The United States Armed Forces is one of the best trained and equipped militaries in the world. To maintain our edge it is important that our military leadership ensures that our service members have weapons systems. Weapons systems that are versatile and effective enough to engage and destroy our enemies across the full spectrum of operations. Should the XM-25 weapon system replace the M203 grenade launcher? While the XM-25 is an effective weapons system, due to its limited engagement capabilities, cost, and limited unit maintenance capabilities, the XM-25 is not expected to replace the M203. The XM-25 was specifically designed with the ability to engage an enemy target in a defiled or covered position. A person shooting from a defiled or covered position gains a tactical advantage if his enemy does not have the ability to penetrate his defenses by his own organic means. The XM-25, when used correctly, is accurate against point targets at 500 meters and area targets at 700 meters. The M203, when properly deployed, can effectively hit targets up to 400 meters. Without a doubt, the longer range and specific design of the XM-25 make it more effective at engaging defiling targets than the M203. The XM-25 has its limitations. Currently, ammunition for the XM-25 is limited to 25 mm high explosive shells (HEAB). The M203 gains an edge in versatility with its ability to fire eight different types of rounds. The M20 40mm ammunition type includes high-explosive, dual-purpose high-explosive, lighting, signal, tear gas (corobenzalmalonitrile/CS), buckshot, and non-lethal projectiles. Additional types of 25mm projectiles may be developed in the future to augment the current HEAB projectile. A...... middle of paper ...... 0 blocks of instructions) Matthew Cox "New http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/05/army_weapons_051510w/www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/oicw-program.htmRaymond Piper "XM25 feedback demonstrates lethality" accessed on the Internet on the 7th October 11 at http://www.army.mil/article/66968/XM25_feedback_demonstrates_lethality/Marcus Weisgerber “DoD No 2: Army, weapons could be cut” Army Times, 3 October 2011, accessed on the Internet 7 October 11 all 'address http:/ /www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/10/military-defense-william-lynn-army-weapons-could-get-slashed-100311w/IbidLance M. Bacon "Punisher gets first Battlefield test" . Army Times, 12 February 2011 (provided in briefing paper submitted by MAJ JL Hammond for Instruction Block F100)