ATK receives XM25 airburst system contract
ATK announced on 12 September that it has received an engineering and manufacturing development contract modification from the US Army's Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier for its XM25, Individual Semi-Automatic Airburst System. The $16.8 million contract funds the continuing design, integration, production and testing of fully functional systems to ensure the weapon's final design meets performance requirements and is production-ready prior to fielding.
The XM25 is a rifle that fires a 25mm airbursting round programmed by the weapon's integrated target acquisition and fire control system to burst directly above a designated target. The system allows soldiers to quickly and accurately engage targets by producing an adjusted aimpoint based on range, environmental factors, and user inputs.
Early XM25 prototype weapons were deployed in Afghanistan from November 2010 through May 2012 by the army for Forward Operational Assessments (FOA). During these assessments soldiers actively employed the weapon on patrols in areas experiencing high levels of enemy activity. Soldier feedback validated that the XM25 provides ‘a unique combat advantage’.
Furthermore, the FOA provided information that will inform decisions regarding tactics, training, basis of issue, and system improvements prior to the weapon's fielding. ATK – the prime contractor, systems integrator and ammunition provider for the XM25 programme - will be supporting another army XM25 FOA scheduled for 2013 with a 36-gun battalion set of new pre-production prototypes.
Bruce DeWitt, vice president and general manager of ATK's Armament Systems Division, said: ‘The XM25 has been battle-proven by our soldiers during US Army operational assessments conducted in Afghanistan. We are very pleased with this system's performance and the overmatch capability it delivers to our warfighters. We are focused on quickly making this weapon ready for production.’
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Australia invests $1.4 billion in additional AMRAAM buy]()
Australia invests $1.4 billion in additional AMRAAM buy
Some of the missiles ordered can be used on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and the F35-A Lightning.
-
![Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline]()
Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline
Combat losses of support and logistics vehicles in recent conflicts have highlighted the need for greater protection and even self-defence capabilities. What options are available to turn a basic truck into a survivor on the battlefield?
-
![German Army to receive third-generation Dingo protected patrol vehicles this year]()
German Army to receive third-generation Dingo protected patrol vehicles this year
More than 1,200 Dingo 1 and Dingo 2 models have been built and deployed by some 10 countries. The latest Dingo 3 pulls through from user inputs and, like earlier versions, is also based on a UNIMOG chassis.
-
![Hungary’s Gamma Technical expands vehicle range]()
Hungary’s Gamma Technical expands vehicle range
The company’s new variants of 4×6 and 6×6 vehicles are designed to be modular for a greater variety of missions and also flexibility at a subsystem level, for example transmission and engine.
-
![US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities]()
US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities
The branch plans to speed up the building and procurement of kinetic and non-kinetic systems for fixed, semi-fixed and on-the-move operations.
-
![Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role]()
Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role
Wheeled vehicles ranging in size from 4×4 to 8×8 provide high-speed at a good level of mobility compared to tracked. However, tracked can be larger and have a higher level of mobility in marginal terrain with a smaller turning circle. What are the possibilities for a 10×10?
