New weapons systems expected in 2025: what can be surprised by Western engineers
The requirements of NATO's armies are shifted towards high -precision systems, which should exceed the available weapons in speed and destructive force. This applies to traditional weapons - tanks, missiles, artillery shells, small arms, as well as platforms and various carriers of destruction, including promising solutions in the field of aviation. In this regard, the focus gathered information about the new Western weapons that are expected in 2025.
American developers in the field of hypersonic missiles have encountered numerous difficulties in recent years. The tests of new hypersonic solutions have not always been successful. However, the US Army is on the threshold of several systems that will give an advantage in high -tech weapons with China and Russia. The US Army faced the difficulties in implementing the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) hypersonic missile launchers.
According to the US Accounting Chamber (GAO), the purpose of supplying the first battery until the beginning of the 2025 of the financial year (since October 2024) has not been achieved. However, after several unsuccessful attempts, the US Army on December 12 held the first successful testing of the Lrhw hypersonic rocket - Dark Eagle. A full -fledged LRHW battery was involved in starting, which includes a mobile control and a Transporter ERector starter.
The main known characteristics: the mass of the combat part is not yet revealed. Dark Eagle is an important step in the development of US hypersonic weapons, and a successful rocket test has become an important achievement in the context of competition with hypersonic development of China and Russia that has already put such systems into operation. In addition, these tests also showed significant progress in overcoming the technical problems that pursued the program in previous years.
The US military and Northrop Grumman are actively developing hypersonic winged Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). In the 2025 financial year of the US Air Force, the United States plans to conduct comprehensive flight tests of this promising rocket, which will be equipped with a direct air-reactive engine and capable of flying at a speed exceeding 5 strokes.
The HACM rocket has a number of key features that distinguish it among other hypersonic weapons: technology is developed on the basis of the developments of the advanced defense research projects (Darpa) with the participation of Australian partners. In addition to HACM, the US is developing another hypersonic rocket-Air-Launchered Rapid Resposnce Weapon (Arrw).
Arrw is a plane hypersonic module installed on a rocket, but experts note a number of restrictions, including less flexibility in the choice of platform platforms. As a result, HACM is preferred in view of its compactness and versatility. Next year, the preparation for the operation of the new British main combat tank (OBT) Challenger 3 is expected.
A new tank, which is called the most up -to -date and the most frantic in the history of the British Armed Forces, has demonstrated high -tech solutions that meet the requirements of future wars. The new VTT is a significant update compared to Challenger 2, which covers improvements in weapons, protection, control systems and mobility. The Challenger 3 tank is equipped with a 120-mm smooth-bore gun L55A1, which replaced the rifled L30A1.
The machine is also equipped with a fully digital architecture of the control system and aiming, which makes it possible to identify and strike goals in all conditions. The UK army must receive a total of 148 tanks, and the first Challenger 3 will be armed with 2025. The US is working on the creation of a 6th generation of Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD). Boeing and Lockheed Martin, the main contenders for the contract, were preparing for the start of production this year.
However, the indecision of the Air Force deposits the launch of the program, which was to be breakthrough and create the world's first 6th generation fighter. Meanwhile, a recent US Air Force's analysis has confirmed the need to develop a NGAD manned fighter. However, according to the Minister of Air Force Frank Kendall, the high cost of development and production can be a serious obstacle to the continuation of the program.
Additional questions are related to the integration of the new fighter into the Agile Combat Employment method - the concept of dispersed base to prevent attacks. In addition, there are unresolved questions about related elements, such as the next generation aircraft necessary to support a new aircraft. The program is a continuation of the secret project of the X-Plane 2014 under the direction of Darpa, during which the technologies that are now being considered for NGAD were tested.
The open access is illustrations of a new aircraft. The fighter of the future will have an arrow -shaped wing with trapezoidal consoles and a broken back edge, which is given to the control surfaces and nozzles. A distinctive feature is complex keels, which in certain modes are removed in a niche on the wing, which helps to reduce radar.
The air intakes are located on the upper side of the wing, protecting the engines from radiation radiation, and the nozzles are equipped with lattice deflectors to reduce thermal signature. The fighter is equipped with an internal truck for the placement of air-air-air missiles such as AIM-120. This solution minimizes external protruding elements, improving aerodynamics and secrecy.
The illustration also shows the possibility of interaction of the aircraft with other platforms, including satellites and aviation, which confirms the NGAD orientation to network fighting. It should be noted that in 2025, probably by leading companies, such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing, work in this direction will continue, or new concepts will be proposed. However, it is not necessary to expect the first flights of samples in view of the problems that the NGAD has encountered.
The development of next generation's unmanned systems is progressing rapidly, and the MQ-NEXT program initiated by the US Air Force promises to be a significant step forward. The new drone will be replaced by MQ-9 Reaper, which, although it remains effective, is already outdated in modern threats. One of the key features of MQ-NEXT will be inconsistency.
Designers plan to use a hybrid-electric engine that will reduce the drone thermal signature, as well as special materials that absorb radar radiation. Its aerodynamic form and the exhaust system will be designed to minimize the visibility for radars. These innovations will allow the device to act in a complex environment saturated with modern air defense systems. The main focus in MQ-NEXT development is to improve survival and versatility.
Here are the key innovations that distinguish the future platform: General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) received an order from the US Army for the development of a new 155-mm of the Long Range Maneuverile (LRMP). This ammunition promises to change modern ideas about the possibilities of artillery, providing a range of more than 120 km - it is four more than traditional artillery shells. LRMP is innovative, which provides high range and accuracy.
Its unique aerodynamic form, based on a triangle, and complex wings allow the projectile to move into the sliding phase after launch. The ammunition rises 12-14 kilometers, where the wings are opened, which provides stable sliding to the target. In this case, the projectile is equipped with advanced guidance systems that use cameras and machine learning algorithms. This makes it possible to adjust the trajectory in real time, even in the absence of GPS.
In addition, LRMP is compatible with existing artillery platforms and can be used to perform various tasks - from the defeat of targets to intelligence missions. The primary LRMP tests confirmed the aerodynamic stability and reliability of the structure. In 2025, additional tests at the Dagwei landfill are planned to work out the sliding phases and accuracy of goals. General Atomics is preparing for large -scale production, declaring the possibility of production of up to 100,000 shells per month.
This will make LRMP an affordable solution to modernize the US Navy and allies. In 2025, the larger introduction of new samples of small arms known as NGSW should be expected. NGSW includes two key types of weapons: one of the key features of NGSW - the use of a new 6. 8 mm ammunition, which was designed to provide better breakdown and increase the range of target damage. It combines the high initial flight speed and less weight compared to the traditional 7. 62 × 51 mm and 5.
56 × 45 mm, which gives soldiers more fire power without a significant increase in load. The NGSW has attracted several large defense contractors, for example, SIG SAUER offers a system that includes a MCX-SPEAR rifle, an automatic carbine and a brass gilm ammunition. New rifles and machine guns should be effective at a distance of up to 600 meters or more. In this case, weapons are developed taking into account the reduction of return and ease of use.
In addition, the new weapon involves the integration of sights with the function of automatic calculation of the ballistic trajectory, which accelerates aiming and increases accuracy. Against the background of increased threats from cheap drones and missiles, the development of high -energy laser weapons became a priority for leading defense companies and states.
New laser systems are an cost -effective solution to counteract asymmetric threats, reducing the cost of intercepting goals compared to traditional missiles. American defense companies are actively developing directed energy weapons. Among them are: Israeli experts from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have developed an Iron Beam designed to protect at the near distances (up to 7 km). The future of weapons is related to high technology and adaptation to new challenges.