Army Starts Testing 'Judge Dredd' Weapon

[Paslode]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,522699,00.html

Army Starts Testing 'Judge Dredd' Weapon

Friday , May 29, 2009


The U.S. Army is set to start testing a computerized, high-tech projectile launcher that can take out bad guys hiding around corners and in caves or trenches, even if they're out of the soldier's line of sight.

Some experts call it the "Judge Dredd" gun, after the Sylvester Stallone movie. The Pentagon calls it the XM-25 Individual Air Burst Weapon, which uses a laser rangefinder to precisely measure the distance to a target, then primes a fuse on a timed grenade so that the projectile explodes exactly where it should.

"The way a soldier operates this is you basically find your target, then laze to it, which gives the range, then you get an adjusted aim point, adjust fire and pull the trigger," deputy program manager Richard Audette told Army News Service. "Say you've lazed out to 543 meters ... when you pull the trigger it arms the round and fires it 543 meters plus or minus a one-, two- or three-meter increment, then it explodes over the target."

A squad trying to neutralize an enemy fighter wouldn't have to wait until he showed himself — instead, they could just aim to a spot near him, then use the XM-25 to have a grenade explode directly there.

"For example, in Iraq we had many instances where there was a sniper firing from a rooftop and you have a squad trying to engage that target, but the soldiers couldn't get to him with the weapons they had, so they'd call in the Air Force to drop a JDAM (joint direct attack munition)," said Audette. "We can take out the target at $25 per XM round as opposed to a $20,000 to $50,000 JDAM."

With a range of 750 meters — nearly half a mile — the XM-25 would also be very effective in Afghanistan, where Taliban fighters often hide behind rocks and in caves.

In addition to precision-timed grenades, the gun is also built to fire armor-piercing, door-breaching, anti-personnel and less-than-lethal rounds.

Yet once again science fiction becomes a reality.

[Pete S]

Old news.
This is just a rehash of the OICW.

[7624U]

Laser range finder hits leaf 3m to your front while your in a firefight for your life.
XM round detonates 3m out of barrel.

Im all for high-tech gear I read all the stuff DARPA is doing, and read alot of military sci fi. But In reality it has to be seamless so the soldier does not need to do any complex actions. The simpler the system is the better it preforms under stress. Maybe this weapon is simple I havent fired it yet, But what ive read about it and seen on TV. all I can invision is some joe trying to get his distance to target with his laser. Exposing himself while the computer gets a lock and then getting a round to the forehead.

[Utah Bob]

But can it make coffee?

[7624U]

Originally Posted by Utah Bob

But can it make coffee?

For a few extra pounds added onto the 18lbs sure. Good thing the army did away with black boots also, it could have came with boot shine kit installed.
This thing better be self cleaning even coffee makers and ovens are self cleaning now days.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Pete S

Old news.
This is just a rehash of the OICW.

Exactly.

First the OICW tanks, and rightfully so, after many millions of dollars.

Then they try and foist the XM-8 on us.

Now the top half is offered seperately, the XM-25.

None of this shit is ready for prime time, or represents an improvement, pound for pound, or dollar for dollar, over what we already have. Just defense companies trying to get rich off the government.

The XM-25 munition is unreliable, undersized, and lacks lethality, except for the shooter.

TR

[Pete S]

Cool idea on the XM-25.
It has many capabilities that I might find beneficial in some solid contact.
But it was a really poor execution.

We should be able to upgrade the 40mm to be more effective instead of introducing a new weapon and a new ammo type.

The South Koreans have just adopetd something similar to the OICW.

Daewoo K11
Stats:
http://world.guns.ru/assault/as98-e.htm

[sefryak]

We've been using the MK14 over here and it is very effective. Being able to put multiple 40mm rounds on target rapidly with ease is not to be sneezed at. No high tech targeting system, just a simple reflex sight that does the trick handsomely.

[kawika]

I cant wait until the brass figures out that the people that actually use the weapon systems want something that works every single time, no matter what, is lethal, easy to maintain and as light weight as possible.

Everytime I read an article on what the R&D boys are coming up with I cringe(outside of maybe caseless ammo).

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by kawika

I cant wait until the brass figures out that the people that actually use the weapon systems want something that works every single time, no matter what, is lethal, easy to maintain and as light weight as possible.

Sounds like an M-79.