Colt & Northrop Unleash U.S. Army’s Next-Gen Grenade Launcher to Replace M203 and M320.

On May 13, 2025, Colt and Northrop Grumman unveiled their Precision Grenade Launcher during a live-fire demonstration, developed under the U.S. Army’s Precision Grenadier System (PGS) program. The PGS is a U.S. Army initiative aimed at developing a portable weapon system capable of engaging targets at ranges between 500 and 1,000 meters. It is designed to replace the existing M203 and M320 grenade launchers and serve as a versatile, multirole system effective against both ground targets and aerial threats such as drones.
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The Colt & Northrop Grumman Precision Grenade Launcher, first seen in action through Northrop Grumman's publicized test video, is a compact, shoulder-fired system weighing under 15 pounds, equipped with a 14–15-inch barrel and fed by a five-round magazine (Picture Source: Northrop Grumman)

The PGS (Precision Grenadier System ) is also intended to be a more accurate and precise system than the XM-25, which was canceled due to cost overruns. This 25mm semi-automatic system with programmable airburst munitions addresses critical gaps in engaging threats behind cover and small drones, offering dismounted troops enhanced lethality and tactical flexibility in modern combat environments.

The Colt & Northrop Grumman Precision Grenade Launcher, first seen in action through Northrop Grumman's publicized test video, is a compact, shoulder-fired system weighing under 15 pounds, equipped with a 14–15-inch barrel and fed by a five-round magazine. Unlike legacy 40mm systems, this 25mm launcher is designed for high-velocity engagement on flatter trajectories, improving accuracy and reducing time-of-flight. Its defining feature is the integration of advanced optics, such as the Vortex XM157, which interface with a family of programmable munitions. These munitions, developed solely by Northrop Grumman, include High-Explosive Air Burst (HEAB), Close Quarters Battle (CQB), Training (TP), and Proximity (PROX) types. These rounds are engineered for detonation over or near concealed targets or aerial threats such as Group 1 and 2 UAVs, bringing precision and flexibility to squad-level operations.

The development of this system traces back to lessons learned from the now-defunct XM25 “Punisher,” which was part of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon program in the 2000s. The XM25 faced challenges related to weight, bulk, and ammunition cost, which led to its cancellation in 2018. Learning from those limitations, the Colt-Northrop system was redesigned to meet updated Army criteria: a total system weight under 14.5 pounds, a maximum length under 34 inches, and an effective range of 500 meters. Colt has focused on weapon engineering, while Northrop Grumman leads integration and ammunition development. The launcher and its munitions were recently shown at Modern Day Marine 2024, confirming its place in ongoing prototype evaluations.

Compared to similar modern grenade launcher systems such as the South African Neopup PAW-20, Chinese QTS-11, and Ukrainian RGSh-30, the Colt & Northrop Grumman model distinguishes itself through the use of programmable airburst munitions and multi-role engagement capabilities. Unlike the QTS-11, which integrates a lower-caliber launcher with a rifle, or the PAW-20, which lacks guided ammunition, the PGS offers superior lethality, precision, and modular optics integration. In contrast to the canceled XM25, this system promises to meet mobility and cost-efficiency expectations, aided by modular smart optics that are already being adopted across the U.S. military.

Strategically, the system enhances the lethality and survivability of U.S. infantry squads in urban, jungle, and desert environments, where line-of-sight is often obscured and threats emerge from protected positions. Its ability to defeat cover and neutralize drones aligns with evolving U.S. military doctrines emphasizing distributed operations and counter-UAS resilience. The integration of such a system could rebalance infantry firepower in a landscape where drone swarms and hybrid warfare increasingly erode traditional dominance. In geopolitical terms, the weapon strengthens U.S. deterrence by enabling small units to fight with precision previously reserved for larger platforms or coordinated airstrikes.

From a budgetary perspective, the Precision Grenadier System remains in a pre-contractual phase, with multiple designs under consideration including the Barrett SSRS and FN America’s PGS-001. As of early 2025, no production contract has been awarded, though both the Colt-Northrop system and its competitors participated in the U.S. Army’s xTechSoldier Lethality Challenge. The current effort is classified as a Prototype Project Opportunity, intended to reduce risk ahead of a formal program of record. Nevertheless, the continued visibility of the system in demonstrations and expositions indicates strong Army interest and suggests that acquisition pathways are being actively pursued.

The Colt & Northrop Grumman Precision Grenade Launcher emerges as a serious candidate to redefine squad-level firepower in the 21st century. Marrying programmable 25mm ammunition with advanced targeting optics and a lightweight, soldier-portable platform, the system directly addresses tactical challenges posed by defilade cover and the growing drone threat. Unlike its ill-fated predecessors, it appears designed with realistic weight, range, and integration goals. As the U.S. Army seeks new tools to dominate in multi-domain operations, this weapon could become a cornerstone of future infantry arsenals, provided it secures the necessary contracts and proves its value in extended field trials. In a strategic environment where precision, adaptability, and modularity define battlefield success, the Colt & Northrop Grumman launcher represents not just a technological step forward, but a shift in how infantry lethality is conceptualized and delivered.