The XM25 has been in development for about seven years and will be deployed with troops in Afghanistan later this month.
The 12-pound, 29-inch system costs up to $35,000 per unit and is so sophisticated that soldiers are proficient users literally within minutes.
Lt. Col. Christopher Lehner, project manager for the semi-automatic, shoulder-fired weapon system for the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office Soldier has described the rifle as a ‘game-changer’.
How it works
The futuristic weapon has the capacity to figure out an enemy, even when he is hidden behind buildings or other barriers.
The XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System means that ‘smart’ bullets do not necessarily explode on impact.
Instead, they can be programmed to detonate either in front of or behind an enemy, which means that they can literally go through a wall before exploding. This will allow enemies to be targeted no matter where they are hiding.
The rifle also has a range of 2,300 feet, which is equivalent to the length of eight football pitches. This makes it possible to hit targets that conventional rifles cannot reach.
Lehner said: "With this weapon system, we take away cover from [enemy targets] forever. Tactics are going to have to be rewritten. The only thing we can see [enemies] being able to do is run away."
The 12-pound, 29-inch system costs up to $35,000 per unit and is so sophisticated that soldiers are proficient users literally within minutes.
Lt. Col. Christopher Lehner, project manager for the semi-automatic, shoulder-fired weapon system for the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office Soldier has described the rifle as a ‘game-changer’.
How it works
The futuristic weapon has the capacity to figure out an enemy, even when he is hidden behind buildings or other barriers.
The XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System means that ‘smart’ bullets do not necessarily explode on impact.
Instead, they can be programmed to detonate either in front of or behind an enemy, which means that they can literally go through a wall before exploding. This will allow enemies to be targeted no matter where they are hiding.
The rifle also has a range of 2,300 feet, which is equivalent to the length of eight football pitches. This makes it possible to hit targets that conventional rifles cannot reach.
Lehner said: "With this weapon system, we take away cover from [enemy targets] forever. Tactics are going to have to be rewritten. The only thing we can see [enemies] being able to do is run away."
