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javaguru
Banned
Neat little toy, will also have a thermobaric warhead.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m29-oicw.htm
The Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) is the lethality element of the Land Warrior program. It is also planned to be fielded as a stand-alone system. The OICW, recently designated as XM29 by the US Army, is a developmental infantry weapon system that will revolutionize the close combat fight by substantially improving the infantry soldier's effectiveness. The XM29's unique, full-solution target acquisition/fire control system combined with precision 20mm air bursting ammunition provide a significant overmatch capability against today's threats, resulting in a dramatic increase in soldier survivability. The XM29 is one of the premier programs within the new Program Manager Soldier Weapons Office in the Program Executive Office Soldier Systems.
XM29 is an integral part of the Land Warrior system and, as such, will provide a tremendous enhancement in tactical and operational capability when fielded. The XM29 also is planned for introduction into the Objective Force as an individual system for both the Future Combat Soldier and the Objective Force Warrior. In the Objective Force, it will be linked to a networked battlefield environment, further benefiting the overall force capability.
OICW gives the infantry soldier a capability to acquire targets and precisely detonate an air bursting 20mm projectile approximately 1 meter over the threat. It can also detonate on impact. These capabilities are required out to ranges 2–3 times the existing M16/M4/M203 system, or up to 10 football fields. The system provides both an integrated day and night battlefield sight capability allowing effective weapon usage 24 hours a day.
The OICW fires the same round as an M16A2 with the lower barrel, 5.56 mm, and can fire in either a single shot or two-round burst. The upper barrel fires a 20 mm high-explosive air-bursting fragmentation round at a distance of more than half a mile away. A six-round magazine in the butt of the rifle holds the HE rounds. The 20 mm round has a dual warhead which makes it lethal on both sides and gives complete coverage when it explodes. The round is air-bursting, and explodes at 1.5 meters above the target. This works especially well if the enemy is hiding behind an object or is lying prone on the ground.
The OICW has a window mode that can be used to reach the enemy inside a building. A normal round will explode upon impact of a window, limiting its destructive power. In the window mode, once the round strikes the window it delays exploding by a few milliseconds so the lethal area is increased inside a room. The round can also go through thin metal with the same effect. A safety mode does exist, in that the rounds have an 8-second self-destruct mode. After being fired, the round will explode in 8 seconds regardless of impact. This insures that no unexploded rounds are left on the battle field.
The sight of the OICW uses Direct View Optics with Video Enhancements. The Direct View Optics will be similar to looking at a television screen. The image can be magnified three times and will include an electronic compass on the screen.
The XM29 has a dual semi-automatic over and under configuration capable of firing 20mm air bursting ammunition or NATO standard kinetic energy 5.56mm ammunition. Both weapons are magazine-fed, providing the combat soldier an operational firepower advantage over current single shot systems. The full-solution target acquisition fire control has a laser range finder, direct view optics, integrated thermal imager, ballistic computer, fuze setter, environmental sensors, and compass. The precision 20mm ammunition includes High Explosive Air Bursting (HEAB) and Target Practice (TP) variants. The system has been demonstrated at ranges two to three times the current 40mm system to accurately deliver an air burst one meter over the lased target on the first shot fired.
The system should be rugged enough to withstand military use, including airborne and shipboard operations without degradation of the OICW s performance. The OICW will be effective from the standing, crouching, kneeling, sitting, prone, and foxhole positions.
The OICW weapon will consist of two separable subsystems, an HE module, and a KE module, with a single trigger and selector switch that operate both subsystems and interacts with the TA/FCS automatic fuze programming. The KE module will utilize standard 5.56mm ammunition and have semi-automatic and burst modes equivalent to the M4 carbine. The HE subsystem will fire the HEAB ammunition in all four fuzing modes. The weapon will be as reliable as the M16 rifle/M4.
The full-solution fire control begins with the soldier lasing to the target for a range reading. The range is fed into the ballistic computer, and the data is transmitted to the HEAB round inductively. The fire control system provides the appropriate adjusted aim point for the target to the chambered round. The round is fired and explodes at the precise range over the target with devastating effect. The system provides greater than five times the lethality at twice the range of today's conventional systems and, at the same time, reduces soldier combat exposure time, enhancing survivability.
The ruggedized, compact, single, integrated full solution day/night target acquisition/fire control system (TA/FCS) capable of operations without environmentally caused degradation of performance. The TA/FCS will have a direct view powered optic mode, thermal sighting mode, and a television/camera mode all with automatic, ballistically adjusted reticles. It will include a laser range finder; a compass, cant and inclinometer; an environmental sensor suite; a combat identification module and an infrared aiming light; laser illuminator pointer; and embedded training. It will include automatic fuze programming to arm the HEAB in any of the following modes: burst, point detonating, point detonating delay and window (detonating delay after passing through a window). It will contain a full ballistic algorithm to facilitate accurate placement of the airburst munition on target incorporating data from environmental and attitude sensors.
