The XM-25 Individual Airburst Weapon

The XM-25 Individual Airburst Weapon is the kind of gun that you see in movies such as Fifth Element or Judge Dredd, but never expect to be real. Well, it certainly is real, and it's now ready to be tested in combat.

The gun fires a 25-millimeter "smart round" that can be detonated at pre-programmed distance, spreading shrapnel in all directions. It uses a rangefinder to figure out how far away a target is, and the operator can manually adjust when the bullet detonates to suit different situations, allowing a soldier to attack entrenched targets around corners and in buildings more effectively.

Check out the video below to hear an officer at the Aberdeen Test Center in Maryland lay down a scenario in which the XM-25 could be a real game changer.