The Army Brief: New squad weapons; Third Ukraine weapons package; Artillery training; and more...

Welcome to The Army Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the service’s future. 

New small arms. Next year, the first unit of soldiers is expected to get their hands on the next-generation squad weapons that have been in development for more than two years, Defense One reports. Sig Sauer’s designs for the XM5 rifle and XM250 machine gun won the coveted competition; their new 6.8mm ammunition is designed to be more lethal than the 5.56mm and 7.62mm rounds that have been around for decades. 

Aid package No. 3. President Joe Biden announced a third $800 million package of weapons for Ukraine, including 72 155mm howitzers and 144,000 rounds, Defense One reports. The package has nearly depleted the funds authorized by Congress last month. Biden is expected to submit a supplemental budget request next week.

Artillery training. The U.S. will soon be training a small group of Ukrainian forces on how to use their new 155mm howitzers at an undisclosed location outside of Ukraine, Defense One reports. The desperately needed artillery will be arriving in Ukraine in the coming days as Russian forces start operations in the eastern Donbas region where fighting is expected to be fierce. 

Sign up to get The Army Brief every Friday morning from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On April 22, 1954, Sen. Joseph McCarthy, R-Wisconsin, began hearings to investigate the Army communists in the service. His behavior during the hearing led to his censure and the end of his hunt for communists in the government, Hollywood, and academia.

From Defense One

Soldiers Will Have to Wait Until Next Year for New Rifle, Ammo // Caitlin M. Kenney

Sig Sauer's decade-long contract to make the weapons leads off with a tiny order for quality testing.

US to Train Ukrainians to Use Their New 155mm Howitzers // Caitlin M. Kenney

The donated artillery is expected to arrive within days—but there are reports that the Russian assault in the east is already starting.

Biden Announces Third $800M Weapons Package To Ukraine To Help Donbas Fight // Jacqueline Feldscher

The White House will ask Congress for more money next week to keep weapons flowing.

Kyiv Asked for a New Kamikaze Drone to Fight Russia. The Air Force Delivered Phoenix Ghost // Tara Copp

At least 121 of the new drones are headed to Ukraine as part of the latest $800 million security package.

NATO Should Start Preparing Troops For a Nuclear Battlefield // Jonathan D. Moreno

Our own history can help prepare for the physical and psychological effects should Russia use tactical nukes in the next conflict.