Gizmodo: xm25

New Rifle Can Fire Bullets Through Walls, Explode Them Once Inside

Adam Frucci — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:20:00 EDT

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Here's something you don't want fired in your direction: a "smart" gun that fires bullets that can travel through walls, exploding once they're inside. It's the accuracy of a rifle with the explosiveness of a grenade launcher.

The XM25 rifle is about to begin testing in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it sounds pretty nuts.

As the 25-millimetre round is fired, the gunsight sends a radio signal to a chip inside the bullet, telling it the precise distance to the target. A spiral groove inside the barrel makes the bullet rotate as it travels, and as it also contains a magnetic transducer, this rotation through the Earth's magnetic field generates an alternating current. A patent granted to the bullet's maker, Alliant Techsystems, reveals that the chip uses fluctuations in this current to count each revolution and, as it knows the distance covered in one spin, it can calculate how far it has traveled.

And this, my friends, is why I stay on the good side of the US Military. [New Scientist via John Mahoney's Popular Science Magazine via io9]

First Look and Full Details on the XM25, the Most Lethal Army Gun Ever

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:00:00 EDT

Here's the first look at the final version of the deadly XM25. We learned this morning of the weapon's destructive power, but now we have a photo of the final version and all the details, starting with the key for its destruction power, a built-in fire-control system that can program each of the weapon's 25 millimeter rounds wirelessly, in real time, so soldiers can take down enemies around obstacles:

As you can see in the schematics, the fire-control system uses thermal optic, day-sight, laser range finder, compass and IR light to exactly measure the distance to the target, programming each of the rounds' fuses so it explodes next to the target using a wireless connection. According to the US Army, this gives maximum destruction power and minimum collateral damage, while allowing to save barriers that previously didn't allow to reach the target.

The capability to program the rounds is what allows this weapon to go "around objects." If, for example, there's a sniper hidden behind a trench, the soldier can program each round so it explodes just above the target. The bullets will explode at that exact range, taking down the target thanks to their air bursting power.

The XM25 is capable of firing an air-bursting round out to 600 meters with a 360-degree explosive radius, all with extreme precision according to testers. However, each round doesn't have to be lethal: There will be two kind of non-lethal rounds (blunt and airburst) to neutralize enemies without killing them.

The new system is also user friendly. Apparently, each type of bullet—high explosive air bursting, armor piercing, door breaching, anti-personnel, non-lethal—is color-coded:

All this technology comes at a price, however. The US Army will have to pay $25,000 for each weapon, plus $25 for each programmable 25mm round. The rounds, however, will be absolutely free of charge for terrorists or anyone at the other side of the battlefield, bad guy or passerby. [Defense Tech]

XM25 Carbine Kills Bad Guys Behind Walls, Beyond Hills, Below Trenches

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EDT

The new XM25 Individual Air Burst Weapon is now undergoing final testing on the field. According to the US Army, this carbine belongs to the Marines' gun locker in Aliens. In fact, it can take out an Alien if they actually existed because it is capable of killing anyone behind walls, beyond hills or even below a trench. The XM25 is not just a concept: three prototypes will enter the final testing phase on the field next month, which means it could be deployed very soon. According to Christian at Defense Tech, even Army officials seem to be amazed at the firepower and precision of this weapon. Update: the first look of the final version is here.

We've done a lot of testing with this and what we're seeing is the estimated increase in effectiveness is six times what we'd be getting with a 5.56mm carbine or a grenade launcher. What we're talking about is a true 'leap ahead' in lethality, here. This is a huge step.

Christian promises a full article tomorrow at Military.com, and I can't wait for it because I'm wondering now how the heck this glorified nerf weapon can actually kill someone beyond a hill or in a trench. UPDATE: More details here. [Defense Tech]