this post was submitted on 09 Dec 2023
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The program didn't want to leave a soldier without a rifle, and having somebody carry a separate launcher and rifle would have been more total bulk and weight. By having one weapon, it shared an optic and a stock for example, rather than having separate ones.
A magazine feed smart launcher and assault rifle in one package was never able to be turned into a practical design, which is why the US never fielded any OICWs in combat. When the US finally admitted the combo weapon idea was unworkable, they ended up turning the grenade launcher into its own weapon, the XM25. The XM25 was a lot sleeker, used more modern electronics, and fired slightly bigger grenades (25mm opposed to the XM29 OICW's 20mm).
The XM25 did actually see some limited combat use. Reported opinions were mixed, some conventional units really liked it, Rangers reportedly thought it was dead weight.
From the few pictures avalible it looks like the XM25 was either carried with no alternative weapon, or just a pistol issued.
The XM25 was eventually canceled for lack of interest, and officially because of safety concerns about the grenades.
Other countries have tried different versions of the idea. The French PAPOP being one of a number of examples
China tried with their QTS-11, which removed the magazine and semi auto function entirely from the launcher and made it a single shot bolt action. It is apparently still in Chinese service.
Thanks, this is great!
The issues with such a combo weapon do seem kind of obvious however.
I suppose the goal would have been to iterate and try to get it small enough. The XM29 weighed about 17 pounds loaded, an M16A4 with an M203 and say an LPVO weighs in the ballpark of 13 or 14 pounds. Obviously the XM29 is heavier, but I think that weight was just close enough to practical to keep interest in it alive given the allure of semi-auto smart grenade capability.
Dis bonjour à ma baguette.