XM29 OICW
Encyclopedia
The XM29 OICW was a series of prototypes of a new type of battle rifle that fired 20 mm HE airbursting projectiles
. The prototypes were developed as part of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon program
in the 1990s. The term SABR (Selectable Assault Battle Rifle) was also used at certain points, but is less common.
, with Heckler & Koch
as a major subcontractor, the most commonly seen version of the XM29 consisted of a semi-automatic
20x28 mm smart grenade launcher, an underslung assault carbine
(derived from the HK G36
then in its late developmental stage) firing a standard 5.56x45mm NATO
round, and a top-mounted computer-assisted sighting system with integrated laser rangefinder, thermal vision night vision
capabilities, and up to 6x optical telescopic sight. Earlier designs used different configurations and setups.
The launcher part has been described variously as a light semi-automatic 20 mm cannon, a grenade launcher, or an airburst weapon. It poses a classification problem, in that it does not fit neatly into any one category. On one hand, it uses much smaller shells and has a much flatter trajectory than grenade launchers. On the other, while its calibre and velocity is more similar to light cannon, it does share traits with other infantry grenade launchers.
Various problems have effectively ended the program as it was originally envisioned, including weight, bulk, and lack of effectiveness of the 20x28 mm airburst round. Upon cancellation in 2004, it was split into three related programs. OICW Increment One is a program to develop a family of light kinetic energy weapons, OICW Increment Two is a program to develop the airburst grenade launcher as a standalone component, and OICW Increment Three will be a program to re-integrate the two components. The XM8
was developed in an attempt to meet Increment One requirements. Instead a new program known as Lightweight Small Arms Technologies
(LSAT) was begun. Meanwhile, the XM25
25x39 mm airburst launcher began development to meet the Increment Two requirements. Increment Three will not be initiated until after One and Two are completed.
The OICW Increment I Request for Proposals was cancelled in October 2005, while development of the 25x40 mm XM25
continued, and the 25x59 mm OCSW
program as well until its termination. It is not clear if LSAT is intended to meet the goals of OICW Increment I or if it is a stand-alone weapon system. However, for all intents and purposes, the OICW program is dead.
Airburst round
An airburst round, air burst grenade, or smart grenade is a type of explosive ammunition, typically a shell or grenade, that detonates in midair, causing air burst effect shrapnel damage to an enemy. This makes it easier to hit enemy soldiers behind a wall, in a Defensive fighting position, or in a...
. The prototypes were developed as part of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon program
Objective Individual Combat Weapon program
The Objective Individual Combat Weapon or OICW was the next-generation service rifle competition that was under development as part of the United States Army OICW program; the program was eventually discontinued without bringing the weapon out of the prototype phase...
in the 1990s. The term SABR (Selectable Assault Battle Rifle) was also used at certain points, but is less common.
Overview
Developed by Alliant TechsystemsAlliant Techsystems
Alliant Techsystems Inc., most commonly known by its ticker symbol, ', is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and 2010 revenues in excess of an estimated...
, with Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch GmbH is a German defense manufacturing company that produces various small arms. Some of their products include the SA80, MP5 submachine gun, G3 automatic rifle, the G36 assault rifle, the HK 416, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the USP series of handguns, and the high-precision...
as a major subcontractor, the most commonly seen version of the XM29 consisted of a semi-automatic
Semi-automatic firearm
A semi-automatic, or self-loading firearm is a weapon which performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing—assuming cartridges remain in the weapon's feed device or magazine...
20x28 mm smart grenade launcher, an underslung assault carbine
Carbine
A carbine , from French carabine, is a longarm similar to but shorter than a rifle or musket. Many carbines are shortened versions of full rifles, firing the same ammunition at a lower velocity due to a shorter barrel length....
(derived from the HK G36
Heckler & Koch G36
The Heckler & Koch G36 is a 5.56×45mm assault rifle, designed in the early 1990s by Heckler & Koch in Germany as a replacement for the 7.62mm G3 battle rifle. It was accepted into service with the Bundeswehr in 1997, replacing the G3...
then in its late developmental stage) firing a standard 5.56x45mm NATO
5.56x45mm NATO
5.56×45mm NATO is a rifle cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It is derived from, but not identical to, the .223 Remington cartridge...
round, and a top-mounted computer-assisted sighting system with integrated laser rangefinder, thermal vision night vision
Night vision
Night vision is the ability to see in low light conditions. Whether by biological or technological means, night vision is made possible by a combination of two approaches: sufficient spectral range, and sufficient intensity range...
capabilities, and up to 6x optical telescopic sight. Earlier designs used different configurations and setups.
The launcher part has been described variously as a light semi-automatic 20 mm cannon, a grenade launcher, or an airburst weapon. It poses a classification problem, in that it does not fit neatly into any one category. On one hand, it uses much smaller shells and has a much flatter trajectory than grenade launchers. On the other, while its calibre and velocity is more similar to light cannon, it does share traits with other infantry grenade launchers.
Various problems have effectively ended the program as it was originally envisioned, including weight, bulk, and lack of effectiveness of the 20x28 mm airburst round. Upon cancellation in 2004, it was split into three related programs. OICW Increment One is a program to develop a family of light kinetic energy weapons, OICW Increment Two is a program to develop the airburst grenade launcher as a standalone component, and OICW Increment Three will be a program to re-integrate the two components. The XM8
XM8 rifle
The XM8 was a developmental U.S. Military designation and project name for a lightweight assault rifle system that was under development by the United States Army from the late 1990s to early 2000s...
was developed in an attempt to meet Increment One requirements. Instead a new program known as Lightweight Small Arms Technologies
Lightweight Small Arms Technologies
The Lightweight Small Arms Technologies program is funded by the U.S. Joint Service Small Arms Program, with the goal of significantly reducing the weight of small arms and their ammunition...
(LSAT) was begun. Meanwhile, the XM25
XM25
The XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System, also known as the Punisher, Individual Semiautomatic Air Burst System, and the Bowling Tube is an air burst grenade launcher derived from the XM29 OICW...
25x39 mm airburst launcher began development to meet the Increment Two requirements. Increment Three will not be initiated until after One and Two are completed.
The OICW Increment I Request for Proposals was cancelled in October 2005, while development of the 25x40 mm XM25
XM25
The XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System, also known as the Punisher, Individual Semiautomatic Air Burst System, and the Bowling Tube is an air burst grenade launcher derived from the XM29 OICW...
continued, and the 25x59 mm OCSW
OCSW
The OCSW was a U.S. Military arms program started in the 1980s that led to a hybrid smaller prototype automatic autocannon developed by General Dynamics Armament Systems...
program as well until its termination. It is not clear if LSAT is intended to meet the goals of OICW Increment I or if it is a stand-alone weapon system. However, for all intents and purposes, the OICW program is dead.
See also
- PAPOPPAPOPThe PAPOP is a French project to construct a computerised multi-usage infantry weapon for the FÉLIN system, capable of hitting hidden or protected targets...
- TVGK
- 80.00280.002The 80.002 is a combined Assault Rifle/Grenade Launcher based on the AK platform that pre-dated the similar OICW. In developing this set of designers participated V. Minaev, VI Chelikin, GA Jan. The main difference from the Kalashnikov is the presence of weapons of two adjacent shafts 5.45 mm and...
- S&T Daewoo K11
- Advanced Individual Combat WeaponAdvanced Individual Combat WeaponThe Advanced Infantry Combat Weapon was a prototype assault rifle based on the F88 Austeyr being developed in Australia. The AICW combines a standard 5.56 mm assault rifle with a multiple-shot grenade launcher....