XM25: A Weapons Game Changer?

Designed by Alliant Techsystems for seven years, the first prototypes of the XM25 were recently delivered to U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The XM25, which weighs 12 pounds and costs as much as $35,000, allows soldiers to shoot precisely programmed mini-grenades that explode over targets hiding behind obstacles.

The introduction of the XM25 has been accompanied by no small amount of excitement (not to mention,understandable hype.) Lt. Col. Chris Lehner, the U.S. Army's Product Manager Individual Weapons, likened the XM25 to weapons introductions that had revolutionary impact on the battlefield, such as the tank or machine gun. "No longer will our soldiers have to expose themselves by firing and maneuvering to eliminate an enemy behind cover. Our soldiers can remain covered/protected and use their XM25 to neutralize an enemy in his covered position. This will significantly reduce the risk of U.S. casualties and change the way we fight." If, indeed, that turns out to be the case, the XM25 could provide U.S. troops fighting in Afghanistan with a significant new field advantage.

The weapon includes a day and night sight as well as a handheld laser rangefinder. You can find a full spec sheet here.

Pointing the laser finder at a target, the system calculates the firing distance and the infantryman can adjust the distance to account for the presence of a wall or bunker. The Target Acquisition Fire Control unit instructs the fired round when to detonate making use of a microchip embedded into each XM-25 shell.

If the XM25 works as advertised, "it's potentially a game changer/combat paradigm shifter and welcome addition to the U.S. military infantry combat weapons buffet," according to an early assessment by DefenseReview.com.

The hyperbole surrounding any fancy new weapon - especially one that leverages the latest in high-tech - often gives purple a new shade of color. But the reason why proponents describe the XM25 as a "game changer" has to with its revolutionary ability to let the firer program in coordinates that will result in a projectile taking out a target hiding behind cover. Instead of calling in an air strike or firing heavy artillery, the military believes the XM25's "light footprint" will improve the effectiveness of forces by reducing the risk of civilian casualties.

The XM25 was developed as a successor weapon to the M203, which fires a a 40mm grenade from a barrel attached to an M-16 rifle. It's designed to function as an independent weapon even though it's attached to the rifle. (The M203A1 grenade launcher is a single-shot weapon designed for use with the M4 series carbine and also fires a 40mm grenade.)In the hands of a marksman, the M203 can be an effective grenade launcher but technology takes a back seat to talent: it all depends on the skill of the person who is pulling the trigger.