FN America has shipped prototype 6.5mm systems to the US Department of Defense for evaluation by the Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD). The delivery includes the LICC-Individual Weapon System (LICC-IWS), LICC-Assault Machine Gun (LICC-AMG), along with suppressors, magazines, and the new 6.5×43 LICC ammunition family for comprehensive testing.
The LICC-IWS rifle comes in three barrel configurations to meet diverse operational needs, from close-quarters combat to designated marksman tasks. Meanwhile, the LICC-AMG is a lightweight, belt-fed machine gun that fires the same 6.5mm rounds using side-fed metallic links. FN has also developed a stainless steel-cased ammunition option, reducing the overall carried weight by approximately 20 percent, providing logistical and mobility advantages for soldiers.
Some LICC models and suppressors have already received national stock numbers, allowing units to requisition them for realistic operational trials. The IWTSD designs its tests to simulate the complex and unpredictable conditions of irregular warfare, evaluating weapons not just for performance, but also for ease of transport, reliability, maintainability, and user-friendliness under stress.
Passing these evaluations is critical for defense contractors, as it can unlock future prototype programs, testing contracts, and potential fielding opportunities. Findings from the IWTSD, when communicated to program offices or published, provide guidance on the next steps in weapon development and procurement, helping the US military field systems optimized for modern expeditionary and low-intensity operations.
