MINNEAPOLIS, 29 March 2011. ATK won a $65.8 million engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract from the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier for its XM25, Individual Semi-Automatic Airburst System. The weapon's target acquisition and fire control integrates a thermal capability with direct-view optics, laser rangefinder, compass, fuze-setter, ballistic computer, laser pointer, and illuminator.
The 30-month contract calls for the continuing design, integration, production, and testing of systems to ensure the weapon's final design meets performance requirements and is production-ready prior to fielding.
For day, night, and all-weather conditions, the XM25 consists of a rifle that fires a 25-millimeter airbursting round programmed by the weapon's integrated target acquisition and fire control system to detonate directly above an intended target. The system displays an adjusted aim point based on range, environmental factors, and user inputs.
"The XM25 provides the soldier on the ground a precision weapon to quickly and accurately engage targets behind cover or exposed targets, at ranges and accuracies not seen in today's small arms," says Bruce DeWitt, vice president and general manager of ATK's Advanced Weapons Division. "A soldier using basic rifle marksmanship skills can effectively engage targets in less than five seconds while also reducing the chances for collateral damage."
The Army is currently conducting a forward operational assessment, which began in Nov. 2010, with XM25 prototype weapons deployed to Afghanistan. The Army's Project Manager Soldier Weapons conducted new equipment training with select units and is monitoring the XM25's use and performance. The weapons are actively carried on patrols and in various combat outposts in areas that are experiencing high levels of enemy activity. Soldier feedback from this assessment will assist future decisions regarding budget, tactics, basis of issue, and improvements soldiers want to see in the weapon's fielded version.
ATK is the prime contractor and systems integrator for the XM25 program. Program management is headquartered at ATK's Advanced Weapons Division in Plymouth, Minn. Program partners include Heckler & Koch in Sterling, Va., and L-3 Brashear in Pittsburgh, Pa.
