FN America, a leading arms manufacturer, has delivered prototype 6.5mm weapon systems to the US Department of Defense for live-fire evaluation. The shipment was sent to the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) and includes the LICC-Individual Weapon System (LICC-IWS), LICC-Assault Machine Gun (LICC-AMG), as well as suppressors, magazines, and the new 6.5×43 LICC ammunition family.
The LICC-IWS is a magazine-fed rifle offered in three barrel lengths, providing flexibility for close quarters combat, general-purpose engagements, and designated marksman roles. The LICC-AMG is a lightweight, belt-fed machine gun designed to use the same 6.5×43mm rounds, featuring a side-feed mechanism with light metallic links for efficient ammunition handling. FN has also introduced a stainless steel-cased ammo variant, reducing carried weight by roughly 20 percent compared with traditional brass.
Several LICC variants and two suppressors have already been assigned national stock numbers, allowing military units to request them for operational testing. The IWTSD’s evaluations replicate the unpredictable conditions of expeditionary and low-intensity conflicts, assessing not only ballistic performance, but also maintainability, transportability, and ease of use under stressful conditions.
Successful performance in these tests can pave the way for further government trials, prototype contracts, and eventual fielding opportunities. The IWTSD’s findings, when released or briefed to program offices, will inform technical development and procurement decisions, ensuring that the US military can adopt weapons optimized for modern irregular warfare scenarios.
