XM25 CDTE

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Should the XM-25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement (CDTE) System replace the M203

Grenade Launcher?

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26rd December, 2012

1

INTRODUCTION

After the spectacular success, efficiency and popularity of the XM-25 Counter Defilade

Target Engagement (CDTE) System in Afghanistan since May 2010, the United States Army has

scheduled for the first ever programmable grenade launcher to replace the M203 grenade

launcher. The deployment of the XM – 25 CDTE in Afghanistan has given an edge to the US

soldiers since their enemies now have no place to hide more so in urban combat regions. The

Alliant Technsystem’s XM 25 CDTE has programmable ammunition that uses a laser range

finder to calculate the distance to the barrier before detonation5.

Also known as The Punisher, the XM 25 CDTE is a semiautomatic shoulder fired gun

which uses 25mm micro-chipped rounds to measure the their current oscillations deriving how

far each round has travelled. The ammunitions are also equipped with a small magnet inside to

enable it to generate AC current as they spin before they explode mid-air. This feature enables

the XM 25 CDTE to fire air-bursting shells up to 2,300 feet targeting enemies over walls, at

building corners and in trenches raining shrapnel upon them.

The following are M203 grenade launcher facts in comparison to the XM 25 CDTE and

reasons why many people will consider replacing M203 with XM 25 CDTE.

One of the main reasons why anyone would consider replacing M203 grenade

launcher with an XM 25 CDTE is the because XM 25 fires smart rounds which explode over the

enemies heads behind any sort of cover. This significantly shortened combat encounters with

enemies to minutes because it is semiautomatic and utilized ammunition efficiently even in the

1. Colt Firearms2. DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System 3. Marines.com4. Popular Science | New Technology, Science News, The Future Now5. CBS News "XM25 "Game Changer" Weapon Now Killing Enemies Behind Walls in Afghanistan

dark. So the military ends up using a few rounds of ammunition unlike the M203 which grenade

launcher which does not have a day and night sight on rendering it useless in today’s world. The

M203 also lacks the infrared aiming laser which enables the grenadier to actually attach the

weapon system with the night vision goggles. This only leaves the grenadier with limited options

taking up a lot more time and ammunition during combat.

The XM 25 CDTE features a unique but efficient target acquisition system which

calculates the range of the target with the push of a button. The collected information is then

transferred electronically to the inbuilt fuse in the 25mm projectile exploding and peppering

shrapnel directly 600m above the target when fired. This feature is also enhanced by the fact that

the rounds are fitted with magnets which generate alternating current (AC) when they spin.

Coupled with the microprocessor, the rounds are able to travel up to 2,500 feet unlike the 40mm

grenades of the M203 which only have a range of 492 feet.

The M203 grenadier’s operations are a little more complex than those of the XM 25

CDTE operator. The colt M203 grenade launcher operations include loading, unloading, aiming

(which is very strenuous unless the operator is familiar with the arching pattern the projectile

travels in) and firing. These in comparison to XM 25 CDTE operations are slightly cumbersome

and one only needs five minutes of instruction to operate it and even better a soldier can become

proficient within minutes.

The XM 25 CDTE is 300 percent effective at incapacitating the enemy/target when

compared M203 grenade launcher. This is because the rounds of XM 25 are made using smart


technology and are more target-oriented than the 40mm grenades of the M203 with are more

focused on wide damage radius area.

Currently the 40mm ammunition for the M203 is very scarce and slightly expensive in

comparison to the 25mm XM 25 CDTE prototype. According to DailyTech, the forecasted price

of the 25mm smart technology rounds of the XM 25 semiautomatic gun is $24. This price

however is not the current price of the handmade grenades which so far cost $1000.

The XM 25 is a rotating bolt gas operated semiautomatic weapon which is designed to

use a bull-pup layout located in its buttstock. Housed with an impact-resistant polymer and

equipped with well positioned ambidextrous controls, XM 25 allows the operator to fire from

either shoulder without any sought of discomfort whatsoever. Unlike the M203 which required

the operator to firmly press the barrel latch and slide the barrel forward each time to load the

weapon the XM 25 is equipped with a magazine that houses the ammunition.

Conclusion

The XM 25 CDTE offers a huge advantage to the United States army and any other unit

that has access to this weapon both tactically and target elimination efficiency. However, the XM

25 CDTE is excessively heavy weighing up to 12 pounds. This means the grenadier will have to

either carry both the XM 25 grenade launcher and an M4 or leave the M4 behind and carry the

XM 25. But in either way the grenadier will not be able to support him/herself during a firefight.

Talks have commenced to remodel the backbone of the XM 25 grenade launcher using carbon


fiber material. This will significantly lower the weight of the XM 25 but there is no tangible

prove that this is even remotely possible.

The cost of the XM 25 is also a worry to the US army. One Alliant Techsystem XM 25

CDTE gun costs approximately $35,000. This is because all the XM 25 guns available are

prototypes and they are manmade. Cost however will reduce significantly once mass production

of the riffle commences.


Bibliography

"Colt M203 40mm Grenade Launcher." Colt Firearms > Home.

http://www.colt.com/ColtMilitary/Products/ColtM20340mmGrenadeLauncher.aspx

(accessed December 23, 2012).

"DVIDS - News - Grenade launcher." DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.

http://www.dvidshub.net/news/83675/grenade-launcher#.UNamD2_YcvY (accessed

December 23, 2012).

"M203 Launcher | Grenade Launcher | Marines.com." US Marine Corps | Marine Recruiting |

Marines.com. http://www.marines.com/operating-forces/equipment/weapons/m203-

grenade-launcher (accessed December 23, 2012).

Norman, Joshua . "XM25 "Game Changer" Weapon Now Killing Enemies Behind Walls in

Afghanistan - World Watch - CBS News." Breaking News Headlines: Business,

Entertainment & World News - CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-

503543_162-20024281-503543.html (accessed December 23, 2012).

"XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System | Popular Science." Popular Science | New


Technology, Science News, The Future Now.

http://www.popsci.com/bown/2009/product/xm25-counter-defilade-target-engagement-

system (accessed December 23, 2012).


XM25 CDTE

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