A participant emplaces an XM204 Top Attack Munition at Fort Hood, Texas, during an operational assessment. Credit: Mr. Tad Browning, Audiovisual Production Specialist, U.S. Army Operational Test Command.

The US Army Operational Test Command (OTC) has announced the completion of XM204 Top Attack Munition testing at Fort Hood, Texas. 

The operational assessment of the new explosive was carried out by troops from the 59th Combat Engineer Company-Armored (CEC-A), 36th Engineer Brigade, reported captain Bradden Van Noy.

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According to US Army OTC Operations Research Systems analyst Mitch Hackman, the XM204 is a hand-emplaced explosive that launches a top attack submunition into the air.

The submunition tracks and identifies enemy vehicles and then fires a projectile capable of destroying vehicles in the blast area.

As part of the six-day assessment, soldiers engaged in various missions, both in daytime and nighttime conditions.

To create an operationally realistic enemy, they placed over 20 obstacles of various types in position, including traditional wire obstacles and mine fields.

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The troops then tested the XM204’s capability to destroy an enemy or change their route.

59th CEC-A company commander captain Abraham Orozco said the operational assessment of the XM204 enabled the troops to learn about a new capability.

Orozco said: “The XM204 Operational Assessment provided a great opportunity for the organisation to continue to refine our critical mission essential tasks while enhancing our soldiers’ lethality and providing feedback in support of Army modernisation priorities.”

The test data and feedback by soldiers will allow senior Army leaders to make informed decisions regarding equipment production.

OTC Maneuver Support and Sustainment Test Directorate NCOIC and combat engineer master sergeant Jonathan Stevenson said: “The XM204 provides combat engineers with a semi-flexible smart munition that can be utilised to shape the battlefield and will ultimately enhance the ability of our soldiers to destroy the enemy.”

Last month, Textron Systems won a $353.98m five-year indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) production contract from the US Army for XM204 Top Attack munition and related trainers.