Soldiers Can Set When Grenade Explodes With New Launcher. What's Your Take?

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:15:38 -0400

According to XM25 maker Orbital ATK spokesman Jarrod Krull, in spring the Army will conduct qualification testing and contract validation. If the weapon fulfills the Army's requirements, the Army could see fielding in early 2017, Krull said — assuming budget decisions also line up in the weapon system's favor. “It provides combat overmatch; the ability to engage the target in defilade (shielded)," Krull said. When a soldier aims the weapon at a target, a laser finder gauges distance. The soldier can add or subtract from that distance with the push of a button and then, after setting the distance, can aim and fire. The fire control also shows a soldier how high to aim the weapon to account for gravity's pull on the grenade based on the laser-determined distance. The company says the range is 500 meters to a target point, and 600 meters to an area target.

The weapon itself, made by Heckler & Koch, consists of lightweight material composites. Brashear made the fire control and Orbital ATK produced the munitions and integrated the system.
The Army is also testing a Small Arms Grenade Munition round, a 40mm round that can be used with current M203 and M320 grenade launchers. That round itself can detect a wall it passes and explode shortly after. The Army has said SAGM was meant to compliment, not replace, the program to develop the XM25; it sees potential uses for both.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/show-daily/ausa/2015/10/12/soldiers-can-set-when-grenade-explodes-with-new-xm25-launcher/73833074/

Soldiers Can Set When Grenade Explodes With New Launcher

The maker of a new grenade launcher that can fire rounds that explode when they pass walls or barriers is "finalizing development" of a weapon it believes will give soldiers a serious edge.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Oct 12 at 2015 9:17 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:17:49 -0400

Outstanding weapon...hope it passes muster!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 9:19 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:19:22 -0400

Amazing weapon.....

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 12 at 2015 9:20 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:20:08 -0400

Not such a bad idea if it allows them to separate themselves from the threat.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Oct 12 at 2015 9:20 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:20:46 -0400

Let me go a little deeper, it's obvious this weapon has promise or it would not have made it this far.
1. There is a need for this type of weapon system

2. We can keep the technological advance from the enemies of America

3. Lastly I want one!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 12 at 2015 9:23 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:23:46 -0400

If it saves our knuckle draggers, mass produce them. We take away all the great CAS, the least we can do is give them a 203 that can ring the doorbell, wipe it's feet on the mat, wait till Mr Poopey Face answers, and then go boom. Wabbit Season! Enjoy the video.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=firing+the+xm25&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=37F81FB4F3AA238900DB37F81FB4F3AA238900DB

firing the xm25 - Bing video

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Oct 12 at 2015 9:32 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:32:57 -0400

An interesting device.

Having designed an electronic attachment for the AR-15 I have an idea what electronics performance and resistance to stress is likely to be required.

This sucker won't be cheap.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Oct 12 at 2015 9:45 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:45:35 -0400

I really don't know much about combat, as I've never seen it; however, Anything that gives my Brothers and Sisters an Edge-when They are engaged in combat: I am ABSOLUTELY in FAVOR of.
May GOD be with each and everyone of you.
-With My Love in Him, Margaret

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Oct 12 at 2015 9:47 PM

Capt Walter Miller — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:47:07 -0400

i'd rather have an M-14.

Walt

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Oct 12 at 2015 10:38 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 22:38:22 -0400

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Great post,SFC.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 10:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 22:43:31 -0400

I've been following this weapon for quite awhile, looks like a great idea.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Oct 12 at 2015 11:01 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 23:01:17 -0400

WOW! Technology just keeps getting better and better.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 13 at 2015 12:47 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 00:47:24 -0400

This will be a game changer.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Oct 13 at 2015 2:24 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 02:24:14 -0400

I am thinking that I may NEED one. LOL
This is one of those weapons, that if successfully made operational, I would really like to only see be sold to OUR military. Sadly, that will never happen.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Oct 13 at 2015 8:31 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 08:31:23 -0400

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Simply awesome. Would like the opportunity to test fire this one!

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 8:49 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 08:49:54 -0400

Cool, now they become smaller!!!! I followed this tech for a long time!!! when they first release this kind of news, the weapon system is heavy and huge ...need two man to carry it around. Now they refined it to the level of any other small arms ... This will completely change urban warfare down to the bone.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Oct 13 at 2015 1:08 PM

Cpl Dennis F. — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 13:08:56 -0400

I had put one of these into one of my books about 4 years ago, having followed and been impressed with the prototypes. I added thermal imaging to my fictional XM25 for even more combat multiplier. If any other than HK produced this, I would wonder about its (micro-electronics) ability to survive the environment. I guess we'll see.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 13 at 2015 2:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 14:59:59 -0400

Sounds like potentially a lethal weapon.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Oct 14 at 2015 6:46 PM

Cpl James Waycasie — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 18:46:26 -0400

I want one, lol

Response by SGT Rick Ash made Oct 15 at 2015 12:46 PM

SGT Rick Ash — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:46:41 -0400

Awesome idea! Set them to explode overhead of enemy positions and rain hell on them. Great technology....