Surname

Should the XM-25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement (CDTE) System replace the M203
Grenade Launcher?

Names
Unit Code
26rd December, 2012

INTRODUCTION
After the spectacular success, efficiency and popularity of the XM-25 Counter Defilade
Target Engagement (CDTE) System in Afghanistan since May 2010, the United States Army has
scheduled for the first ever programmable grenade launcher to replace the M203 grenade
launcher. The deployment of the XM 25 CDTE in Afghanistan has given an edge to the US
soldiers since their enemies now have no place to hide more so in urban combat regions. The
Alliant Technsystems XM 25 CDTE has programmable ammunition that uses a laser range
finder to calculate the distance to the barrier before detonation5.
Also known as The Punisher, the XM 25 CDTE is a semiautomatic shoulder fired gun
which uses 25mm micro-chipped rounds to measure the their current oscillations deriving how
far each round has travelled. The ammunitions are also equipped with a small magnet inside to
enable it to generate AC current as they spin before they explode mid-air. This feature enables
the XM 25 CDTE to fire air-bursting shells up to 2,300 feet targeting enemies over walls, at
building corners and in trenches raining shrapnel upon them.
The following are M203 grenade launcher facts in comparison to the XM 25 CDTE and
reasons why many people will consider replacing M203 with XM 25 CDTE.
One of the main reasons why anyone would consider replacing M203 grenade
launcher with an XM 25 CDTE is the because XM 25 fires smart rounds which explode over the
enemies heads behind any sort of cover. This significantly shortened combat encounters with
enemies to minutes because it is semiautomatic and utilized ammunition efficiently even in the
1. Colt Firearms
2. DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System
3. Marines.com
4. Popular Science | New Technology, Science News, The Future Now
5. CBS News "XM25 "Game Changer" Weapon Now Killing Enemies Behind Walls in
Afghanistan

dark. So the military ends up using a few rounds of ammunition unlike the M203 which grenade
launcher which does not have a day and night sight on rendering it useless in todays world. The
M203 also lacks the infrared aiming laser which enables the grenadier to actually attach the
weapon system with the night vision goggles. This only leaves the grenadier with limited options
taking up a lot more time and ammunition during combat.
The XM 25 CDTE features a unique but efficient target acquisition system which
calculates the range of the target with the push of a button. The collected information is then
transferred electronically to the inbuilt fuse in the 25mm projectile exploding and peppering
shrapnel directly 600m above the target when fired. This feature is also enhanced by the fact that
the rounds are fitted with magnets which generate alternating current (AC) when they spin.
Coupled with the microprocessor, the rounds are able to travel up to 2,500 feet unlike the 40mm
grenades of the M203 which only have a range of 492 feet.
The M203 grenadiers operations are a little more complex than those of the XM 25
CDTE operator. The colt M203 grenade launcher operations include loading, unloading, aiming
(which is very strenuous unless the operator is familiar with the arching pattern the projectile
travels in) and firing. These in comparison to XM 25 CDTE operations are slightly cumbersome
and one only needs five minutes of instruction to operate it and even better a soldier can become
proficient within minutes.
The XM 25 CDTE is 300 percent effective at incapacitating the enemy/target when
compared M203 grenade launcher. This is because the rounds of XM 25 are made using smart
1. Colt Firearms
2. DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System
3. Marines.com
4. Popular Science | New Technology, Science News, The Future Now
5. CBS News "XM25 "Game Changer" Weapon Now Killing Enemies Behind Walls in
Afghanistan

technology and are more target-oriented than the 40mm grenades of the M203 with are more
focused on wide damage radius area.
Currently the 40mm ammunition for the M203 is very scarce and slightly expensive in
comparison to the 25mm XM 25 CDTE prototype. According to DailyTech, the forecasted price
of the 25mm smart technology rounds of the XM 25 semiautomatic gun is $24. This price
however is not the current price of the handmade grenades which so far cost $1000.
The XM 25 is a rotating bolt gas operated semiautomatic weapon which is designed to
use a bull-pup layout located in its buttstock. Housed with an impact-resistant polymer and
equipped with well positioned ambidextrous controls, XM 25 allows the operator to fire from
either shoulder without any sought of discomfort whatsoever. Unlike the M203 which required
the operator to firmly press the barrel latch and slide the barrel forward each time to load the
weapon the XM 25 is equipped with a magazine that houses the ammunition.
Conclusion
The XM 25 CDTE offers a huge advantage to the United States army and any other unit
that has access to this weapon both tactically and target elimination efficiency. However, the XM
25 CDTE is excessively heavy weighing up to 12 pounds. This means the grenadier will have to
either carry both the XM 25 grenade launcher and an M4 or leave the M4 behind and carry the
XM 25. But in either way the grenadier will not be able to support him/herself during a firefight.
Talks have commenced to remodel the backbone of the XM 25 grenade launcher using carbon

1. Colt Firearms
2. DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System
3. Marines.com
4. Popular Science | New Technology, Science News, The Future Now
5. CBS News "XM25 "Game Changer" Weapon Now Killing Enemies Behind Walls in
Afghanistan

fiber material. This will significantly lower the weight of the XM 25 but there is no tangible
prove that this is even remotely possible.
The cost of the XM 25 is also a worry to the US army. One Alliant Techsystem XM 25
CDTE gun costs approximately $35,000. This is because all the XM 25 guns available are
prototypes and they are manmade. Cost however will reduce significantly once mass production
of the riffle commences.

1. Colt Firearms
2. DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System
3. Marines.com
4. Popular Science | New Technology, Science News, The Future Now
5. CBS News "XM25 "Game Changer" Weapon Now Killing Enemies Behind Walls in
Afghanistan

Bibliography

"Colt M203 40mm Grenade Launcher." Colt Firearms > Home.

http://www.colt.com/ColtMilitary/Products/ColtM20340mmGrenadeLauncher.aspx
(accessed December 23, 2012).

"DVIDS - News - Grenade launcher." DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/83675/grenade-launcher#.UNamD2_YcvY (accessed
December 23, 2012).

"M203 Launcher | Grenade Launcher | Marines.com." US Marine Corps | Marine Recruiting |

Marines.com. http://www.marines.com/operating-forces/equipment/weapons/m203grenade-launcher (accessed December 23, 2012).

Norman, Joshua . "XM25 "Game Changer" Weapon Now Killing Enemies Behind Walls in
Afghanistan - World Watch - CBS News." Breaking News Headlines: Business,
Entertainment & World News - CBS News. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301503543_162-20024281-503543.html (accessed December 23, 2012).

"XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System | Popular Science." Popular Science | New
1. Colt Firearms
2. DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System
3. Marines.com
4. Popular Science | New Technology, Science News, The Future Now
5. CBS News "XM25 "Game Changer" Weapon Now Killing Enemies Behind Walls in
Afghanistan

Technology, Science News, The Future Now.

http://www.popsci.com/bown/2009/product/xm25-counter-defilade-target-engagementsystem (accessed December 23, 2012).

1. Colt Firearms
2. DVIDS - Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System
3. Marines.com
4. Popular Science | New Technology, Science News, The Future Now
5. CBS News "XM25 "Game Changer" Weapon Now Killing Enemies Behind Walls in
Afghanistan