Grenade rifle prototype for US Army test fires blade-deploying drone-killing rounds

The U.S. Army’s Barrett-MARS grenade rifle prototype completed live-fire testing out to 400 meters.

The weapon used a five-round ammo family, including airburst, proximity-fused, kinetic anti-drone, and close-quarters rounds.

The system is designed to replace multiple legacy grenade launchers with one more versatile infantry weapon.

Its capabilities could let troops hit targets behind cover and engage small drones at short range, with fielding eyed for 2026.