Barrett Firearms, renowned for its high-calibre rifles, has made a significant announcement: its participation in the U.S. Army's Precision Grenadier System (PGS) Program. The company's new offering, the Squad Support Rifle System (SSRS), aims to compete directly with FN America's PGS-001.

Barrett's decision to enter the PGS Program aligns with its ongoing commitment to providing innovative and battle-proven solutions to U.S. and allied forces. The SSRS is designed to meet the evolving demands of modern combat, offering soldiers a powerful and versatile weapon.

To enhance its capabilities, Barrett has formed a strategic partnership with MARS Inc., a company known for its Orion rifle, a finalist in the U.S. Army's xTechSoldier Lethality competition. This collaboration combines the expertise of two industry leaders in soldier lethality systems, resulting in a next generation 30mm support rifle.

“We are excited to be working with Barrett, the world’s premier soldier weapons manufacturer, to mature our 30mm Support Rifle System for the U.S. Army’s PGS Program,” Michael Merino, President of MARS Inc, said. “Together, we’re developing a solution that will greatly enhance the soldier’s ability to engage a wide range of battlefield threats.”

The Department of the Army's Product Manager Soldier Weapons hosted an Industry Day event in August for the PGS program, providing industry participants with detailed information about the program's goals and timeline. The event aimed to foster collaboration among vendors and ensure a smooth transition into the development and acquisition phase.

“Barrett will bring together a team of innovative partners to deliver a PGS solution that incorporates unique technologies optimizing lethality and soldier safety,” Bryan James, CEO of Barrett, said. “The SSRS is a key part of our expanded product line, offering new capabilities that enhance the effectiveness of allied forces on the battlefield.”

The SSRS boasts impressive specifications, including an overall length of 33.9 inches, a barrel with a 1:24 twist rate, and a weight of 13.9 pounds. It is equipped with a 5-round single-stack box magazine and supports a variety of 30x42mm ammunition, including training rounds, high explosive fragmentation rounds, and a specialized CQB round. Given MARS Inc.'s involvement, the SSRS's action is likely based on the long recoil principle.

The SSRS offers soldiers advanced capabilities, such as counter-defilade capabilities and the ability to neutralize Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and dismounted soldier targets. As the U.S. Army's PGS solicitation approaches in FY2026, Barrett, along with its team of industry partners, is poised to deliver a cutting-edge system that prioritizes both lethality and soldier safety.