Defense Technology News - United States |
| |
Tuesday
, 30 November 2010, 11:32 AM |
|
|
| |
XM25
rifle Individual Airburst Weapon Systems 25 mm equips US
soldiers in Afghanistan.
|
| |
|
| |
US
Army troops deployed in Afghanistan have reportedly been
supplied with brand new, hi-tech and long-range rifles.
Nine years after the US Army deployment in Afghanistan began,
soldiers apparently now have use of XM25 Individual Airburst
Weapon Systems.
|
|
XM25 Individual Airburst Weapon Systems rifle grenade
launcher 25 mm
|
|
These
weapon systems can penetrate solid surfaces, like walls,
in order to reach concealed targets, but do not explode
until target-contact is made.
This
function is achieved through the use of communications
technology within the design: the projectile incorporates
a microchip which records the distance travelled by the
round – a distance that’s programme-in before
firing.
|
|
XM25 Individual Airburst Weapon Systems rifle grenade launcher
25 mm |
|
XM25
in Afghanistan
Now, as of November 2010, the XM25 is
said to be in active service in Afghanistan, based on information
published by various media sources. One, Fox News, published
comments attributed to US Army PEO-Soldier (Program Executive
Officer Soldier) representative, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher
Lehner, who suggested that the advent of the XM25 could
prompt brand new battlefield tactics.
”With
this weapon system, we take away cover from [enemy targets]
forever”, he was quoted as having said. “Tactics
are going to have to be rewritten. The only thing we can
see [enemy forces] being able to do is run away.”
Lehner
added: “This is revolutionary for many reasons. We
feel it's very important to field this because it keeps
us ahead of the technological curve of our potential enemies.
We have a feeling other people will try to copy us - this
is the future.” |
|
|
