The new launcher weighs approximately 5.5 kg and uses five-round magazines, with a design similar to a standard automatic rifle. The system is based on the earlier XM25, developed by Alliant Techsystems, a company acquired by Northrop Grumman in 2018.
A key feature of the new weapon is a programmable airburst munition, similar in design to its predecessor’s 25mm round. In addition to programmable grenades, the U.S. Army requires ammunition capable of targeting light armoured vehicles, drones, and breaching doors.
The new system is expected to be lighter than the XM25 and offer greater flexibility through an expanded ammunition range. Northrop Grumman has developed or designed several types of munitions so far, including programmable airburst grenades, proximity-fused rounds for drones, close-range rounds, and training rounds.
The integrated fire control system, housed within the sight, is also being developed from scratch to meet U.S. Army requirements. The weapon is intended to maintain compact size and weight suitable for short-range combat, with an effective range of at least 500 metres.
