In addition to a new name, the XM25 is going to get a facelift, according to BG Camille Nichols, PEO Soldier. During today’s media roundtable she amplified comments by PM Soldier Weapons, COL Scott Armstrong stating that an additional 36 XM25 Punishers would be produced and eventually make their way to Afghanistan.
COL Armstrong mentioned that the 36 new launchers would receive slight upgrades based on Soldier feedback. According to comments by BG Nichols, these include buttstock and pistol grip modifications. The Army should receive the new weapons by late 2012 and have them ready for combat six months later.
Tags: Punisher
How about they also create a M-203 style 25 mm launcher? Something where the optics/controller attach to the top rail, and connect via hard wire to the launch tube on the lower rail under the barrel. So with that, a soldier could just launch one round at a time, but at least that one round could air burst inside a room, just like a 25mm launched from a XM 25.
The other reason why something like this should be considered, is the ability for a infantry squad or platoon to have multiple weapons systems that can fire the same round. Because what if the one or two XM 25’s in a unit goes down during a fight, and that grenadier is just sitting there with all of their ammo? Instead, they should have the ability to hand that ammo to the single shot launchers within the unit, and at least have a way to use that ammo.
Besides, I think a single shot 25mm under a M-4 that can electronically control that air burst ammo, would be pretty cool.
The reason they don’t is that the gun requires a lot of electronics. You have to realize that the XM25 is one component of a dual use weapon for infantry called the Objective Individual Combat Weapon. OICW was not yet technologically mature so they took the carbine piece out and were left with the XM25.