AUSA 2025: The Army's New Anti-Vehicle Terrain Shaping Munition is Ready for Deployment

October 14, 2025

The XM204 anti-vehicle munition with standoff and top attack capabilities designed to support terrain shaping operations in action during a test run. (Image: U.S. Army)

Textron Systems recently delivered the first XM204 Top Attack Munition to the U.S. Army in support of its European operations. XM204 is an anti-vehicle terrain shaping munition system designed to fulfill the Army's counter-mobility needs.

The Army’s Project Manager Close Combat Systems previously passed first article testing (FAT) for the XM204 during an evaluation at Yuma Proving Ground in April. After FAT approval, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, Oklahoma, began low-rate initial production.

The Army describes the XM204 as an anti-vehicle munition with standoff and top attack capabilities designed to support terrain shaping operations by enabling a wide variety of counter mobility applications such as blocking, disrupting, fixing and turning an enemy force. According to Textron Systems, XM204 has four top attack munitions per launcher, and a 100-meter diameter strike area that allows it to attack heavy wheeled and tracked vehicles.

“This anti-vehicle munition shapes the physical landscape by placing obstacles in key locations to slow or halt hostile vehicle convoys. It is a game-changing capability for counter-mobility missions addressing global needs to protect contested border regions and friendly forces," said Henry Finneral, Senior Vice President, Weapon Systems at Textron Systems.

The XM204 anti-vehicle munition before going through a series of tests at Yuma Proving Ground. (Image: U.S. Army)

The Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment, based at Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany, will be the first unit to field the XM204. The regiment is the longest continuously serving cavalry unit in the Army and plays a key role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) “Enhanced Forward Presence” initiative.

“The XM204 is a significant step forward in how we enable maneuver commanders to shape terrain and protect their forces,” said Maj. Gen. John T. Reim, Joint Program Executive Officer for Armaments and Ammunition and Commanding General of Picatinny Arsenal. “We’re proud to see the 2nd Cavalry Regiment become the first to field this new system.”

The XM204 can be rapidly emplaced and is portable; the system can be employed alone, in multiples or in tandem with other terrain shaping systems. The lightweight munition features a dispenser launcher module that autonomously deploys multiple submunitions. Each submunition is equipped with onboard sensors to detect enemy vehicles and utilizes an explosively formed penetrator to defeat those threats. If not armed, the system is recoverable which allows Soldiers to reposition it as needed.

“For units on the frontlines of deterrence in Europe, having access to advanced terrain-shaping capabilities like the XM204 strengthens our ability to influence key terrain, slow adversary movement, and protect our forces,” said Reim. “This system gives our warfighters a decisive edge as we train and operate alongside NATO allies.”

The Army's Joint Program Executive Officer Armaments & Ammunition (JPEO A&A), Project Manager Close Combat Systems (PM CCS), and Project Manager Terrain Shaping Obstacles (PdM TSO) are all responsible for managing the XM204 program.

Joint Munitions Command cleared the XM204 for release to the Warfighter in September, and new equipment training will be delivered to 2nd Cavalry Regiment by Project Manager Close Combat Systems in Vilseck, Germany this fall.

“The successful delivery of the XM204 is a testament to the power of collaboration and the need to modernize our terrain shaping capabilities. This achievement is a critical step forward in ensuring our forces maintain a decisive operational advantage on the battlefield,” said Colonel Vinson Morris, PM CCS Project Manager.

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