter drone system
- Manufacturer: IXI-EW
- Caliber and feed: N/A
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With A Financial Advisor (Sponsored)
Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the
advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Take the retirement quiz right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.