By Anna Volkwine, Army Innovation Programs Office

WASHINGTON – Speed, precision, and decisive force can determine the difference between mission success and failure.  That’s why enhancing soldier lethality – boosting combat effectiveness – remains a top priority for the U.S. Army.

To meet this challenge, the Army xTech Program, led by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, identifies advanced technologies from nontraditional innovators, expanding and strengthening the Army’s innovation pipeline. In June 2023, xTech launched the xTechSoldier Lethality competition, focused on sourcing Precision Grenadier System solutions to help Soldiers engage threats with greater accuracy, speed and impact to support the Army’s lethality mission.

Army taps xTech for lethal solutions

PGS delivers accurate, long-range firepower through advanced optics and laser rangefinders, enabling Soldiers to engage targets behind cover, at far distances, and in close-quarters battle. Army Program Executive Office Soldier and its Project Manager Soldier Lethality,  , tapped xTech to identify vendors outside the traditional defense sector to develop PGS capabilities. The competition offered participants $315,000 each in cash prizes and a potential $2 million follow-on funding opportunity with PEO Soldier. To rapidly transition promising technologies into the hands of Soldiers, the Army used the combination of Title 10 U.S. Code § 4025 prize authority with Title 10 U.S. Code § 4023, which enables swift procurement for experimental purposes. This strategic use of flexible authorities not only accelerates the path from competition to contract, but also broadens the Army’s innovation base—bringing forward disruptive solutions that directly strengthen operational effectiveness on the battlefield.

“Army customers have embraced xTech as a way to do broad market research,” said Dr. Matt Willis, director, Army Innovation Program, including xTech. “This capability is very powerful in terms of being able to move quickly, pivot our focus and areas, and get critical solutions in front of Army leaders.”

Lt. Col. Micah Rue, PM SL’s Product Manager for Soldier Weapons, noted the lack of a commercial PGS solution. To deliver an Army PGS program by fiscal year 2026, PEO Soldier partnered with xTech to fund and incentivize industry participation, sparking innovation and creating a new industry teaming environment.

“Industry collaboration is vital to bring solutions to market,” Rue said. “This isn’t something the government can do as effectively without industry. It’s about incentivizing companies to invest, innovate, and partner.”

Tara Kinnaman, PdM SW’s PGS program lead, emphasized the complexity of integrating weapons, fire controls, and ammunition. The competition encouraged companies to form partnerships and explore synergies with weaponry vendors, enabling them to test collaborations before committing long-term. xTech also helped refine PGS requirements. By engaging directly with industry, the Army identified high-risk areas, technology gaps, and cost drivers. These findings have been pivotal in refining program objectives and ensuring that requirements align with both current and future industry capabilities, thereby keeping the PGS program on track for an FY26 start.

“PEO Soldier realized that some requirements were not immediate necessities but future goals for product improvement. xTech helped us identify which requirements posed the highest risk, allowing us to prioritize effectively while considering cost and future development,” Kinnaman said.

Competition finalists deliver lethal results

Within 18 months from technology pitches, two finalists transitioned from concept to operational prototype —an achievement that underscores the speed and impact of the xTech model. FN America LLC, a large business, developed the Multi-Purpose Tactical Launcher-30, while MARS, Inc., a small business, delivered the Squad Support Rifle System. Both systems feature lightweight, shoulder-fired 30mm grenade launchers capable of neutralizing targets within 500 meters in under three seconds. In addition to seed funding, both companies leveraged the competition to build new partnerships, explore defense and commercial markets, and unlock revenue streams. Between February and April 2025, both companies conducted live-fire demonstrations for key stakeholders from PEO Soldier, JPEO A&A, DEVCOM AC, and Manuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, providing critical real-world validation of their technologies and informing future requirements for the PGS.

“In-person conversations helped our team understand each system’s capabilities and nuances. Seeing a live demonstration – watching a shooter engage a target, pull the trigger, and experiencing the timing firsthand – provided insights that you won’t get virtually,” Kinnaman said.

FN America established operations in the U.S. in 1981 to produce the M240 medium machine gun under contract to the Army.  For the xTechSoldier Lethality competition, the company teamed with its ammunition partner Nostromo LLC, in addition to Precision Targeting and Bachstein Consulting to deliver a new solution. Seed money from the first two down-selects allowed the team to kickstart and accelerate their research and development efforts, resulting in a fully functional prototype in less than a year.

“We are constantly looking for new platforms that are adjacent to our current product lines,” said John Bungard, senior director military development programs for FN America. “Shoulder-fired grenade launchers were right up our alley.”

MARS President Mike Merino, a Montana Army National Guard Soldier, saw xTechSoldier Lethality’s unique challenge as a perfect fit. MARS collaborated with several partners, such as Barrett Firearms, to develop a complete weapon system, combining Barrett’s weapon design and manufacturing expertise with MARS’ advanced R&D capabilities. MARS also partnered with Precision Targeting and AMTEC Corporation to develop a full system. Merino noted that xTech incentivizes companies like MARS to invest in developing solutions for Soldiers and establishes credibility amongst Army and industry partners.

“As an xTech finalist, I’ve been approached by people who wouldn’t answer the phone for me 12 months ago,” Merino said. “Now, they’re asking to partner with MARS. Maybe we win the competition – maybe we don’t; but we’re being taken seriously.”

Empowering innovation and driving growth forward

The xTech Program accelerates growth by providing credibility and connecting companies to industry and Army leaders. By linking participants with essential resources, the program enables them to unlock new opportunities, amplify innovation, and establish themselves as trusted, forward-thinking players in the market. FN America and MARS exemplify how this support turns concepts into real-world solutions, addressing critical industry needs and propelling growth.

With the companies in the home stretch, the competition will announce the final winner in late May 2025. In partnership with PEO Soldier, JPEO A&A, and DEVCOM AC, both companies remain focused on advancing their solutions and reaffirm their commitment to supporting the American Soldier in complex environments.

“I get a personal sense of pride supporting our military,” Bungard said. “Making weapons for the military and working for that community is really rewarding.”

Building on its success in the PGS market, xTech launched the xTechSoldier Fire Control competition in February 2025. This new initiative seeks breakthrough concepts for the Next Generation Squad Weapons Fire Control Module-X. xTech plans to announce the final winner in early 2026.

About the Army xTech Program

Since its inception in 2018, the Army xTech Program has become a catalyst for innovation, bridging the gap between emerging technology developers and Army stakeholders. More than just competitions, xTech provides participants with essential feedback, training, and meaningful opportunities to network. By hosting multiple competitions each year, the program accelerates the development of dual-use technologies that directly address Army needs, enabling innovators to refine their solutions, navigate the defense ecosystem, and forge partnerships that deliver meaningful capabilities to Soldiers.