Textron Systems has hit a major milestone with its XM204 top attack munition, successfully completing first article testing with the US Army.
The evaluation took place at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, where the munition underwent a series of trials to assess its target engagement and self-destruct capabilities.
“The XM204’s successful First Article Test completion is a testament to the power of collaboration and the need to modernize our terrain shaping capabilities,” said Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Army program executive officer for armaments and ammunition.
He called it a “significant step forward in how we enable maneuver commanders to shape terrain and protect their forces.”
This milestone confirms the XM204’s readiness for production and delivery to the US Army and allied forces.
A ‘Terrain-Shaping’ Weapon
The XM204 is a terrain-shaping munition designed not just to destroy targets, but to control where and how the enemy moves.
Rather than engaging directly, these munitions are deployed to deny access to key terrain, create chokepoints, or funnel opposing forces into more vulnerable positions.
They can be used to block roads, mountain passes, or other strategic routes, turning the landscape itself into a defensive tool.
“It is a game-changing capability for counter-mobility missions addressing global needs to protect contested border regions and friendly forces,” noted Henry Finneral, Textron’s senior vice president for weapon systems.
Textron was awarded a $354-million contract by the US Army in 2022 to supply an unspecified quantity of XM204 munitions.
