XM25 semi-automatic grenade launcher

ATK presented the new self-loading hand-held grenade launcher XM-2014, which was designed for the US armed forces, during the Paris exhibition Eurosatory-25, the website reports http://www.all4shooters.com.

Creation experiments weapons This type of company began ten years ago. But even the middle of 2000-x can not be considered the beginning stories the development of such weapons, as there were earlier versions. These are assault rifles for infantrymen. A semi-automatic grenade launcher was attached to these assault rifles. To be more precise, the grenade launcher was not just attached, but was built into the small arms system. The weapon was equipped with an OICW sighting module. However, experts did not see a large potential in such weapons, considering it not only expensive and cumbersome, but also quite difficult to maintain.

In 2005, the development of a new XM8 LAR assault rifle was frozen, but the company began to develop a project of a grenade launcher with an electronic sighting system. Such a grenade launcher will allow you to strike at the enemy, who is behind temporary shelters. For use in the operation in Afghanistan such a grenade launcher was considered very appropriate.

Not only ATK, but also Heckler & Koch's together with L3 IOS had a hand in the development of the new grenade launcher. The company, indicated by the latter, developed a fire control system and a target designation segment. The system has been renamed many times over the years. The last option before the name approved today was the "Individual Airburst Weapon System" - IAWS, replacing the previous CDTE.

Developers approved the name XM-25 Individual Semi-Automatic Airburst weapon System or XM-25 ISAAS.



The development of the system continued even after the American parliamentarians decided to cut funding for military development, worrying about reducing the growth rate of the huge US public debt.

In Afghanistan, prototypes of such weapons were used. The XM-25 ISAAS was mainly operated by the 75 Ranger Regiment and 101 Airborne Division. At the beginning of this year, the program was transferred to LRIP mode, which corresponds to the initial stage of production.

The XM-25 ISAAS is a semi-automatic grenade launcher that has a bullpup layout. The grenade launcher is powered by an 25-mm grenade with an 40-mm sleeve. A removable magazine can be “loaded” with four ammunition.



The aiming and fire control systems TA / FCS have an optical sight with double magnification, as well as a thermal sight. The system includes a laser range finder, a ballistic computer, and even a special electronic compass that calculates drift angles and heights. The weapon, among other things, is equipped with a series of sensors and a display.

The grenade, which is used in the semi-automatic XM25, has a special chip. With the help of this chip, the ammunition can be adjusted both at the target range and for the time after which the grenade will be put into action (before the direct hit at the target). The task of such parameters is carried out by means of the buttons with which the trigger is equipped.

XM25 is very effective in dealing with a lightly armed opponent hiding behind an obstacle. American soldiers called this type of grenade launcher "punitive." The name is in the spirit of the American democratizers.



Semi-automatic XM25 has a firing range that exceeds the range of M203 or M320. In addition, its accuracy is superior to many other grenade launchers used in the modern US Army. The 25x40mm grenade does not have the power that the 40x46mm-SR has, but it is precisely the accuracy and flight range that allow specialists to highly appreciate the XM25 weapon.

The developers of ATK today are engaged in the fact that they are going to create a complex using five different types of ammunition: from training (non-lethal) to anti-aircraft, high-explosive and thermobaric.