OICWs weight fielding goal of 14 pounds is 10 to 30% less weight than the current M16/M4/M203 systems. When comparable features such as Thermal Weapon Sight, Optic Sight, Rails, Aiming Light, Leaf Sight and Laser are added, the standard infantry soldier carries 15 to 19 pounds. This weight includes only 1 (30 round) magazine of the 5.56mm and 1 round of 40mm HE ammo. The OICW’s 20mm HE round weighs only 1/4 pound compared to the M203’s 40mm round weight of 1/2 pound – a 50% comparison weight savings with substantially more effectiveness. The 18 rounds of 40mm ammunition in a soldier’s vest weigh 9 pounds. If a soldier was carrying 18 rounds of 20mm the weight is 4 1/2 pounds.
The M203 40mm combat round costs approximately $20. OICW’s 20mm round was projected in FY99 to be $20-$30 each. Cost effectiveness is a critical measurement to consider. Given OICW’s significant edge in effectiveness (5 times more at 300 meters) an engagement cost for the existing M203 would be $80-100 to achieve what a single $30 OICW round can do.
While an M16 costs under $1000, OICW may cost $10,000. That is because OICW is a single system consisting of a fire control and combinatorial weapon. The functions contained within the system include the "add-ons" now used on the M16 or M4 such as optics, thermal weapon system, and aim light. With these functional add-ons, the existing M16/M4/203 system cost exceeds $35,000 each.
The current XM29 program is focused on verifying system safety and launching into the full scale engineering design of the weapon, fire control, and ammunition. In tests concluded in January 2002, over 180 rounds of ammunition were fired to confirm air burst accuracy, system safety, and environmental assessment at ranges of 100, 350 and 500 meters. The testing verified the ammunition passed all safety requirements, leading to an "okay to proceed" from the Army Fuze Safety Board. In addition, multiple operational modes and functional capabilities were demonstrated, including precision turns count fuzing, point detonation, self-destruct, and short arm. The short arm mode provides the soldier a unique capability for the MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) environment. Further, the fuze provides for self-destruct and self-neutralization to provide a safer battlefield for the infantry as they move forward. The XM29 has now demonstrated the integrated system capability "end to end" on three different test sequences over the multiple phases of the program. These results validate that it is technically low risk to field this leap-ahead capability in shoulder-fired HEAB ammunition.
The target acquisition fire control is being upgraded, primarily focusing on reducing weight by integrating the latest laser, sensor, optics, electronics, and material technologies. It incorporates improved, low-weight optics for daylight viewing and integrated thermal optics for use at night. As the lethal element of the Land Warrior, it has been designed to integrate with the Land Warrior, allowing the XM29 to communicate from the fire control to the Land Warrior heads-up display and also to accommodate power sharing between systems.
The weapon is also being upgraded with a focus on weight reduction and ruggedization. Weight optimization is the primary driver for every weapon piece part and component. The program team is evaluating alternate weapon operating principles that support weight reduction. Additional enhancements are also being made to ensure ruggedness and boresight retention between the 5.56mm barrel, 20mm barrel, and fire control.
Initial fielding of the XM29 is currently scheduled for GFY08. The XM29 program has implemented a block upgrade or "evolutionary" approach to fielding the weapon system. This encompasses an "initial fielding" of a "Block 1" system, which is designed to enable insertion of future technology enhancements. This approach will expedite completion and qualification of the initial Block 1 design, while preplanning future upgrades, such as advances in sensors and electronics technologies, MEMS fuze elements, advanced composites and materials, fuel cells, Nano technologies, ceramic gun barrels, wireless connectors, and future digital technology. These enhancements will help further reduce system weight, increase lethality, improve ruggedness, and increase system reliability and effectiveness beyond the Block 1 design. The XM29 project schedule is aligned so the First Unit Equipped (FUE) supports the fielding of the Future Combat System (FCS). This positions the Block 1 XM29 FUE in GFY08.
The OICW will not replace all of the M16s/M4s. The current U.S. Army Basis of Issue (BOI) is 4 OICW weapon systems per 9-man squad.
