XM25 Individual Airburst Weapon System

XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System
XM25 CDTE grenade launcher.
Type	Bullpup grenade launcher
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
In service	2010–2013 (field evaluations), 2017 (planned)
Used by	U.S. Army
Wars	War in Afghanistan
Production history
Designer	Heckler & Koch
Manufacturer	Heckler & Koch
Specifications
Weight	6.35 kg (14.0 lb) empty
Length	749 mm (29.5 in)
Cartridge	25×40mm
Muzzle velocity	690 ft/s (210 m/s)
Effective firing range	550 yd (500 m) for point targets 765 yd (700 m) for area targets
Maximum firing range	1,100 yd (1,000 m)
Feed system	5-round detachable box magazine

The XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement (CDTE) System, also known as the Punisher and Individual Semiautomatic Air Burst System is an airburst grenade launcher derived from the XM29 OICW. It was fielded to soldiers serving in the War in Afghanistan in 2010, after which malfunctions and program budget cuts delayed official entry into service, planned for early 2017.

The XM25 CDTE fires 25 mm grenades that are set to explode in mid-air at or near the target. A laser rangefinder in the weapon is used to determine the distance to the target. The user can manually adjust the detonating distance by up to 10 feet (3.0 m) shorter or longer; the XM25 automatically transmits the detonating distance to the grenade in the firing chamber. The grenade tracks the distance it has traveled by the number of spiral rotations after it is fired, then detonates at the proper distance to produce an airburst effect. These features make the XM25 more effective than traditional grenade launchers at the task of hitting targets that are behind cover or dug into the ground.

The system has been developed by Alliant Techsystems and Heckler & Koch, while the target acquisition/fire control is developed by L-3 IOS Brashear.

The M203 grenade launcher has an effective range for point targets of 150 meters, and a maximum range for area targets of 350 meters. The XM25 has an effective range for point targets of 600 meters, and a maximum range for area targets of 700 meters. Studies indicate that the XM25 with air burst rounds is 300 percent more effective at engaging the enemy than other squad-level grenade launchers.

Alliant Techsystems has indicated that the rifle may later use projectiles with smaller explosive charges which will stun opponents rather than killing them.

The US Army is working on a 40 mm autonomous airburst Small Arms Grenade Munitions (SAGM) round to give 40 mm grenade launchers airburst capabilities as a complementary system to the XM25.

The XM25 has had some criticism by users. One situation occurred in March 2013 where elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment refused to take the 14 lb (6.4 kg) weapon on a raid because they found it too heavy and cumbersome. They also felt its low basic ammunition load and magazine capacity of 25 mm grenades were not enough to justify the removal of an M4A1 carbine from the mission.