By Sarah Hepburn, Army Innovation Programs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army xTech Program has chosen MARS, Inc. as the winner of the xTechSoldier Lethality competition for their advanced Squad Support Rifle System capability, which enhances precision and survivability for dismounted Soldiers. In coordination with Program Executive Office Soldier, Joint Program Executive Office Armaments & Ammunition, the Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, and the Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, the competition focused on identifying and accelerating cutting-edge Precision Grenadier Systems to enhance Soldier lethality on the battlefield.

Competition advances Army’s mission to enhance Soldier lethality

Launched in July 2023, the xTechSoldier Lethality competition was designed to fuel American innovation in support of a more lethal, agile and resilient force. According to Lt. Col. Micah Rue, Project Manager Soldier Lethality Product Manager for Soldier Weapons, PGS solutions are critical because they reduce Soldiers’ reliance on other units for fire support and will provide the capability to the squad level..

To solicit best-of-breed PGS solutions, the competition offered $975,000 in cash prizes and a potential follow-on agreement with PEO Soldier valued up to $2 million to continue evaluation to inform the Army’s requirement.

“The xTechSoldier Lethality competition has sparked industry collaboration and innovation, bringing a new PGS market to life and identifying the 30 mm Support Rifle System as a potential  solution due to its operational effectiveness and ability to adapt to future requirements,” Rue said. “PEO Soldier is proud to partner with MARS to continue to explore their solution to meet the needs of the Army.”

The two finalists, FN America and MARS, each had the opportunity to participate in final demonstrations between February and April 2025 before a panel of Army and Department of Defense experts.

In under two years, both companies utilized seed funding, operator feedback and key industry partnerships to deliver live-fire PGS prototypes. These systems featured portable, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, integrated armament systems, offering greater precision than legacy grenade launchers. Notably, these solutions also demonstrated technology characteristics , such as flight time of near or under three seconds and the ability to engage targets within five seconds, enabling Soldiers to react faster, stay safer and deliver more precise fire support. This development directly enhances the Army’s ability to rapidly deploy advanced capabilities, improving Soldier lethality and operational effectiveness while minimizing exposure to enemy fire.

“The continuous advancement of weapons technology is crucial for ensuring the enhanced effectiveness and safety of our Soldiers,” said Dr. Matt Willis, director of Army Innovations Programs. “The live-fire demos further demonstrate that xTech is a genuine platform for innovation, delivering real operational prototypes, such as the 30 mm Support Rifle System, with real impacts.”

MARS aims to eventually compete the 30 mm Support Rifle System in the PGS program for the Army to support Soldiers on the frontlines.

“The offer of funding and possible contracts incentivizes businesses like mine to invest in developing solutions that enhance lethality for Soldiers taking risks for our freedom,” said Mike Merino, president of MARS and a member of the Montana Army National Guard.

Building on Success: xTech Targets Fire Control Innovation

Building on its success in the PGS market, xTech launched the xTechSoldier Fire Control competition in February 2025. This new initiative seeks breakthrough concepts for the Next Generation Squad Weapon Fire Control Module-X. xTech plans to announce the final winner in early 2026.

About the Army xTech Program

Since its inception in 2018, the Army xTech Program has become a catalyst for innovation, bridging the gap between emerging technology developers with Army stakeholders. More than just competitions, xTech provides participants with essential feedback, training, and meaningful opportunities to network. By hosting multiple competitions annually, the program accelerates the development of dual-use technologies that directly addresses Army needs, enabling innovators to refine their solutions, navigate the defense ecosystem and transition towards partnerships that deliver meaningful capabilities to Soldiers.