New test reveals how US Army's future 30mm grenade rifle hits drones and hidden enemies.

A new test of the U.S. Army's future grenade rifle prototype by Chris Cappy demonstrates its ability to strike drones and enemies behind cover with precision at squad level, signaling a major shift in infantry firepower and survivability. By combining airburst munitions with direct-fire accuracy out to 400 meters, the system gives small units an organic capability to defeat entrenched targets and low-flying drones without relying on external support.

The 30×42 mm semi-automatic weapon, jointly developed by Barrett and Mars Inc., integrates advanced fire control with programmable ammunition, enabling timed airburst detonations and proximity engagements against aerial threats. This multi-role capability reflects a broader move toward compact, precision-guided lethality that enhances squad autonomy, increases hit probability, and expands battlefield options against both concealed forces and emerging drone threats.

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Barrett-Mars Inc.'s new 30×42 mm grenade rifle will allow U.S. soldiers to accurately hit enemies hiding behind cover and shoot down nearby drones, with the help of programmable explosive rounds. (Picture source: Barrett)

On April 25, 2026, Chris Cappy tested a prototype of Barrett-Mars Inc.'s new 30×42 mm grenade rifle during a live-fire event, with engagements conducted between 300 m (984 ft) and 400 m (1,312 ft) and multiple munition types fired during the sequence. The weapon tested corresponds to the Squad Support Rifle System (SRSS) developed by MARS Inc. in partnership with Barrett following their selection on May 30, 2025, in the xTech Soldier Lethality competition. Also known as the U.S. Army Precision Grenadier System (PGS), the program objective is to replace legacy 40 mm grenade launchers such as the M203, M320, and M32 with a shoulder-fired, magazine-fed, semi-automatic system.

The PGS requirement explicitly targets the engagement of enemy personnel in defilade positions such as trenches, walls, and enclosed structures, as well as small unmanned aerial systems. The prototype demonstrated is an early-generation configuration, not yet representative of a finalized production model. The firing sequence included airburst programming, direct fire, and counter-drone scenarios within the PGS’s defined engagement envelope. The Precision Grenadier System (PGS) requirement emerged after the XM25 program was terminated in 2018, which had attempted to deliver a similar airburst capability but encountered issues related to weight, reliability, and cost.

The current requirement defines a soldier-portable, integrated system combining weapon, fire control, and ammunition into a single architecture. Engagement distances are clearly specified, with ranges from approximately 30 m (98 ft) to beyond 500 m (1,640 ft), to cover both close-quarters engagements and extended precision fire. Target categories include personnel behind cover, light materiel, and small drones operating at short range. The xTech Soldier Lethality competition, initiated in 2023, accelerated the PGS development by providing funding and evaluation phases for multiple industry participants, such as FN America and Northrop Grumman. Demonstrations conducted in early 2025 led to the selection of the Barrett/Mars system as the leading candidate.

The program is currently in a prototype evaluation phase with continued testing planned, and the projected fielding window is toward the end of the decade, depending on performance validation and procurement decisions. The Squad Support Rifle System (SRSS) consists of a semi-automatic grenade rifle chambered in 30×42 mm for medium-velocity ammunition, using a detachable five-round box magazine. The prototype measures about 35 inches (890 mm) in length with a 12-inch (305 mm) barrel and weighs approximately 15 lbs (6.8 kg) in its first-generation form, with a target weight reduction to about 11 lbs (5 kg) in later iterations. The operating mechanism is recoil-based, without a gas system, using a long recoil cycle in which the barrel travels approximately 9 inches (229 mm) during firing.

Recoil energy is managed through a pneumatic damping system that can be adjusted by the operator to control impulse. The internal operating pressure is about 8,000 PSI (55 MPa), lower than most rifle systems but consistent with the projectile mass and velocity. The absence of a gas system reduces mechanical complexity but places greater emphasis on recoil management. This configuration is also intended to allow controlled semi-automatic fire with repeated engagements. The fire control system (FCS) integrates the laser rangefinder, the ballistic computation module, and the fuse programming interface within a single optic unit. The engagement sequence begins with the operator designating a target using the laser, which provides range data to the ballistic computer.

The system then calculates the required fuse timing based on distance, projectile velocity, and firing angle. Programming occurs at the muzzle via an induction coil that sets the detonation timing as the round exits the barrel. For a target at 300 m (984 ft), the FCS programs a detonation at about 2.5 seconds of flight time, based on a muzzle velocity of about 680 ft/s (207 m/s). The total engagement cycle from target acquisition to impact is about 3 seconds. This reduces reliance on manual estimation and compensates for ballistic drop automatically. The system also enables consistent engagement of targets behind cover by controlling the detonation point. The integration of all these functions is central to achieving the required accuracy. 

