Barrett Unveils New SSRS 30mm Automatic Grenade Launcher for US Army’s PGS Program.

Barrett Firearms, a renowned American manufacturer of sniper rifles, has unveiled its latest innovation: a 30mm semi-automatic grenade launcher for the U.S. Army's Precision Grenadier System (PGS) Program. The new Squad Support Rifle System (SSRS), designed in collaboration with the tech start-up MARS Inc., is set to revolutionize the battlefield with its advanced capabilities and cutting-edge design. This marks a significant step forward in the evolution of soldier lethality systems.
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Barrett unveils its cutting-edge 30mm automatic grenade launcher at AUSA 2024, showcasing advanced firepower and counter-defilade capabilities for the U.S. Army’s Precision Grenadier System (PGS) Program. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

MARS Inc., a finalist in the U.S. Army's xTech Soldier Lethality competition, brings its technological expertise to the table, complementing Barrett’s established experience in weaponry. The strategic partnership aims to produce a next-generation 30mm support rifle that enhances soldiers' effectiveness in diverse combat scenarios.

The U.S. Army's Precision Grenadier System (PGS) is designed to enhance infantry effectiveness by replacing older, single-shot grenade launchers like the M320 with a more advanced system. The PGS is a semi-automatic, magazine-fed weapon that provides soldiers with greater precision and firepower. It is intended to engage targets from as close as 35 meters to beyond 500 meters, including enemies hiding behind cover, which the current systems struggle with. The PGS aims to offer a flat trajectory for faster and more accurate engagements, reducing the flight time for rounds at longer distances.

Additionally, the PGS will include a sophisticated fire-control system capable of programming rounds and a family of ammunition for different tactical situations. This could include rounds for counter-defilade, close-quarters combat, and even armor-piercing or anti-drone munitions (Counter-UAS). The program has reached its later stages, with several companies, such as FN America and Plumb Precision Products, submitting designs for evaluation. The Army is expected to select a final candidate by 2025, after successful technology demonstrations.

Key to the Barrett SSRS’s design is its user-friendly, assault-rifle-based structure. The weapon features a butt stock at the rear, an five rounds ammunition magazine in the center, and a barrel length of 305mm. The grenade launcher is compact and versatile with an overall length of 861mm and weighing just 6.3kg. It can fire various ammunition, including airburst rounds, giving soldiers a crucial advantage on the battlefield.

The weapon is also equipped with the Vortex Optics XM-157 sight, similar to the sight mounted on the U.S. Army's XM7 6.8mm assault rifle. This optical enhancement further strengthens the SSRS’s ability to provide precision in combat, aligning with the U.S. Army's modernization goals.

As Barrett leads a team of industry-leading partners, this next-generation grenade launcher is set to be a key component of the U.S. Army’s future soldier lethality systems, combining firepower, precision, and safety for the modern battlefield.