How to unlock the CX-9 SMG in Modern Warfare and Warzone

A new trailer for Season 5 of Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops Cold War was released earlier today. The trailer also came with a piece of key art, which hinted at the 2021 title being named “Vanguard.” While that was far more news than fans were expecting from the franchise today, a new weapon, also dropped in Warzone and Modern Warfare: the CX-9 submachine gun.

The CX-9 has been long-rumored to arrive in Modern Warfare and, subsequently, Warzone. However, it seemed like Raven Software had given up on the idea of adding a primary weapon to Modern Warfare — which is nearly two years old at this point. However, they delivered earlier today when the CX-9 arrived in-game. Players can now unlock it in either Modern Warfare or Warzone.

Unlocking the CX-9 in Modern Warfare and Warzone

Some players might have caught a glimpse at the CX-9 when the developers accidentally released the Soap Store Bundle. This bundle came with the Soap Operator and a weapon blueprint for the CX-9, which wasn’t announced at the time. Many players jumped on the chance to purchase the bundle but, unfortunately, the CX-9 was unavailable to use.

That changed when the developers fully released the base variant of the CX-9 in Modern Warfare and Warzone. Players can navigate to the SMG category of either game to see the weapon and its stats. They can also see how to unlock it through an in-game challenge: getting 2 Longshot kills while using SMGs in five different matches

Players have reported that once they’ve unlocked the cx9 through the challenge, they can’t level it up. There’s no word on whether this is intentional or a bug. Once players complete the CX-9 unlock challenge in either game, it will be unlocked in the other. Players who don’t want to go this route can also unlock it through the Soap Operator Bundle. This costs 2,400 COD Points and unlocks Soap, a weapon blueprint for the CX-9 and a plethora of other cosmetics.

Season 5 of Warzone and Cold War releases on August 12, 2021.