Barrett’s 30mm Squad Support Rifle Offers Fast Precision Strikes Against Drones And Fortified Targets.

During DSEI UK 2025 in London, Barrett Firearms introduced to the international public its 30mm Squad Support Rifle System (SSRS), developed in cooperation with Mars Inc. and unveiled for the first time outside the United States. The weapon recently won the U.S. Army’s xTech Soldier Lethality Competition and secured USD 2 million in funding, confirming its relevance in the ongoing Precision Grenadier System (PGS) program. Designed to extend the range and accuracy of dismounted soldiers beyond current grenade launchers, the SSRS represents a potential evolution in small-unit firepower. Its appearance in London highlights the growing strategic importance of lightweight, precision-guided support weapons in modern conflicts.

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The presentation of Barrett’s SSRS at DSEI 2025 signals the emergence of a new category of infantry support weapons that blend precision, modularity, and versatility (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The Barrett SSRS is a recoil-operated, magazine-fed, semi-automatic rifle chambered in 30×42 mm. The system is compact and ergonomic, with an overall length of 861 mm and a 305 mm barrel, while its weight remains approximately 6.3 kg with the integrated fire control system. Feeding from five-round detachable magazines, the SSRS provides dismounted units with the ability to engage targets up to 500 meters in less than three seconds, offering a much flatter trajectory than traditional 40×46 mm low-velocity grenades. With an effective range greater than most current squad-level grenade launchers, it enhances both precision and lethality in medium-range engagements.

A distinctive feature of the system is its advanced Direct Fire Control – Precision Targeting (DFC-PT) unit, developed by Precision Targeting LLC. This electro-optical fire control system integrates a laser rangefinder, ballistic solver, environmental sensors, and a disturbed reticle, significantly improving first-round hit probability. The SSRS is also designed for compatibility with remote weapon stations, expanding its application beyond individual infantry use to vehicle-mounted platforms.

Development has been rapid. Within eleven months, Barrett and Mars Inc. designed, built, and tested the SSRS, demonstrating its effectiveness under the U.S. Army’s Precision Grenadier System requirement. This achievement led to its recognition as the winner of the Army’s Soldier Lethality Competition in May 2025. Ammunition developed by Amtec Corp. further broadens its operational spectrum, with multiple natures including High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP), Close Quarters Battle (CQB), anti-drone rounds, and training practice slugs. This variety makes the weapon adaptable to both urban combat and counter-drone operations, two of the most pressing challenges on today’s battlefields.

In comparison with legacy systems, the SSRS stands out. The widely used M203 and M320 grenade launchers firing 40 mm LV rounds are generally limited to effective ranges below 400 meters. Medium-velocity variants offer somewhat greater reach but still lack the precision and flatter trajectory provided by the SSRS. At the other end of the spectrum, automatic grenade launchers such as the Mk19 deliver heavier firepower but require crew-served deployment and are not man-portable in the same way. The SSRS thus occupies a new niche: a shoulder-fired, semi-automatic rifle that combines portability with destructive effect and precision, effectively bridging the gap between grenade launchers and support weapons.

From a strategic perspective, the SSRS could significantly influence infantry doctrine. By equipping squads with accurate medium-range explosive firepower, armies gain the ability to neutralize fortified positions, light vehicles, and aerial threats without relying on heavier support systems. This is particularly relevant in urban warfare and hybrid conflicts, where rapid, precise responses to drones and concealed threats are critical. The system also aligns with broader U.S. and NATO priorities of enhancing soldier overmatch against peer adversaries, who are increasingly investing in advanced protective gear and unmanned platforms. If adopted widely, the SSRS may also encourage allied nations to consider 30 mm systems as a new standard for squad-level support weapons.

The presentation of Barrett’s SSRS at DSEI 2025 signals the emergence of a new category of infantry support weapons that blend precision, modularity, and versatility. By extending the reach of dismounted soldiers and addressing evolving threats such as drones and fortified positions, the SSRS highlights the technological direction of future infantry armament. Its recognition by the U.S. Army and its debut in London underline both its operational potential and its appeal for international markets, positioning it as one of the most notable small-arms innovations of the exhibition.

Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group

Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.