U.S. Army Unveils 'Revolutionary' XM25 Rifle in Afghanistan

[jmig]

By Joshua Rhett Miller
Published November 28, 2010
| FoxNews.com
<!-- /user-interaction --> http://a57.foxnews.com/static/managed/img/Scitech/604/341/xm25640.jpg (http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/scitech/2010/11/24/armys-revolutionary-rifle-use-afghanistan/)

The XM25, designed by Minnesota's Alliant Techsystems, has been in development for about seven years and the first prototypes have been doled out to combat units in Afghanistan earlier this month. The 12-pound, 29-inch system, which costs up to $35,000 per unit, is so sophisticated that soldiers are proficient users literally within minutes. (U.S. Army)





Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/11/24/armys-revolutionary-rifle-use-afghanistan/#ixzz16fiwxzRm

[Toastmaker]

This will change significantly some infantry squad tactics. Now, being an "Army of One" takes on more ominous meanings. . . for the enemy.

:running:

[txnetcop]

A very very sophisticated weapon...

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[brad kaste]

...My only question would be: The cost. Yikers!,....$35,000 per gun? Sure...the cost will probably come down to some degree in time,...but it's like the F-22 or F-35 fighters. The final cost pings the needle off the measuring dial.

[Lionheart]

You know... The Afghans make replica Russian and Chinese automatics so well, that you can barely tell the difference from the real things, and they make these in mom and pop shops in small villages.

If the enemy can make a zillion of these replicas at no cost, what are we up against? We are running out of money.

It would be awesome if we could afford these things, but man, how do we pay for these? You can buy a nice, high technology automobile, with a V-6 or V-8, super nice, that will last about 200,000 miles for the same price as a single weapon. Do you know how much technology is in todays cars? Have you seen how their new engine management computers work? They are amazing. Tires, wheels, ABS brakes, safety glass, electric windows, radio system with a link to a satellite emergency system, nice seats, security system, etc, etc.


I dont know... I guess I am getting old.. arrgh. If America were making tons of money, I would be quiet on the issue.


Bill

[Francois]

I was going to say 'Where can I get one?'. But at that cost I still prefer a Barrett ;-)

[wombat666]

Q:"We have found that this has really made our soldiers so much more accurate and being able to deliver this high-explosive 25mm round in about five seconds," said Lehner, taking into account the time it takes a soldier to laze, aim and fire the weapon. Once fired, Lehner said, the round will reach its target in a "second or two," meaning the entire process from aiming to direct hit lasts less than 10 seconds, compared to 10 minutes or longer for traditional mortar fire:Q

Hardly a 'rifle'.
:173go1:

[stiz]

yet another grenade launcer in effect really .. why not just stick a range finder etc on an m32?? and microchips in the round itself?!? jeez if the gun costs 35k i dread to think what 10/20 rounds a day x the number of troops useing one would cost! I think what they should do is invest more into that dragon skin armour they have, now THAT was impresive. This'll just prolly go the same way as the XM8 i reckon

[n4gix]

Hardly a 'rifle'.


No kidding! Having actually read the related article and watched this technical video where the actual technology is explained, it's clear as day that "there's nowhere to hide" any longer!

http://video.foxnews.com/v/4438880/xm-25-rifle-in-action/?playlist_id=87485

1. Range to target
2. Add 1m
3. Fire!
4. Dead enemy!

The "targeted airburst" round is equivalent to a "smart handgrenade..."

[Bjoern]

Cooler: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM29

But: Eight kilos fully loaded! *Shudders*

[Allen]

I'm glad that this weapon can be used in combat unlike other the things (I'm looking at you USAF!) but really... The cost is sky high. The enemy attcker are almost never seen (Fire bases are shelled out side the effective range of most weapon.), making this a traditional mortar but a zillion more costly and with less range...


Cooler: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM29

But: Eight kilos fully loaded! *Shudders*

Wrong link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM25_Individual_Airburst_Weapon_System

[wombat666]

Another fine product brought to you by Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K)!
:173go1:

[Bjoern]

Wrong link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM25_Individual_Airburst_Weapon_System

You missed the "Cooler:" in front of it.




Another fine product brought to you by Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K)!

If we Germans know one thing, it's how to build stuff that kills really well. :icon_lol:



P.S: H&K sadly didn't offer any internships when I last looked at their page. :(

[deathfromafar]

You missed the "Cooler:" in front of it.





If we Germans know one thing, it's how to build stuff that kills really well. :icon_lol:



P.S: H&K sadly didn't offer any internships when I last looked at their page. :(

I used to use MP-5's for years. Not many H&K weapons have ever disappointed me. I do prefer the old G-3 & MP-5 stamped steel receivers with roller locking bolts(Delayed Blowback Operation). The newer Gas Operated G-36 and HK-416/417 are not bad but I'm stuck on the old school weaps they made. I have to say they did kinda screw up on the HK-416/417. It turned the M-16 design into a more reliable system going Piston from Direct Impingement but the HK engineers missed the bolt carrier canting issue completely! The problem has been solved with inexpensive fixes to the bolt carrier and recoil buffer. The only thing I can truly say negative about HK is that they are expensive! I remember their old motto: "In a world of compromise, some don't".