US Army to field XM17 from November
The US Army will begin fielding the new Sig Sauer XM17 Modular Handgun to soldiers in November 2017, it was announced on 21 July.
The US Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, is to be the first unit to receive the new handgun, following the completion of testing over the spring at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The pistol is replacing the Beretta M9, which came into service in 1986.
101 Airborne is scheduled to receive about 2,000 pistols in November, with the roll out to the rest of the army to take place over a ten-year period.
The US Army's version of the Sig Sauer P320, the weapon will come in two variants - the XM17 and XM18. The weapon features improved durability and adjustability over the M9, along with interchangeable grips, external safety and self-illuminating sight.
Sig Sauer won the $580 million contract for the weapons in January after winning the army and air force's XM17 Modular Handgun Competition. The army will continue to use 9mm rounds with the gun and has sub-contracted Winchester for the ammunition.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![British Army details Ajax plans]()
British Army details Ajax plans
Of the six variants in the Ajax programme – reconnaissance (Ajax), reconnaissance support (Ares), C2 (Athena), equipment repair (Apollo), equipment recovery (Atlas) and engineering reconnaissance (Argus) – the Ajax reconnaissance version is now entering service.
-
![CV90 revels in northern exposure while looking for new customers (updated April 2025)]()
CV90 revels in northern exposure while looking for new customers (updated April 2025)
The BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 IFV has been around for decades but continual refreshing to maintain power and relevance, along with a healthy market at home in Sweden and neighbouring countries, has led to more than 1,700 vehicle orders with 10 countries.
-
![Oshkosh notches JLTV win with Dutch order]()
Oshkosh notches JLTV win with Dutch order
The order further extends the Oshkosh Defense production line as AM General, selected for US orders, pushes to get vehicles out the door with no room for export orders.
-
![US and Europe continue moves to boost 155mm munitions production]()
US and Europe continue moves to boost 155mm munitions production
The new US facility for 155mm artillery projectiles is a reflection of a worldwide trend which has also seen Rheinmetall and BAE Systems working to improve capability in the same area.
-
![Dronebuster product line and production capability expanded]()
Dronebuster product line and production capability expanded
DZYNE Technologies, the maker of Dronebuster counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) devices, has announced plans to expand production and released details on a new version of the system. This follows the release of an all-in-one kit system earlier this year.
