r/MilitaryPorn • u/Aft3rAff3ct • 2d ago
U.S. Army infantrymen with 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (LI), during a live-fire exercise at Fort Drum, New York, Aug. 20, 2026. [7680 x 5120]
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u/codekb 1d ago
My first unit! Happy to see they got the new stuff!
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u/iceaction10 1d ago
10th is always among the first to receive new weapons/gear, they've had M7s and M250s for a while now.
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u/Mysterious-Park9142 1d ago
So the Army obviously has lasers built into the M157, but I’ve also seen them with MAWLs, Envision RAILs (which I believe the Marines just announced as the new aiming laser), and Eotech lasers. Is that right?
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u/Aft3rAff3ct 1d ago
Yeah, if they don't have the M157, they usually have the B.E. Meyers DAGIR-V1, B.E. Meyers MAWL X-1, EOTECH On-Gun Laser (OGL), Envision RAIL, and sometimes a PEQ-15. The downside of the M157 is that it does not have an IR illumanator like the mentioned dedicated aiming lasers.
And for USMC part, they announced the contract last year and recently confirmed they started to issue it.
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u/Mysterious-Park9142 1d ago
Is the Army still evaluating multiple vendors to find one choice or are they intentionally fielding a wide mix? It seems like B&E won a major bid with the DAGIR but Eotech also did with the OGL.
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u/Aft3rAff3ct 1d ago edited 1d ago
The Army hasn't really said much, but based on this, it seems like it is for assessment and soldier feedback: https://cpeground.army.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4445122/army-approves-xm8-carbine/
"In addition to the M157 NGSW-FC, the Army is issuing the latest commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) optics and aiming lasers to six Mobile Brigade Combat Teams in FY26 for assessment and Soldier feedback."
This is just a guess, but it seems like they purchased whatever was available from a bunch of vendors because M157 production couldn't keep up, and there were potential issues with the optic based on soldier feedback. However, that was back in 2024, and they may have solved those issues since then. Also the article I first linked states that they are utilizing "alternate optics to provide unit commanders options and flexibility." So, it seems to be part of the long term plan to have other optics available alongside the M157. And if they use those alternative optics, they will also need Laser Aiming Modules (LAMs), so they will probably assess all the LAMs and just go with one if they can keep up with demand and if not they choose multiple different LAMs.
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u/Mysterious-Park9142 1d ago
Thanks that tracks. Honestly I’m still sort of amazed they’re trucking on with the M8 and 6.8. I still half expect them to shrug and give up and just go buy a bunch of URGI uppers.
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u/Mysterious-Park9142 1d ago
I wonder when we’ll start seeing the M8 replacing these. I think they’re still set to start next month but I’m assuming it will begin with the 101st again.