Troops performed trials from the 59th Combat Engineer
Company-Armoured (CEC-A), 36th Engineer Brigade, U.S. Army Operational Test
Command (OTC) at Texas Ford Hood.
OTC explained that the XM204 was installed by hand. This
munition that can be described as a mine will launch into the air and strike
its target like an armoured vehicle from above. Testing of the new weapons was
carried out for six days and nights.
The U.S. Army places more than 20 obstacles in various
positions to create an operationally realistic enemy, including traditional
wire barriers and minefields.
Troops then tested the XM204's ability to destroy enemies,
including changing their route.
The test data and feedback by the army will feed into the
decisions of senior Army leaders to make informed decisions regarding equipment
production.
Last month, Textron Systems won a five-year, USD
353.98 million unlimited production contract (IDIQ) from the U.S. Army for the
XM204 attack munition and its training. The XM204 munitions are
scheduled to be delivered in 2023 for an initial operational capability (IOC) declaration.
