XM-25

[rgrpuck]

ADVANCED AIR BURST: A First Look at the XM25
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Hidden or hard-to-reach enemies? The XM25 Grenade Launcher provides a soldier with up to a 500 percent increase in hit probability, and is a lighter and more compact version of its XM29 predecessor. But will this Future Combat Weapon fly? Here's a first look.



Will it fly?: The XM25 Grenade Launcher improves upon its cumbersome predecessor, the XM29/OICW, but its reliability remains to be seen.

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About DefenseReview.com



By David Crane
Editor, DefenseReview.com

On April 27th (2005), Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK) issued a press release on their semi-auto XM25 25mm "advanced airbursting" MGL (multiple grenade launcher) through PR Newswire. ATK calls it the XM25 "Air-Burst Assault Weapon." DefenseReview has known about the XM25 development program for a while now, but we never quite got around to writing about it. So the reader is aware, we'll be reporting on the XM25 in more detail in a future article. In the meantime, however, we're going to do a little light coverage on the XM25 in this one:

The XM25 is an offshoot of the U.S. Army/JSSAP/Picatinny Arsenal, NJ XM29/OICW. It's no secret that we here at DefRev weren't big fans of this system. The XM29/OICW (Objective Individual Combat Weapon) combined a semi-auto 20mm grenade multiple grenade launcher (MGL) -- utilizing high-explosive timed-fuse air-burst grenades -- with an underbarrel-mounted 5.56x45mm "kinetic energy weapon" component (a short-barrelled/modified HK G36-type system).

There were a lot of problems with that system, including excessive size, excessive weight (they couldn't get it below approx. 18 lbs), less-than-optimal ergonomics, excessive cost per unit, lack of lethality of the 20mm timed-fuse air-burst grenades, lack of effectiveness (with respect to range) of the underbarrel-mounted assault rifle/subcarbine (due to the abbreviated/shortened barrel), and awkward configuration (5.56mm rifle/carbine situated underneath the 20mm grenade launcher). There were even reported problems with the timed-fuse 20mm grenade system. The rumor was that the timing system wasn't acceptably reliable (unconfirmed/unverified).

Killer Features: XM25 Grenade Launcher


Name:
XM25 25mm Multiple Grenade Launcher (MGL)

Killer Features:
Increased lethality over XM29, with 25mm grenades (up from 20mm)
Stand-alone semi-automatic grenade launcher
5.56 subcarbine element
Lighter, more compact than the XM29

Related Links:
Alliant Tech Systems (ATK)
XM25 Press Release
Defense Review on the XM29
The XM29 on GlobalSecurity
Equipment Guide



With the XM25, ATK has increased the size of the grenades from 20mm to 25mm for increased lethality and (wisely) separated the grenade launcher element from the 5.56 subcarbine element, creating a stand-alone semi-auto 25mm multiple grenade launcher (MGL) that just might have solved all of the problems that plagued the XM29/OICW. When I first saw the behemoth that was the OICW, a number of years ago, I immediately disliked it. One of the first thoughts I had upon viewing it was that the 20mm grenade launcher should be a separate weapon. With the XM25, ATK has done just that -- AND simultaneously increased target lethality with the bump-up to 25mm. It's also possible that they've perfected the target acquisition/fire control/timed-fuse air-bursting system, so the system is now combat-reliable. We'll have to see.

Basically, the ATK XM25 looks viable, provided that the improved-lethality 25mm grenades actually prove lethal enough on the battlefield, the targeting system (a.k.a. "target acquisition/fire control system") and timed-fuse air-burst system are acccurate and reliable, the weapon proves reliable (no stoppages or jams) and robust/rugged under combat conditions, and OA weapon weight is manageable for the end-user. If so, the XM25 could fly. Defense Review will investigate, and report back to our readers.

Here's what ATK (Alliant Techsystems, Inc.) has to say about the XM25 Air-Burst Assault Weapon, on their website:


Airbursting rounds for the XM25.


"The XM25 air-burst assault weapon is a next-generation, semi-automatic weapon system designed for effectiveness against enemies protected by walls, dug into foxholes, or hidden in hard-to-reach places.

The XM25 provides the soldier with a 300 to 500% increase in hit probability to defeat point, area, and defilade targets out to 500 meters. The weapon features revolutionary high-explosive, air-burst ammunition programmed by the weapon's target acquisition/fire control system.

The XM25 integrates ballistics computation in the full-solution Target Acquisition/Fire Control (TA/FC) system. The soldier places the aim point on target and activates the laser rangefinder. The fire control system provides an adjusted aim point. The soldier places the adjusted aim point on target and pulls the trigger. Target information is communicated to the chambered 25mm round. As the round speeds down range, it measures the distance traveled and bursts precisely at the distance preprogrammed.


The XM25 precisely delivers air-bursting munitions in all conditions, including MOUT and complex terrain. It is five times more lethal at the M203 maximum range and continues to provide lethality well beyond the M203's maximum ability. The system is designed for optimum performance at 300 meters but will perform to 500 meters and beyond.

It includes five different types of ammunition:

- Thermobaric
- Flechette
- Training
- High Explosive Air Bursting
- Non-Lethal"

About the Author: David Crane is a military defense industry analyst and consultant, and the owner/editor-in-chief of DefenseReview.com. He can be contacted by phone at 305-389-1721, or via email at david@defensereview.com.

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

News release:

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/11/ ... test=faces" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[panthersix]

News release:

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/11/ ... test=faces" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's one mean looking weapon....

[Slowpoke]

I hope the HE airburst proves lethal. The video I saw showed lots of fragments peppering the ground, but if they aren't lethal it just pisses the enemy off. I've seen the fragments from a 40mm M-79 chew up an enemy pretty bad but not come close to killing him. The thought of a 25mm semi-auto fleshette firing shotgun sounds pretty cool though!

[mortar_guy78]

I hope the HE airburst proves lethal. The video I saw showed lots of fragments peppering the ground, but if they aren't lethal it just pisses the enemy off. I've seen the fragments from a 40mm M-79 chew up an enemy pretty bad but not come close to killing him. The thought of a 25mm semi-auto fleshette firing shotgun sounds pretty cool though!

That would be so badass.

[RangerX]

I love how an explosive 25mm projectile is being fired from a "rifle". Something of such heft & magnitude deserves to be called a launcher.

that said, it would be a lot of fun during duck season.

[Baseplate]

Guns are bad

[Slowpoke]

People are bad.....guns just are.