Army to test smart grenades that can hit hidden targets

folarin okunola

October 14, 2015 8:16 AM

For normal use, the gun only needs to be pointed at an enemy (up to 1,640 feet away) and the XM25’s laser rangefinder will decide when the grenade will explode.

XM25 smart grenade launcher

After several years of work, Orbital ATK (derived from Orbital Sciences) is close to finishing a very clever weapon that could aid American soldiers in difficult situations.

By early 2016, the US Army will start testing the XM25, a grenade launcher that can defeat enemies even if they are behind cover.

For normal use, the gun only needs to be pointed at an enemy (up to 1,640 feet away) and the XM25’s laser rangefinder will decide when the grenade will explode.

If a target is hiding, the distance can be dialed up (2,300 feet away) and explode the grenade in mid-air.

READ: US agency invents bullets that can actually curve

Theoretically speaking, troops don’t have to expose themselves to line up a shot. They only have to pick a close enough point and pull the trigger.

The testing will determine if the XM25 will enter service. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is a make or break test.

According to Engadget, the US Army used a handful of prototypes in Afghanistan back in 2010, and it must have been happy with those prototypes to move ahead.

folarin okunola