PICATINNY ARSENAL, NJ — The U.S. Army’s XM204 interim top-attack munition was approved for Urgent Materiel Release (UMR) and successfully conducted initial fielding in Europe on December 4, 2025. Managed by Project Manager Close Combat Systems (PM CCS) at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ in partnership with Textron Systems of Wilmington, MA, the XM204 completed Low-Rate Initial Production in September of 2025. The munition was then fielded to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, based at Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany for training.

New Equipment Training and Doctrine, Training and Tactics were provided to 2nd Cavalry Regiment to review the performance, reliability, and integrated safety features of the XM204 and prepare for use Army-wide.

Eight Observer Coach/Trainers from the Joint Multinational Readiness Center also attended the train-the-trainer course so those personnel can continue to guide other Soldiers on the effective use of the weapon system. The training was held at Grafenwoehr Army Base and at the conclusion of training/fielding, PM CCS and JPEO Armaments & Ammunition (JPEO A&A) achieved Initial Operational Capability milestone.

The XM204 is an anti-vehicle munition with standoff and top attack capabilities designed to support terrain shaping operations by supporting a number of counter mobility tasks such as blocking, disrupting, fixing, and turning an enemy force.

“Seeing the XM204 perform so successfully reinforces the strength of our development teams and the speed at which they can design, build, test and field critical munitions that can degrade enemy mobility and create tactical advantages for friendly forces,” said Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, JPEO A&A and Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal. This new system addresses evolving battlefield demands and the ongoing need to produce safe, reliable, and lethal munitions for our Warfighters and international partners.

The XM204 can be rapidly emplaced and is highly portable; the system can be employed alone, in multiples or in tandem with other terrain shaping systems. The lightweight munition features a dispenser launcher module that autonomously deploys multiple submunitions. Each submunition is equipped with onboard sensors to detect enemy vehicles and utilizes an explosively formed penetrator to defeat those threats. If not armed, the system is recoverable which allows Soldiers to reposition it as needed.

The XM204 also includes tamper-resistant features, armed/safe indicators, and self-destruct timers, aligning with U.S. landmine policy on anti-personnel landmines and reducing post-conflict risks to civilians.

In addition to the XM204, the XM98 Emplacement Trainer was approved by U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in November. The XM98 training munition was also fielded to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Germany. The regiment is the longest continuously serving cavalry unit in the Army and plays a key role in North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s enhanced Forward Presence initiative.

By Michael Chambers

As part of Pegasus Charge, 1st Cavalry Division’s effort in support of the Army’s “Transforming in Contact” initiative to modernize armored formations, soldiers assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted Fort Hood’s first live-fire exercise of the Switchblade 600 Loitering Munition System, Sept. 15.

The Switchblade 600 — a tube-launched, unmanned aircraft system — has already seen extensive use by Special Operations Forces, light infantry units and foreign partners. The 1st Cavalry Division is among the first armored units to field the system.

“This is the first time for all of our soldiers to see these munitions fired, and you can feel the excitement in the air,” said Army Capt. Jeffrey Weller, Multifunctional Reconnaissance Troop commander, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “The Switchblade enables the brigade to engage targets with precision between 5 and 15 kilometers in front of our forward line of troops, extending our reach and lethality.”

Modernizing the Fight

The Army’s broader Transforming in Contact initiative aims to overhaul how armored formations fight by integrating new technologies, particularly drones and advanced communications.

“A huge thing the Army has seen across multiple battlefields, whether in Ukraine or elsewhere, is the rapid modernization and high usage of drones,” Weller said. “We’re taking those lessons learned and revamping our [unmanned aircraft] systems to stay ahead of adversaries.”

Roughly 5 feet long and weighing 75 pounds, the battery-powered Switchblade 600 resembles a drone, but carries a Javelin multipurpose warhead. It has a flight time of 40 to 45 minutes, a range of up to 27 miles and delivers a 5-pound explosive payload.

“It’s a remote-controlled missile that flies like a drone until it gets to the target,” explained a flight operations supervisor with the system’s manufacturer. “The operator uses onboard cameras to identify, select and engage the target.”

