Exclusive Report: What Is Barrett 30mm Grenade Rifle Replacing M320 40mm grenade launcher in US Army Service?.

The Army Recognition editorial team analyzes the U.S. Army’s ongoing transition from legacy squad-level 40mm grenade launchers, the M320, to the advanced Barrett 30mm grenade rifle system. This modernization reflects a broader evolution in infantry firepower aimed at providing soldiers with precision, versatility, and expanded lethality on the modern battlefield. To understand the significance of the Barrett 30mm rifle, it is essential to examine the capabilities and limitations of both the M320 40mm grenade launcher and the now-cancelled XM25 airburst weapon system.
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The Barrett 30mm grenade rifle is the next generation replacement for the U.S. Army M320 40mm grenade launcher. (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

The M320, developed by Heckler & Koch and adopted by the U.S. Army in 2009, is a single-shot, breech-loaded grenade launcher chambered for 40×46mm low-velocity grenades. It replaced the venerable M203 and was designed with modularity in mind. The M320 can be used as a standalone launcher with a folding stock and pistol grip or mounted under the barrel of standard-issue rifles such as the M4. Its maximum effective range is 150 meters against point targets and up to 350 meters for area targets. It features a double-action trigger, an ambidextrous safety, and a side-opening breech that allows for easier loading of longer rounds such as illumination or non-lethal grenades.

In combat, the M320 has proven to be a flexible tool, ideal for short-range engagements, suppression, and indirect fire support. However, its effectiveness is limited by its single-shot configuration, slow rate of fire, arcing trajectory, and manual sighting. It lacks onboard fire control, cannot engage enemies behind hard cover with precision, and is not designed for modern threats such as drone swarms or moving urban targets. In today’s rapidly evolving battlespace, these limitations have become more pronounced, especially when adversaries use terrain and fortifications to their advantage.

The new Barrett 30mm grenade rifle, also referred to as the Squad Support Weapon 30 (SSW30), introduces a completely new class of infantry weapon. It is a semi-automatic, magazine-fed launcher firing high-velocity 30mm grenades capable of being programmed for airburst, point-detonation, or delay detonation. The system has been developed in partnership with MARS Inc. as part of the U.S. Army’s Precision Grenadier System (PGS) initiative, and it is optimized to deliver precise, lethal effects out to and beyond 500 meters. The platform includes an integrated smart fire control unit, likely the XM157 Vortex sight also used on the XM7 rifle, which features a laser rangefinder, ballistic computer, environmental sensors, and advanced optics for rapid, first-round hits.

Compared to the M320, the Barrett system offers several transformative advantages. First, its semi-automatic operation drastically increases the rate of fire, allowing soldiers to deliver multiple grenades in quick succession. Second, its flat trajectory and high-velocity rounds minimize time-of-flight, enabling faster engagements with less target lead. Third, the smart fire control system eliminates guesswork, enabling accurate engagements of defilade targets and drones with programmable airburst munitions. Finally, its magazine-fed design supports sustained operations and better fire superiority during firefights.

When contrasted with the XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System, the Barrett 30mm rifle shows clear evolutionary improvements. The XM25, which was based on a 25mm high-explosive airburst concept, featured a five-round magazine, advanced optics, and a laser-guided fire control system. It was combat-tested in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013 and showed exceptional ability to defeat enemies hiding behind walls or in bunkers. However, the XM25 was bulky, weighing over 14 pounds loaded, and was carried as a primary weapon—forcing soldiers to forego their standard rifles. Additionally, the limited lethality of the 25mm round, battery reliability issues, and cost overruns eventually led to the program’s cancellation in 2018.

The Barrett 30mm system avoids these pitfalls by delivering greater destructive power per round, a lighter and more compact design, and compatibility with squad-level tactics. It enhances rather than replaces the soldier’s combat flexibility. While the XM25 offered innovation, it was often impractical for real-world deployment. In contrast, the Barrett 30mm appears to be a well-integrated and operationally feasible leap forward in the same technological lineage.

The U.S. Army’s move toward adopting the Barrett 30mm grenade rifle marks a decisive departure from older, manually operated systems like the M320 and represents a matured and combat-adaptable successor to the failed XM25 concept. With a focus on lethality, speed, and precision across a broad range of targets—including infantry under cover and emerging aerial threats—this new system aligns with the Army’s modernization priorities and could redefine the role of the grenadier in future infantry engagements.