ATK Integrated Defense, Plymouth, Minnesota, is the XM29 system integrator and provider of the 20mm HEAB ammunition. Brashear, LP of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is responsible for the target acquisition fire control. Heckler and Koch (H&K) of Germany is the weapon system developer and manufacturer, and Omega, Columbus, Georgia, is responsible for training concept planning. This integrated team has worked together for several years, bringing the system through the concept development and proof of principle phases into the current system development phase. Recently, the program successfully passed the Milestone 1a decision, clearing the path for final development and fabrication of the initial Block 1 weapon system.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m29-oicw.htm
The Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) is the lethality element of the Land Warrior program. It is also planned to be fielded as a stand-alone system. The OICW, recently designated as XM29 by the US Army, is a developmental infantry weapon system that will revolutionize the close combat fight by substantially improving the infantry soldier's effectiveness. The XM29's unique, full-solution target acquisition/fire control system combined with precision 20mm air bursting ammunition provide a significant overmatch capability against today's threats, resulting in a dramatic increase in soldier survivability. The XM29 is one of the premier programs within the new Program Manager Soldier Weapons Office in the Program Executive Office Soldier Systems.
XM29 is an integral part of the Land Warrior system and, as such, will provide a tremendous enhancement in tactical and operational capability when fielded. The XM29 also is planned for introduction into the Objective Force as an individual system for both the Future Combat Soldier and the Objective Force Warrior. In the Objective Force, it will be linked to a networked battlefield environment, further benefiting the overall force capability.
OICW gives the infantry soldier a capability to acquire targets and precisely detonate an air bursting 20mm projectile approximately 1 meter over the threat. It can also detonate on impact. These capabilities are required out to ranges 2–3 times the existing M16/M4/M203 system, or up to 10 football fields. The system provides both an integrated day and night battlefield sight capability allowing effective weapon usage 24 hours a day.
The OICW fires the same round as an M16A2 with the lower barrel, 5.56 mm, and can fire in either a single shot or two-round burst. The upper barrel fires a 20 mm high-explosive air-bursting fragmentation round at a distance of more than half a mile away. A six-round magazine in the butt of the rifle holds the HE rounds. The 20 mm round has a dual warhead which makes it lethal on both sides and gives complete coverage when it explodes. The round is air-bursting, and explodes at 1.5 meters above the target. This works especially well if the enemy is hiding behind an object or is lying prone on the ground.
The OICW has a window mode that can be used to reach the enemy inside a building. A normal round will explode upon impact of a window, limiting its destructive power. In the window mode, once the round strikes the window it delays exploding by a few milliseconds so the lethal area is increased inside a room. The round can also go through thin metal with the same effect. A safety mode does exist, in that the rounds have an 8-second self-destruct mode. After being fired, the round will explode in 8 seconds regardless of impact. This insures that no unexploded rounds are left on the battle field.
The sight of the OICW uses Direct View Optics with Video Enhancements. The Direct View Optics will be similar to looking at a television screen. The image can be magnified three times and will include an electronic compass on the screen.
The XM29 has a dual semi-automatic over and under configuration capable of firing 20mm air bursting ammunition or NATO standard kinetic energy 5.56mm ammunition. Both weapons are magazine-fed, providing the combat soldier an operational firepower advantage over current single shot systems. The full-solution target acquisition fire control has a laser range finder, direct view optics, integrated thermal imager, ballistic computer, fuze setter, environmental sensors, and compass. The precision 20mm ammunition includes High Explosive Air Bursting (HEAB) and Target Practice (TP) variants. The system has been demonstrated at ranges two to three times the current 40mm system to accurately deliver an air burst one meter over the lased target on the first shot fired.
The system should be rugged enough to withstand military use, including airborne and shipboard operations without degradation of the OICW s performance. The OICW will be effective from the standing, crouching, kneeling, sitting, prone, and foxhole positions.
The OICW weapon will consist of two separable subsystems, an HE module, and a KE module, with a single trigger and selector switch that operate both subsystems and interacts with the TA/FCS automatic fuze programming. The KE module will utilize standard 5.56mm ammunition and have semi-automatic and burst modes equivalent to the M4 carbine. The HE subsystem will fire the HEAB ammunition in all four fuzing modes. The weapon will be as reliable as the M16 rifle/M4.
The full-solution fire control begins with the soldier lasing to the target for a range reading. The range is fed into the ballistic computer, and the data is transmitted to the HEAB round inductively. The fire control system provides the appropriate adjusted aim point for the target to the chambered round. The round is fired and explodes at the precise range over the target with devastating effect. The system provides greater than five times the lethality at twice the range of today's conventional systems and, at the same time, reduces soldier combat exposure time, enhancing survivability.
The ruggedized, compact, single, integrated full solution day/night target acquisition/fire control system (TA/FCS) capable of operations without environmentally caused degradation of performance. The TA/FCS will have a direct view powered optic mode, thermal sighting mode, and a television/camera mode all with automatic, ballistically adjusted reticles. It will include a laser range finder; a compass, cant and inclinometer; an environmental sensor suite; a combat identification module and an infrared aiming light; laser illuminator pointer; and embedded training. It will include automatic fuze programming to arm the HEAB in any of the following modes: burst, point detonating, point detonating delay and window (detonating delay after passing through a window). It will contain a full ballistic algorithm to facilitate accurate placement of the airburst munition on target incorporating data from environmental and attitude sensors.
