A person looks at a pistol made by the Swiss arms manufacturer Sig Sauer during the 29th edition of the Lausanne International Arms Exchange in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2023. The Air Force Global Strike Command on Sunday approved the continued use of the Sig Sauer M18 pistol after investigating the July 20 death of an airman who died when his pistol accidentally discharged. File Photo by Laurent Gillieron/EPA
The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command has approved the use of the Sig Sauer M18 pistol after investigating the accidental death of an airman in July.
Airman Brayden Lovan, 21, died when if M18 discharged while at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming on July 20, which prompted Air Force officials to temporarily halt the sidearm’s use.
A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of an individual suspected of involuntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice and making a false statement.
The Air Force on Sunday reinstated its approval for service members to continue using the pistol.
Sig Sauer officials on Wednesday said they cooperated with the Global Strike Command while it investigated the incident and inspected the pistol that discharged to ensure airmen have safe and reliable sidearms.
“The M18 was specifically designed and rigorously tested to meet stringent requirements unique to the military,” Phil Strader, Sig Sauer vice president of Consumer Affairs, said in a news release.
“The AFGSC’s comprehensive M18 investigation and inspection validates the platform’s military suitability,” Strader added.
The M18 is a striker-fired 9mm pistol that holds 17 rounds in a standard magazine and one in the chamber.
At least 77 lawsuits have been filed due to alleged “uncommanded discharges” of the pistol and its P320 civilian counterpart.
