Breaking News
Breaking News: U.S. Army Adopts Barrett 30mm Grenade Rifle to Neutralize Drones and Defilade Targets.
According to information published by Barrett Firearms on May 22, 2025, the U.S. Army has officially selected the team composed of Barrett and MARS Inc. as the winner of the xTech Soldier Lethality competition. This initiative, designed to identify innovative solutions to enhance soldier lethality, enabled the development, integration, and demonstration of a new 30mm precision grenade rifle system within just six months as part of the Army's Precision Grenadier System (PGS) program.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Barrett and MARS Inc. win the US Army's xTech competition with a new 30mm grenade rifle designed to defeat drones and defilade targets. (Picture source: Barret)
The PGS program aims to provide soldiers with a portable, shoulder-fired, semi-automatic, magazine-fed weapon system capable of engaging targets protected by cover, such as those hidden behind terrain features, as well as short-range aerial drones. This is made possible through the use of programmable munitions. The system developed by Barrett and MARS Inc., named the 30mm Support Rifle System (SRS), was chosen over FN Herstal's competing proposal, the PGS-001, representing a key milestone toward future deployment.
This cutting-edge 30mm semi-automatic grenade launcher is being developed as part of the U.S. Army’s Precision Grenadier System (PGS) program, with the goal of dramatically enhancing the capabilities of infantry units. Designed to provide a high degree of accuracy, flexibility, and firepower, the SSRS is engineered to engage a broad spectrum of battlefield threats, including targets behind cover and even unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Technically, the SSRS fires 30×42mm grenades and operates via a semi-automatic mechanism. It features a 5-round detachable box magazine and is built with a compact 305mm (12-inch) barrel, contributing to its overall length of just 861mm (33.9 inches). Weighing approximately 6.3 kilograms (13.9 lbs), the weapon balances portability with effectiveness. Its twist rate is set at 1:24 inches, providing optimized projectile stabilization. A key innovation is its integration with the Vortex Optics XM157 fire control system, which combines a ballistic calculator and laser rangefinder. This advanced optic allows soldiers to program airburst munitions, thereby increasing lethality against concealed or entrenched adversaries.
From a design standpoint, the SSRS resembles a standard infantry rifle, featuring an ergonomic handguard and an adjustable stock. This familiar layout ensures a smooth transition for soldiers accustomed to conventional rifles. The compact form factor makes the SSRS well suited to diverse combat scenarios, particularly in urban and close-quarter environments. The Vortex XM157 optic system significantly enhances target acquisition and engagement, especially when combined with the programmable airburst function. The system supports engagements from close range, around 35 meters, up to distances exceeding 500 meters.
A major advantage of the SSRS lies in its versatile ammunition suite. The 30mm grenades offer a favorable balance between explosive payload and weight, enabling soldiers to carry more rounds without sacrificing effectiveness. The launcher can fire multiple munition types, including high-explosive (HE) rounds for general use, airburst rounds for striking enemies in cover, close-quarters combat (CQB) munitions for confined spaces, armor-piercing rounds for light vehicles or fortifications, and specialized rounds designed to counter drone threats.
The SSRS is the result of a joint initiative that merges Barrett’s renowned firearm engineering with MARS Inc.’s innovation, MARS being a recognized finalist in the U.S. Army's xTech Soldier Lethality challenge. This weapon is currently undergoing evaluation within the PGS program, with expected field deployment as early as fiscal year 2026. Its development represents a significant leap in infantry firepower, promising greater lethality, precision, and adaptability on future battlefields.
The SRS is also equipped with the XM157 fire control optic produced by Vortex. This same optic is being used on the Army’s new 6.5mm Next Generation Squad Weapons, including the M7 rifle and M250 machine gun. The system is compatible with a family of ammunition developed by AMTEC Corporation specifically for the program. This includes programmable air-burst high-explosive rounds, proximity-fuzed and point-detonating high explosives, as well as a specialized round for close-quarters combat. Precision Targeting developed the fire control system to match the ballistic characteristics of these munitions.
Initiated in 2023, the xTech competition provided a platform for companies to offer rapid and practical solutions to the Army's evolving operational needs. Barrett demonstrated its ability to collaborate with agile technology partners such as MARS Inc., AMTEC, and Precision Targeting, delivering a fully integrated system in a constrained timeframe. The PGS is intended to strengthen individual soldier firepower in both urban and open environments by enhancing precision, responsiveness, and versatility.
Barrett CEO Bryan James stated that this achievement aligns with the company's history of developing widely adopted weapons including the Model 82 semi-automatic .50 caliber rifle and the MRAD MK 22 multi-caliber sniper rifle. Both are currently in service with the U.S. Army and over 80 allied nations. He emphasized that Barrett's work on the PGS program aims to provide a programmable firing system capable of engaging covered threats and unmanned aerial systems while supporting force protection.
Ryan Krantz, Vice President of Business Development at Barrett, noted that this award highlights the importance of technical capability, coordinated effort, and a shared mission with military partners. The outcome of the SRS development confirms that the defense industry can deliver effective and timely solutions tailored to current combat requirements.
The selection of Barrett and MARS Inc. in the xTech Soldier Lethality competition marks a significant step in modernizing infantry weapons. The 30mm precision grenade system integrates portability, firepower, accuracy, and adaptability to meet the critical demands of modern ground forces. Its inclusion in the PGS program is expected to enhance the tactical effectiveness of U.S. Army personnel across a wide range of combat scenarios.