US Army tests XM1225 30x113mm proximity‑fuzed rounds on AH‑64 Apache to counter drone swarms

The test demonstrates an immediate tactical upgrade: XM1225 APEX proximity 30x113mm rounds give Apaches an airburst counter‑UAS effect that can engage small unmanned aircraft across ranges without major new pilot training, expanding organic C‑UAS capability for attack helicopter units (see recent Apache counter‑drone validation exercises) (source:3dbf8b21-d4d8-4791-9912-6396c84ef2a2).

It provides a low‑cost kinetic option that complements other scaled C‑UAS efforts, diversifying effects against swarms alongside initiatives to adapt laser‑guided rockets and other solutions (see programs scaling APKWS II and directed‑energy evaluations) (source:9e2130ea-f5df-4265-a216-4508bacb396d) (source:cfed7c63-4493-48d9-a2c0-632c4839f12d).

Fielding a proximity‑fuzed 30mm on the existing AH‑64 fleet has procurement and sustainment implications for force posture and export customers as Apache sustainment and production programs proceed (source:a9c66170-aba3-4c28-971e-be2ddbbd41a1).