XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon

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	Weapon: XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 2004 Caliber: 25x59mm Action: Gas Operated Fully Automatic Overall Length (mm): 1326.0 Overall Length (in): 52.2 Weight (kg): 23.00 Weight (pounds): 50.71 Effective Range (m): 2000 m Effective Range (yards): 2187.23

The XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon was a prototype 25mm airburst-capable weapon system developed by General Dynamics in partnership with the U.S. Army as part of the Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) program. Designed to replace or supplement the M2 Browning and Mk 19 grenade launcher, the XM307 used a lightweight, dual-feed system capable of firing high-explosive airburst munitions and armor-piercing rounds. It was intended to offer dramatically increased accuracy and lethality against a wide range of targets-including infantry behind cover and light armored vehicles-at ranges up to 2,000 meters. Operated by a two-person crew, the XM307 featured a fire control system with integrated rangefinding and ballistic computation, increasing first-round hit probability.

The XM307 never reached full-rate production. Although prototypes and low-rate production units were completed in the early 2000s, the program was eventually canceled around 2007. The weapon was part of a broader effort that also included the XM312, a .50 caliber variant using the same receiver. Development challenges, including cost overruns, delays, and shifting military priorities during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, contributed to the system's cancellation. While no exact production numbers are publicly confirmed, estimates suggest that fewer than 50 functional prototypes were ever manufactured.

Despite never entering active service, the XM307 garnered attention for its innovative design and ambition to revolutionize infantry support firepower. Its most notable feature-the ability to detonate programmable airburst rounds over enemy positions-represented a significant leap in infantry weapon capability. The concept behind the XM307 helped pave the way for future developments in crew-served and individual airburst weaponry, influencing systems like the XM25 and other next-generation smart munitions. Today, the XM307 is remembered as a bold but ultimately unrealized attempt to redefine battlefield support weapons for the modern era.