After a short discussion with Marcase and rereading the KITUP! article, it struck me that this weapon system has nullified the former king of Infantry combat...the Machine gun. USMC Gunners are definitely caught in the past. Unless the IAR is a backdoor attempt to field a replacement for the M-16A4 and M4 then we must dump it quick and join the US Army in procuring this weapon!
A modest proposal.
Dump the inept, still born, poorly conceived Infantry Automatic Rifle and go instead for a real Grenadier in the form of an XM-25 Gunner.
What has me on this kick?
Catching up on my reading and getting this blurb from KitUp!
The XM-25 has fired 55 rounds in nine firefights between Dec. 3 and January 12, when the formal Forward Operational Assessment ended. Officials say the weapon “disrupted” two insurgent attacks against an observation post, destroying one PKM machine gun position in one of those attacks. That is where the ”usually our engagements last for 15-20 minutes. With the XM-25 they’re over in a few minutes” line came from.Unless the Marine Corps is actually after a replacement for the M-16A4 then the IAR is not whats needed.
The XM-25 also “destroyed” four ambush sites during engagements on foot patrols or movements to contact. In one instance, the 25mm HE round exploded on a PKM gunner and he was either wounded and fled or scared and fled, but dropped his machine gun, which Soldiers later recovered.
The US Army in this instance has made a common sense decision when it comes to future small arms procurement.
It seems (in my opinion) that the Marines have been bitten with the precision fires bug. Nothing wrong with that as long as you remember that precision fires with area weapons is good too!
The more I look at this thing, the more I realize it's a true game changer. Think about it; you're to face a squad with just one of these - you can't hide anywhere. Not behind sandbags, walls, vehicles, rooms whatever.
ReplyDeleteHistoric and present day gun-battles are direct LOS affairs, and the usual tie-breaker is a supporting mortar or airstrike - ballistic/in-direct fire.
Now that same capability can be put in the hands of ONE guy.
Awesome.
totally agree.
ReplyDeletewhat really shocked me about the story is how this weapon was able to nullify the former king of infantry combat...the machine gun.
and it did it easily.
game changer? this is about to rewrite the rules!
I can see at least two phases of change:
ReplyDelete1. Soon, the rounds will no longer made by hand at $1000 each. This will then be for the infantry what the Excalibur has been for the artillery.
2. Happy time will be over when the other guys get something similar. This will lead to changes in tactics, deployment and personal armor
To me, the IAR seems like a reasonable response to the problem of overloaded SAW gunners slowing down fire team and squad tactical movement.
ReplyDeleteThe addition of an XM-25 gunner is something new, and doesn't really replace any other member of the squad. You still need 40mm UGLs for the variety of effects they produce. You still need an automatic weapon to suppress. You still need rifleman to kick doors down.
The weight of the XM-25 precludes carrying an M-4 as a backup, so this guy will only have a pistol and will be of limited utility in CQB.
Maybe you issue a couple per platoon to "sniper grenadiers".
Actually, the XM-25 may be the CQB game-changer here.
ReplyDeleteCQB is all about clearing rooms and securing corners. Well, the XM-25 can clear a room, and then some. No need for door-kickers and flashbangs here.
If FCS-spin-off UGVs and sensors can allow troops to determine if the room is clear of friendlies/civilians, the XM-25 can clear an entire building fast and easy - it's certainly more effective than an M203/40mm.
And why suppress the other guys if you can bypass that and kill that threat outright?
I don't see how an XM-25 is going to improve CQB. Sure, you can fire a round through every window you're receiving fire from. That's good. But when you stop receiving fire, you still have to enter the building and clear it. People can hide behind furniture, in closets, move from room to room. The XM-25 with HEAB is far from ideal for this.
ReplyDeleteUGVs could be a CQB game changer someday, but the have LONG ways to go.
On suppression. It may come to a point where the XM-25 can supplant the AR (or even MGs) for suppressive and killing fires, but it's a VERY new system. We still haven't even worked out all the kinks, let alone validated it's effectiveness in a range of situations.
Plus, an IAR gunner is still a rifleman, and can execute the same CQB drills with everyone else in the squad. The XM-25 gunner isn't.
I wonder if they are developing a 25mm flechette or buckshot round? Not the same as having an instantly accessible rifle, but might help.
There have been speculations the XM25 replace the M27 IAR and M16/M4. Absolutely not.
ReplyDeleteThe XM25 is a portable support weapon but it cannot replace the basic infantryman's tool -- his rifle or carbine or IAR. The XM25 can supplement but not replace the M16/M4/M203 combination.