OICWs weight fielding goal of 14 pounds is 10 to 30% less weight than the current M16/M4/M203 systems. When comparable features such as Thermal Weapon Sight, Optic Sight, Rails, Aiming Light, Leaf Sight and Laser are added, the standard infantry soldier carries 15 to 19 pounds. This weight includes only 1 (30 round) magazine of the 5.56mm and 1 round of 40mm HE ammo. The OICW’s 20mm HE round weighs only 1/4 pound compared to the M203’s 40mm round weight of 1/2 pound – a 50% comparison weight savings with substantially more effectiveness. The 18 rounds of 40mm ammunition in a soldier’s vest weigh 9 pounds. If a soldier was carrying 18 rounds of 20mm the weight is 4 1/2 pounds.
The M203 40mm combat round costs approximately $20. OICW’s 20mm round was projected in FY99 to be $20-$30 each. Cost effectiveness is a critical measurement to consider. Given OICW’s significant edge in effectiveness (5 times more at 300 meters) an engagement cost for the existing M203 would be $80-100 to achieve what a single $30 OICW round can do.
While an M16 costs under $1000, OICW may cost $10,000. That is because OICW is a single system consisting of a fire control and combinatorial weapon. The functions contained within the system include the "add-ons" now used on the M16 or M4 such as optics, thermal weapon system, and aim light. With these functional add-ons, the existing M16/M4/203 system cost exceeds $35,000 each.
The current XM29 program is focused on verifying system safety and launching into the full scale engineering design of the weapon, fire control, and ammunition. In tests concluded in January 2002, over 180 rounds of ammunition were fired to confirm air burst accuracy, system safety, and environmental assessment at ranges of 100, 350 and 500 meters. The testing verified the ammunition passed all safety requirements, leading to an "okay to proceed" from the Army Fuze Safety Board. In addition, multiple operational modes and functional capabilities were demonstrated, including precision turns count fuzing, point detonation, self-destruct, and short arm. The short arm mode provides the soldier a unique capability for the MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) environment. Further, the fuze provides for self-destruct and self-neutralization to provide a safer battlefield for the infantry as they move forward. The XM29 has now demonstrated the integrated system capability "end to end" on three different test sequences over the multiple phases of the program. These results validate that it is technically low risk to field this leap-ahead capability in shoulder-fired HEAB ammunition.
The target acquisition fire control is being upgraded, primarily focusing on reducing weight by integrating the latest laser, sensor, optics, electronics, and material technologies. It incorporates improved, low-weight optics for daylight viewing and integrated thermal optics for use at night. As the lethal element of the Land Warrior, it has been designed to integrate with the Land Warrior, allowing the XM29 to communicate from the fire control to the Land Warrior heads-up display and also to accommodate power sharing between systems.
The weapon is also being upgraded with a focus on weight reduction and ruggedization. Weight optimization is the primary driver for every weapon piece part and component. The program team is evaluating alternate weapon operating principles that support weight reduction. Additional enhancements are also being made to ensure ruggedness and boresight retention between the 5.56mm barrel, 20mm barrel, and fire control.
Initial fielding of the XM29 is currently scheduled for GFY08. The XM29 program has implemented a block upgrade or "evolutionary" approach to fielding the weapon system. This encompasses an "initial fielding" of a "Block 1" system, which is designed to enable insertion of future technology enhancements. This approach will expedite completion and qualification of the initial Block 1 design, while preplanning future upgrades, such as advances in sensors and electronics technologies, MEMS fuze elements, advanced composites and materials, fuel cells, Nano technologies, ceramic gun barrels, wireless connectors, and future digital technology. These enhancements will help further reduce system weight, increase lethality, improve ruggedness, and increase system reliability and effectiveness beyond the Block 1 design. The XM29 project schedule is aligned so the First Unit Equipped (FUE) supports the fielding of the Future Combat System (FCS). This positions the Block 1 XM29 FUE in GFY08.
The OICW will not replace all of the M16s/M4s. The current U.S. Army Basis of Issue (BOI) is 4 OICW weapon systems per 9-man squad.
ATK Integrated Defense, Plymouth, Minnesota, is the XM29 system integrator and provider of the 20mm HEAB ammunition. Brashear, LP of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is responsible for the target acquisition fire control. Heckler and Koch (H&K) of Germany is the weapon system developer and manufacturer, and Omega, Columbus, Georgia, is responsible for training concept planning. This integrated team has worked together for several years, bringing the system through the concept development and proof of principle phases into the current system development phase. Recently, the program successfully passed the Milestone 1a decision, clearing the path for final development and fabrication of the initial Block 1 weapon system.
