REPORT
BERETTA
& GD-OTS
A complete surprise for visitors was the General Dy-
namic Ordnance and Tactical Systems RM277 rifle
exhibited at Beretta Defense Technologies booth.
The RM277 is a GD-OTS proposal for US Army Next
Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program as a re-
placement for M4 rifles and M249 SAW machine guns.
Competitors in NGSW are SIG Sauer and Textron but
their designs are more conventional. RM277 system
(joint effort of GD-OTS, Beretta and True Velocity) is
based on two bull-pup rifles fed from box magazines.
It seems that idea is based on the USMC concept where
IAR (HK416) rifles were selected as a replacement for
M249s. RM277 are 6.8 mm TVCM chambered (6.8 mm
= .277 hence the name). Rounds have lightweight poly-
mer cases for 40% weight saving over the brass ones.
RM277 have side charging handle which might be eas-
ily installed on either side without any tools required.
Details about the internal design are unknown but GD-
OTS claims that solutions provide better stability and
controllability when shooting full auto.