Ammunition development includes five categories, each designed for specific target types and engagement conditions. Airburst high-explosive rounds are programmed to detonate at a defined distance, producing a lateral and rearward fragmentation pattern intended to clear trench lines and enclosed spaces. Proximity-fused rounds use a sensor, likely based on radio frequency detection, to detonate within about 5 m (16 ft) of an aerial target. A counter-drone kinetic round deploys approximately five blades that expand to a diameter of about 6 inches (152 mm) after launch, increasing the probability of impact within a range of 0 to 150 m (0 to 492 ft). The close-quarters round contains about 42 pellets, compared to 8 to 15 pellets in standard 12-gauge buckshot, and is effective at distances up to 35 m (115 ft).

Anti-armor concepts include shaped charge and tungsten penetrator designs intended to defeat light armored vehicles. Each round weighs about 155 grams (5.5 oz), allowing a typical combat load of about 50 rounds per operator. Therefore, this ammunition design emphasizes a multi-role capability within a single weapon system. Ballistic characteristics include a muzzle velocity of about 680 ft/s (207 m/s), resulting in a flatter trajectory than legacy 40 mm low-velocity systems. Effective range for point targets extends to about 500 m (1,640 ft), with testing demonstrating consistent engagement at distances between 300 m (984 ft) and 400 m (1,312 ft).

Accuracy is reported at about 2 MOA (Minute Of Angle, a unit used to measure accuracy and dispersion in shooting) at 100 m (328 ft), corresponding to a grouping of about 2 inches (51 mm), while observed testing shows groupings of about 1 m (3.3 ft) at 300 m (984 ft). The lethal radius of airburst munitions is about 5 m (16 ft) under nominal conditions. The semi-automatic mechanism supports a rate of fire of about 30 rounds per minute, allowing multiple engagements in short timeframes. In comparison, legacy systems such as the M203 and M320 exhibit dispersion of about 4 m (13 ft) by 2 m (6.6 ft) at 150 m (492 ft) and rely on indirect fire trajectories.

The flatter trajectory of the 30 mm system reduces the need for elevation adjustments and improves hit probability, thus increasing effectiveness against both exposed and covered targets. Counter-UAS capability is integrated through both proximity-fused and kinetic munitions, addressing small drone threats at short range. The proximity-fused round detonates when within about 5 m (16 ft) of a drone, using a sensor likely based on radio frequency detection. The kinetic round deploys blades to increase its effective cross-section to about 6 inches (152 mm), improving the likelihood of impact against small, fast-moving targets.

Engagement ranges for these munitions are defined up to 150 m (492 ft), focusing on close-range defense. This approach addresses limitations of small arms fire, which require direct hits on critical components. The PGS enables infantry units to engage drones without reliance on external air defense systems, drone interceptors, or shotguns. This capability is intended to be organic to the squad level, which reflects both the increasing prevalence of drones in operational environments and the general higher-echelon support for counter-UAS tasks. At the squad level, the Precision Grenadier System (PGS) is expected to be issued at a rate of two weapons per infantry squad, typically one per fireteam.

The weapon replaces the grenadier role currently equipped with an M4 carbine and an underbarrel launcher such as the M320. The PGS is intended to serve as the primary weapon for the operator, without a secondary rifle, which changes the distribution of weapons within the unit. This results in about 20 percent of platoon weapons being grenade rifles. The increased availability of precision explosive firepower enhances the squad’s ability to engage targets behind cover and at extended range, but also reduces the unit's reliance on indirect fire systems such as mortars or external air support.

The PGS concept also supports operations in environments where external support may be limited or delayed, but this shift requires several adjustments in tactics, training, and logistics at lower echelons. For now, the Barrett-Mars PGS system remains in an early development phase, with ongoing testing focused on reliability, durability, and safety under operational conditions. Evaluation includes exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variation, moisture, and salt fog, as well as mechanical stress from drops and repeated firing cycles. Previous issues encountered with the XM25 program, including excessive weight, reliability problems, and a unit cost of about $100,000, have also influenced current design priorities.

The new system targets a unit cost of about $50,000 and uses a more conventional configuration to improve handling and acceptance. Multiple industry competitors continue to develop alternative systems in 25 mm, 30 mm, and 40 mm calibers, maintaining competitive pressure. The development cycle includes about 14 months for prototype creation followed by a six-month Army testing phase. The program aims to reduce technical risk while meeting performance requirements. A potential fielding timeline is projected for about 2029, subject to successful testing and procurement decisions.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.