Army’s troubled XM25 program officially terminated

By Chris Eger

Then-U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno looks through the sight of an XM25 during his visit to Fort Belvoir, Va., Nov 1, 2013. Canceled by the Army last April, it was announced the program was officially ended last week. (Photo: DoD)
The long-touted but unproven XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement weapon system has gone down for the count, say Army officials.
Developed by Orbital ATK, Heckler & Koch and L-3, the XM25 CDTE was a man-portable “smart” weapon system designed to fire 25mm high-explosive airburst round set to explode in mid-air at or near the target through the help of a laser rangefinder.
Although fielded in limited numbers for a 14-month period in Afghanistan that ended in 2012, the Army ultimately pumped the brakes on the project in 2016 after a toxic cocktail of cost overruns, failed testing, and malfunctions, which resulted in a lawsuit and finger-pointing between two of the contractors. Now, almost two years later, it has closed the door for good but will keep the technology as well as the prototype weapons, Stars and Stripes reports.
“After canceling the program last year, the Army has since received rights to the program’s research and development,” said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Isaac

Source: Guns.com