While we’re all looking at the movies for the future of high-tech weapons, science fiction is closer to reality than we think. As a result of some of the brightest minds in the defense industry, some of these weapons are likely to be available sooner than you might suspect. Whether in the United States, Russia, Finland, or Korea, the future of firearms looks very bright.
IXI-EW Dronekiller
- Type: Anti-drone rifle
- Country: United States
The IXI-EW Dronekiller, as its name implies, is a countermeasure to enemy drones in the field. Configured like a standard rifle with a pistol grip, this gun weighs just under 9 pounds. Like other drone countermeasures, it neutralizes communications between the drone and its operator. The IXI-EW Dronekiller can reach aerial targets roughly 1,000 meters away.
Kalashnikov AK-19
- Type: Assault rifle
- Country: Russia
The AK-19 continues the line of Kalashnikov assault rifles, but this one is chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO round. The AK-19 generally maintains the arrangement of the AK-47 with its gas-operated firing action and overall design.
Kalashnikov AK-203
- Type: Assault rifle
- Country: India
The Kalashnikov AK-47 brand of assault rifle is typically associated with Russia, but one of the newest models coming out for the Indian Army is the Kalashnikov AK-203. This gun is a joint venture by India and Russia and improves upon the AK47’s penetration-at-range with its 7.62mm caliber bullet.
Kalashnikov PLK (Lebedev)
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Country: Russia
Kalashnikov developed the PLK chambered for 9mm rounds to counter the Western semi-automatic service pistols. This pistol functions similarly with a semi-automatic firing action and has a 14-round detachable box magazine.
Lokmas PARS STUPOR
- Type: Anti-drone rifle
- Country: Russia
The Lokmas PARS STUPOR is the new Russian anti-drone gun. Like other drone countermeasures, the STUPOR acts to disrupt communications with the target via electromagnetic pulses, causing the drone to fly aimlessly or crash. This gun functions like a rifle with a sighting device mounted on top to provide accuracy at range and a conventional trigger to actuate the weapon.
M250
- Type: Squad automatic weapon
- Country: United States
The M250 is expected to be the next evolution of the Squad Automatic Weapons for the U.S. Army, building on the M249 SAW. The M250 is chambered for higher-caliber rounds, 6.8x51mm SIG Fury, as opposed to the previous generation’s standard 5.56x45mm NATO rounds. SAW guns are a source of rapid direct firepower, generally used for support or suppressive fire.
MCX Spear
- Type: Battle rifle
- Country: United States
SIG-Sauer manufactures the XM5, or MCX Spear, the chosen successor to the standard-issue M4 of the U.S. Army. The MCX Spear builds on the AR-15’s tech in terms of its modularity and firing action but is chambered for the 6.8x51mm SIG Fury rounds. The maximum effective range for this standard-issue gun is said to be up to 1,700 feet.
MK-22 Sniper
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Country: United States
The MK-22 is set to replace the U.S. Army’s M107 sniper rifle and M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle. It is also expected to replace all bolt-action sniper rifles for the Marines. This sniper rifle can fire a series of rounds, including the standard 7.62mm, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum. Barrett Firearms makes the MK-22, which calls this sniper rifle the Multi-Role Adaptive Design rifle, or MRAD.
NT Service UAB EDM4S (Sky Wiper)
- Type: Anti-drone rifle
- Country: Lithuania
The EDM4S, or Electronic Drone Mitigation 4 System, is another countermeasure to drones. Constructed like a basic rifle with a barrel and pistol grip, it fires an electromagnetic pulse that disrupts communications signals between the drone and its operator.
PGM Mini-Hecate II
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Country: France
The PGM Mini-Hecate II is a highly modular tactical bolt-action sniper rifle. Unlike its brother, the Hecate II, an anti-material rifle, the Mini-Hecate II is downsized and more fitting of the role of a NATO-type infantry sniper. It is chambered for multiple rounds, including 300NM, 300PRC, 338NM, 338L, and 375 SWISS P.
Precision Grenadier System
- Type: Grenade Launcher
- Country: United States
The U.S. Army is looking to upgrade its grenade launchers from the legacy M320, and it appears to be turning to the new Precision Grenadier System. The Army previously tried to replace the M320 with the XM25, but this failed after the Army terminated the contract. The system is expected to be a portable integrated weapon capable of destroying personnel targets up to 1,000 meters.
QBZ-191
- Type: Battle rifle
- Country: China
The QBZ-191, or Type 20, is China’s newest rifle series. The Chongqing Jianshe Industry of the CSGC manufactures these. They are highly modular and capable of filling the roles of an assault rifle, assault carbine, and designated marksman rifle. They are chambered uniquely for the 5.8x42mm intermediate cartridge.
Rheinmetall SSW40
- Type: Grenade Launcher
- Country: Germany
The SSW40, or Squad Support Weapon 40, is the new German version of Rheinmetall’s 40mm automatic grenade launcher. This iteration of the grenade launcher is expected to expand modern infantry’s grenade-firing and fire support capabilities. The SSW40 is automatic action and magazine-fed, capable of hitting target areas as far away as 900 meters.
SAKO M23
- Type: Battle rifle
- Country: Finland
The SAKO M23 Modular Weapon System is attempting to fill various roles within the Finnish military, replacing some Soviet-era guns still in service. This gun will fill a few roles: battle, designated marksman, and dedicated sniper rifle. Despite these different designations, the rifle is chambered for the standard 7.62x51mm NATO round.
SNT Motiv STC16
- Type: Modular assault rifle
- Country: South Korea
South Korea is modernizing many small arms, eyeing a more domestic design and local manufacturing. The SNT Motiv STC16 is the next generation of modular assault rifles expected to enter the service soon. It is chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO round and operates with the proven short-stroke gas-operated piston. The highly modular gun can mount a series of optics and other tactical accessories.
SNT Motiv STSM21
- Type: Modular submachine gun
- Country: South Korea
The South Korean small arms arsenal is adding a new modular submachine gun, the SNT Motiv STSM21. Like many other submachines, the STSM21 chamber is chambered for 9mm rounds. The STSM21 design incorporates the most modern trends for submachines, and it is expected to serve in a personal defense capacity and for close-quarters or urban combat.
SNT Motiv STSR23
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Country: South Korea
The SNT Motiv STSR23 is another South Korean upgrade set for the coming years. This designated marksman rifle uses a gas-operated piston arrangement for its firing mechanism and is chambered for the standard 7.62x51mm NATO round. This DMR can have variable barrel lengths for whatever operational needs may be.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©artas / iStock via Getty Images.
