Should The XM-25 Replace M203

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The United States Military Forces are one of the best-trained and equipped militaries in the word. To maintain our edge it is important for our military leadership to ensure our service members have weapon systems available. Weapons systems that are versatile and effective enough to engage and destroy our enemies across the full spectrum of operations. Should the XM-25 Weapon System replace the M203 Grenade Launcher? Although the XM-25 is an effective weapon system, due to its limited engagement capabilities, cost and limited unit maintenance capabilities, the XM-25 should not replace the M203.

The XM-25 was specifically designed with the capability to combat an enemy target in a defilade or covered position. A person firing from a defilade or covered position gains a tactical advantage if his enemy does not have the capability to penetrate his defenses with his organic assets. The XM-25 if properly employed is accurate against point targets at 500 meters and area targets at 700 meters. The M203 if properly deployed can effectively engage targets up to 400 meters. Without a doubt, the XM-25 greater range and specific design makes its more effective at engaging defilade targets then the M203. The XM-25 does have its limitations.

Currently the ammunition for the XM-25 is limited to a 25mm high explosive airburst round (HEAB). The M203 gains the edge in versatility due to its ability to fire eight different types of rounds. The M20 40mm ammunition type includes high explosive, high explosive dual purpose, illumination, signal, tear gas (chorobenzalmalonitrile/CS), buckshot and non-lethal rounds. In the future additional 25mm rounds types could be developed to augment the current HEAB round. Un...

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Matthew Cox “New XM25 and M240 due to hit war zones soon” The Army Times 17 May 2010 accessed on the internet on 1 Oct 11 at http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/05/army_weapons_051510w/

www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/oicw-program.htm

Raymond Piper “XM25 feedback demonstrates lethality” accessed on the internet on 7 Oct 11 at http://www.army.mil/article/66968/XM25_feedback_demonstrates_lethality/

Marcus Weisgerber “DoD No 2: Army, weapons could get slashed” Army Times, 3 Oct 2011, accessed on the internet on 7 Oct 11 at http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/10/military-defense-william-lynn-army-weapons-could-get-slashed-100311w/

Ibid

Lance M. Bacon “Punisher Gets if First Battlefied Test.” Army Times, February 12, 2011 (Provided on Information Paper submitted by MAJ JL Hammond for F100 block of instruction)

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