Many observers have indicated dismay that the Colt-Northrop Grumman system lost to the Barrett platform in a recent test.
Drone warfare is the wave of the future. Dozens of innovative and forward-thinking defense planners—notably including serial entrepreneur and SpaceX head Elon Musk—have castigated the Pentagon for its desire to build new manned warplanes and other manned systems at a time when unmanned systems are dominating the modern battlefield.
The US Army senses the shift from manned to unmanned platforms, though. Under the aegis of Big Green’s Precision Grenadier System (PGS) program, a shoulder-fired grenade launcher developed jointly by Colt and Northrop Grumman, known as the Precision Grenade Launcher, has arisen with great promise.
The “Precision Grenade Launcher” Is an Amazing Weapon
A cutting-edge 25mm weapon system meant to replace outdated Army weapons like the M203 and M320 grenade launchers, the Precision Grenade Launcher (PGL) offers unprecedented accuracy, versatility, and—most importantly—counter-drone defenses. As conflicts like the Ukraine War highlight the need for precision munitions against aerial and defilade targets, the PGS program represents the Army’s great contribution to countering these newfound threats.
The development of the Colt and Northrop Grumman Precision Grenade Launcher stems from lessons learned from previous failed experiments. The US Army’s earlier attempt, the XM25 Punisher, was a 25mm air-burst grenade launcher; although the system showed promise, it was canceled in 2018 due to excessive weight, high costs, and reliability issues. Building on this, the PGS program was launched in 2023 under the Army’s xTech Soldier Lethality competition, inviting industry partners to prototype next-generation grenade launchers.
Colt, renowned for its firearms expertise, partnered with Northrop Grumman, a leader in advanced munitions and guidance systems, to create a lightweight, portable solution. Northrop focuses on the ammunition, while Colt handles the weapon platform. This collaboration addresses the Army’s call for a system that bridges the gap between traditional 40mm launchers and more advanced, programmable weapons.
The Precision Grenade Launcher Looks Futuristic—Because It Is
At its core, the PGL is a semi-automatic, magazine-fed 25mm system designed for shoulder-fired operation. Weighing under 15 pounds and measuring less than 34 inches in length, it meets the requirements for mobility without compromising firepower. The launcher itself features a 14-to-15-inch barrel and a five-round box magazine, allowing rapid follow-up shots.
Unlike the arced trajectories of 40mm rounds from the aforementioned M203 or M320, this 25mm high-velocity grenade launcher fires along a flatter path, reducing time-of-flight and improving hit probability. Its effective range starts at around 1,640 feet, extending up to 3,280 feet for longer-range engagements—making it ideal for squad-level operations in diverse environments like urban areas, jungles, or deserts.
What sets this grenade launcher apart is its smart ammunition suite, developed by Northrop Grumman. The family includes High-Explosive Air Burst (HEAB) rounds that detonate above concealed targets, Proximity (PROX) fuzes for anti-drone roles, Close Quarters Battle (CQB) shotgun-like canisters, armor-piercing variants, and training projectiles. In other words, it looks like something one would expect to see in Judge Dredd’s arsenal, not just the US Army’s.
The air-burst technology is particularly important, as it allows soldiers to program rounds to explode at precise distances, defeating enemies in defilade or behind cover. Integrated optics, such as the Vortex XM157 computerized sight or Smartshooter’s SMASH series, enhance targeting with ballistic calculations and threat detection. These features make the launcher a versatile tool to counter drones, a growing necessity amid their proliferation in conflicts in Ukraine.
Colt and Northrop’s Precision Guided Launcher could very well become the primary weapon for infantrymen, emphasizing organic, close-range lethality without hindering mobility. It aims to overmatch near-peer adversaries enabling rapid, precise strikes in day, night, or obscured conditions.
Will the PGL Ever Actually Be Made?
Unlike legacy systems limited to point-detonating or timed fuzes, the PGL incorporates intelligent guidance for multi-role engagements. What’s more, the program’s focus on counter-UAS stems from real-world observations, such as Russian drone swarms, prompting the Army to prioritize prototypes that can neutralize Group One and Two UAVs at the squad level.
In April of this year, a mockup of the weapon was displayed at the Modern Day Marine exposition. It was equipped with advanced optics and drew interest from US Army officials. In May, Northrop released a video of the first live-fire tests of the new weapon, highlighting its accuracy and recoil management.
These events underscore the system’s progress, but it faced unexpected competition. The PGS competition initially featured five teams, narrowing finalists including FN America’s PGS-001 and Barrett Firearms’ Squad Support Rifle System (SSRS) with MARS, Inc. Notably, Barrett and MARS won the xTech challenge with their 30mm variant.
Many observers have indicated dismay that the Colt-Northrop Grumman system lost to the Barrett platform. Indeed, the Colt and Northrop platform was superior in many respects to the Barrett and MARS system. This wouldn’t be the first time, though, that Army judges chose the wrong system. Just think of the race between the YF-22 and YF-23 for the Air Force’s fifth-generation air superiority fighter program. The YF-23 was superior, but the YF-22 won out. One must hope that soldiers in a future war do not end up paying the price for the Army’s selection.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Getmilitaryphotos.
