PGS-001 and SSRS: Are These Grenade Launchers Successes or Duds?

“Punisher,” the action-packed Marvel Comics franchise featuring revenge-seeking protagonist Frank Castle, is a hugely successful comic book franchise. However, one real-life “Punisher” Grenade launcher XM25 25×40 mmpotential successor M203 40 mm grenade launcher and M320 grenade launcher, turned out to be a malfunction.

There are now two new weapon systems aiming to succeed where the XM25 “Punisher” failed: Squad Support Rifle System (USSR) and PGS-001.

Basic premise

According to Joseph Trevithick of The WarZone in a November 17, 2024 article titled “One of these futuristic grenade launchers could succeed where the military’s ‘Punisher’ failed”, and SSRS and PGS-001 are finalists of the ua US Army‘with xTechSoldier deadly challenge. This challenge is a military ploy to design a high-tech 30mm precision grenadier system (PGS) that troops could use to attack targets ranging from enemy personnel behind cover to light armored vehicles to unmanned aerial vehicles. The demand to crack down on drones is something that has actually existed before, but it exists it also now takes on a far greater sense of urgency per the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Additional requirements for the PGS program include:

-A “Counter Defilade Round” aerial blast that can “accurately and quickly defeat personnel targets” behind cover.

– Overall length of 34 inches (60.96 centimeters) or less.

– Maximum weight of 14.5 pounds (6.57 kilograms).

-Minimum effective range of 1640 feet (500 meters).

As the contract command of the army prescribed ua contracting notice from February 2023:

“The PGS will be a man-portable integrated weapon system that enables precision strikes to destroy human targets in the field and in the open with increased lethality and accuracy compared to the legacy M203/M320 grenade launchers… The PGS will provide superiority over comparable grenade launchers for the threat in close formations in future operational environments (jungle, urban, forest area, underground, desert, day/night/darkened). The PGS is envisioned to consist of a weapon, fire control, and ammunition kit that allows the user to engage targets in defilade/cover, hovering UAS targets, breaching doors, engaging close combat targets, and lightly armored targets.”

Finalist #1: SSRS

SSRS is a joint venture between Barrett Firearms, best known for its legendary firearms M82 .50 caliber riflesand MARS, Inc. Tandem showed the model at the main annual conference of the Association of the American Army (AUSA) in October 2024. The model had the following features and specifications:

· Caliber and capacity: 30x42mm projectiles in a five-round magazine (NOTE: this is a big step up from the single-round capacity of the M203)

on Types of ammunition: high-explosive, incendiary, armor-piercing, dedicated training rounds, “close combat” (CQB) shell (round canister like shot)

· Weight: Just under 14 lbs (6.35 kg)

· Emulating pistol grip, trigger assembly and fire control switch Rifle series AR-15/M16/M4

· Upper rail for attaching optics such as Vortex optics XM157

Finalist #2: PGS-001

PGS-001 comes courtesy of FN AmericaAmerican branch of the famous Belgian small arms company Fabrique National Herstal (best known for Battle rifle FAL 7.62×51 mm and P-35 Browning Hi-Power 9mm semi-automatic pistol). The company presented its PGS-001 model at last year’s AUSA fair.

As far as can be determined, the FN offering also fires some sort of 30mm projectile. However, Trevithick notes that specifics are known less available than in the case of the Barrett/MARS offering, but the layout is similar to the SSRS and can also accommodate the XM157 optic. The PGS-001 differs from the SSRS in its large barrel brake, which would help mitigate recoil (especially useful for firing rapid shots), but at the cost of significant barrel shock and flash.

The way forward?

SSRS and PGS-001 are considered two finalists. Trevithick notes that there is still at least an outside possibility for some dark horse candidates such as:

–American ammunition Rheinmetall A squad support weapon that achieves the objectives of the precision grenadier system.

–Knight technical solutions (not to be confused with Knight’s Armament Company) Multipurpose Intelligent Grenade System (MIGS) (a revolver with six bullets-type design).

–Plumb Precision Products P3-M110 17.5 mm (although, frankly, that caliber sounds more than small for the needs of the military).

Time will tell.

About the author: Christian D. Orr

Christian D. Orr is a senior defense editor for Journal of National Security (NSJ). He is a former Air Force security officer, federal law enforcement officer, and private military entrepreneur (with assignments in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany, and the Pentagon). Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Southern California (USC) and a master’s degree in intelligence studies (concentration in terrorism studies) from the American Military University (AMU). It was also published in The Daily Torch , Journal of Intelligence and Cybersecurityand Simple flying. Last but not least, he is a follower of the Order Naval Order of the United States (NOUS).

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