The U.S. Army has named the Barrett and MARS Inc. team the winner of its xTech Soldier Lethality competition, according to Barrett's press release. The team built a 30mm grenade rifle prototype in six months to meet the Army's Precision Grenadier System requirement.
What Was Announced
The Precision Grenadier System is described as a soldier-portable, shoulder-fired, semi-automatic, magazine-fed weapon. It is meant to be an integrated package of weapon, ammunition, and fire control. The stated purpose is fast, precise engagements against personnel in defilade and against unmanned aerial systems at close range.
Barrett says the effort pulled in several partners. MARS Inc. contributed its technology, AMTEC Corp. is developing a new family of 30mm shoulder-fired munitions, and Precision Targeting is supplying a fire control system matched to the AMTEC ammunition.
Key Details
- Caliber: 30mm
- Type: Shoulder-fired, semi-automatic, magazine-fed
- Stated munitions: Programmable air-bursting high explosive, proximity-fuzed and point-detonating high explosive, and a close-quarter battle round
- Stated targets: Personnel in defilade and close-range UAS
- Development time: Six months from design through live-fire demonstration
What It Means for Gun Owners
This is a military program, and the system is not offered to civilians. For most owners, the news reflects where Barrett's engineering is heading. The company is best known for its Model 82 .50 caliber rifle and the MRAD MK 22 precision rifle, both of which are used by the U.S. and more than 80 allied nations. Barrett's release also says it is aiming for a system with counter-drone capability, which signals a continued shift toward non-traditional threats on the battlefield.
Bottom Line
The Army has picked a Barrett and MARS Inc. team to move forward with a 30mm shoulder-fired grenade system. Performance figures and fielding timelines were not included in the announcement, so the details will need to come from future Army or company releases.