Once launched from its tube, the Switchblade can navigate through waypoints, loiter over the target area and strike with precision. Operators also retain the ability to wave off a strike mid-flight if conditions change.

“The Switchblade allows us to target vehicles or small groups of personnel from much farther away than before,” Weller said. “It increases our lethality, minimizes collateral damage and helps protect soldiers on the front lines.”

Before the live-fire exercise, soldiers completed a five-day training course with the manufacturer, during which they learned to set up, arm and program the drones for flight and strike missions.

Army Spc. Drake Cross, a Switchblade operator who has flown RQ-7 Shadow and RQ-28 Quadcopter drones for the division, said this was his first experience with a munition-carrying UAS.

“Everything else I’ve flown has been for surveillance and target acquisition,” Cross said. “This is the first one where I can actually deliver a round. It’s exciting because it saves soldiers’ lives by hitting targets without putting us in danger.”

Cross said the system was user-friendly and similar to other UAS platforms, adding, “There’s not much of a learning curve. Once you identify and lock onto a target, you can adjust right up until impact to make sure you’re hitting what you want.”

Looking Ahead

Weller said the Switchblade is just one example of how Transforming in Contact is reshaping the 1st Cavalry Division’s armored formations. He noted that the unit will use the system during their upcoming rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

“The battlefield is constantly changing, and the Army has to modernize to keep pace,” he said. “Seeing systems like the Switchblade in action shows us the future of how our formations will fight. It’s a big step toward keeping our soldiers safer and more lethal.”

By Heather Ashley, Fort Hood Public Affairs Office

PICATINNY ARSENAL, NJ — The U.S. Army’s Project Manager Close Combat Systems has passed First Article Testing (FAT) and completed Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the XM204 interim top-attack munition.

PM CCS conducted FAT at Yuma Proving Ground and validated the performance, reliability, and integrated safety features of the XM204 which the government developed in partnership with Textron Systems. After FAT approval, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (McAlester, OK) began LRIP.

The XM204 is an anti-vehicle munition with standoff and top attack capabilities designed to support terrain shaping operations by supporting a number of counter mobility tasks such as blocking, disrupting, fixing, and turning an enemy force.

“The XM204 is a significant step forward in how we enable maneuver commanders to shape terrain and protect their forces,” said Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition and Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal. “We’re proud to see the 2nd Cavalry Regiment become the first to field this new system.”

The 2nd Cavalry Regiment, based at Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany, will be the first unit to field the XM204. The regiment is the longest continuously serving cavalry unit in the Army and plays a key role in North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) enhanced Forward Presence initiative.

“For units on the frontlines of deterrence in Europe, having access to advanced terrain-shaping capabilities like the XM204 strengthens our ability to influence key terrain, slow adversary movement, and protect our forces,” said Reim. “This system gives our Warfighters a decisive edge as we train and operate alongside NATO allies.”

The XM204 can be rapidly emplaced and is highly portable; the system can be employed alone, in multiples or in tandem with other terrain shaping systems. The lightweight munition features a dispenser launcher module that autonomously deploys multiple submunitions. Each submunition is equipped with onboard sensors to detect enemy vehicles and utilizes an explosively formed penetrator to defeat those threats. If not armed, the system is recoverable which allows Soldiers to reposition it as needed.

The XM204 also includes tamper-resistant features, armed/safe indicators, and self-destruct timers, aligning with U.S. landmine policy on anti-personnel landmines and reducing post-conflict risks to civilians.

According to Tinesha Nicholas, Product Manager for Terrain Shaping Obstacles (PdM TSO), the new system can be used in conjunction with the XM343 Standoff Activated Volcano Obstacle to produce layered effects that degrade enemy mobility and create tactical advantages for friendly forces.

“Seeing the XM204 perform so successfully gives us confidence,” said Nicholas. “This new system addresses evolving battlefield demands and reflects PdM TSO’s commitment to developing and fielding safe, reliable, and lethal munitions to our warfighters and international partners.”

Joint Munitions Command cleared the XM204 for release to the Warfighter in September 2025 and New Equipment Training will be delivered to 2nd Cavalry Regiment by Project Manager Close Combat Systems in Vilseck, Germany this fall.

By Michael Chambers