The 2004 National Landmine Policy directed the Pentagon to end the use of persistent landmines after 2010, and introduce self-destructing and self-deactivating alternatives. The XM-7 Spider is the successor to the Matrix system deployed in Iraq, and part of the USA’s Non-Self-Destructing Anti-Personnel Landmine Alternatives (NSD-A) program.
Spider is more of a “remote explosive device” than a typical lay-and-forget land mine. It’s detonated by soldier command, and that soldier can even load non-lethal canisters if the mission calls for it. Unlike conventional land mines, the XM-7 Spider always has a known location, so it can be safely and easily recovered and re-deployed. If that isn’t possible for some reason, XM-7 units deactivate after a set time period, so they won’t become a future threat. It sounds good, and its capabilities are badly needed in places like remote fire bases, and along Korea’s dangerous DMZ. Unfortunately, the program has run into difficulties and delays.
Anatomy of a Spider
An XM-7 Spider system consists of up to 63 Munition Control Units (MCUs). They are set up by humans, unlike some land mines that are fired into place using artillery, mortars, or rockets. Each MCU can contain up to 6 reloadable canisters spaced around the device, each of which covers a 60 degree arc to create full 360 degree coverage. Payloads can be anything from Claymore-style steel balls or fragments, to non-lethal gasses or goo; ATK’s XM-7 data sheet even has a photo that shows an M18 Claymore adapter, which lets the Claymore’s wire plug into one of the MCU’s sockets.
A tripwire container fires out 6 trip-wires when the device is activated by the human operator. Even so, all MCUs are controlled by a human-operated Remote Control Station (RCS), which is a standard rugged laptop computer, equipped with a touchscreen. If necessary, a signal repeater can extend communication range beyond 1 mile/ 1.5 km, out to about 4 km/ 2.4 miles.
If the tripwires are touched while the unit is active, the MCU sends an encrypted signal to the operator. It’s up to the operator to decide what to do at that point, unless the XM-7 has been deliberately set in “battle override” mode that triggers the canisters automatically. That “battle override” feature would create an issue with the Mine Ban Treaty, but the USA is one of the major powers that has refused to sign that treaty. America has channeled its National Landmine Policy efforts into developing products like the more expensive but safer XM-7 instead.
The core MCU is powered by a replaceable battery, which can keep the device operational for at least 30 days. When an MCU is active, a GPS chip will report its location over an encrypted link to ensure that it doesn’t get lost. Once that battery fails, however, so does the MCU. This may seem like a poor design feature, but it’s a deliberate decision taken to ensure that XM-7s left behind in the fog of war can’t become future threats to human life.
The operator can send a command to deactivate an MCU unit at a time. Recovery involves deactivation, followed by quick removal of the expended trip wire container, and a check of the battery’s remaining power. The trip wire container, battery, and payload canisters are all designed to be replaced in the field, but the number of different batteries, and their lifespans, have become issues for the program.
A related product, the XM1100 Scorpion, applies many of the same technologies to create smart anti-tank mines.
The XM-7 Spider Program
The XM-7 spider systems is a joint venture between pre-eminent ammunition and explosives experts Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) and Textron Systems Corp. ATK has been working hard to diversify more of its business toward precision weapons, and Textron also does some work in that area.
AP reported in 2004 that the Army intended to purchase 290,000 spider munitions as at cost of $513 million, after the system had incurred $135 million in development costs between 1999 – 2004. That would divide up to about $2,250 per munition, which is expensive in comparison to alternatives. Subsequent events can raise that total further by changing system aspects, revealing engineering difficulties that must be corrected, or cutting the number bought so that the R&D dollars must be divided among a smaller set. Picatinny Arsenal informed DID that any details regarding the XM-7’s current budgetary plan would require a Freedom of Information Act request.
At present, issues with the system’s Full Operational Test and Evaluations have delayed the program. The system is in low-rate initial production, with a full-rate production decision moved back to 2013. As of August 2013, the Army is pursuing a more advanced version of the system.
Contracts and Key Events
FY 2011 – 2013
Low-rate production orders, but full production delayed; Increment 1A shifts to Northrop Grumman.
Aug 27/13: New Contractor. Northrup Grumman systems, Corp. in Herndon, VA receives a $12 million cost-plus-incentive-fee, option eligible contract for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development and Low Rate Initial Production of Spider Increment 1A. This follow-on offers an improved networked munitions control station; command and control had previously been Textron’s job.
Work will be performed in Carson, CA. This contract was a competitive acquisition, with 2 bids received by US Army Contracting Command in Picatinny Arsenal, NJ (W15QKN-13-C-0065).
XM-7 1A R&D, initial production
March 5/13: ATK in Plymouth, MN receives a $9.3 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, to upgrade Spider MCUs from TS-04 to the TS-09 version. Hopefully, this will begin to address reliability issues noted by Pentagon testers (vid. Jan 17/13).
Work will be performed in Plymouth and Wilmington, MA; and Rocket City, WVA; with an estimated completion date of Jan 31/14. US Army Contracting Command at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ manages the contract (W15QKN-06-C-0154).
Feb 8/13: ATK in Plymouth, MN receives a $20 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for Spider Munitions Control Units. As the picture shows, the MCU is the “spider body” that holds the munition canisters.
Work will be performed in Wilmington, MA; Rocket City, WVA; and Plymouth, MN, with an estimated completion date of Nov 30/13. One bid was solicited, with one bid received by Army Contracting Command in Picatinny Arsenal, NJ (W15QKN-11-C-0126).
Jan 17/13: DOT&E report. The Pentagon releases the FY 2012 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). The department still plans to issue its revised testing report in 2013, after a 3rd round of operational testing.
Meanwhile, in 2012 the US Army fielded Spider Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) systems to deployed and non-deployed units, while they continued to work on technical and support issues. But they postponed a Full Rate Production decision until Q3 (spring) FY 2013.
A DOT&E Beyond Low-Rate Initial Production (BLIRP) report, issued at the Army’s request continues to agree that XM-7 Spider systems offer performance and flexibility improvements, and consider it to be effective. They don’t yet see enough improvement in MCU reliability, or in the need for so much initial and ongoing training.
October 2012: DOT&E approves an updated Test and Evaluation Master Plan, in order to inform the US Army’s FRP decision. Source: 2012 DOT&E report.
TEMP approved
May 16/12: LRIP-2. Alliant Techsystems, Inc. in Plymouth, MN receives a $58.3 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, for Spider XM-7 networked munitions systems. Based on other LRIP fixed price contract figures, that will buy about 75 systems.
Work will be performed in Plymouth, MN; Wilmington, MA; and Rocket Center, WVA, with an estimated completion date of April 30/13. One bid was solicited, with 1 bid received by the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ (W15QKN-11-C-0126).
LRIP-2
April 13/12: Software. Alliant Techsystems, Inc. in Plymouth, MN receives an $8 million firm-fixed-price contract for XM-7 Spider Block 4 software updates. Work will be performed in Wilmington, MA, Plymouth, MN, and Mason, OH, with an estimated completion date of March 30/13. One bid was solicited, with 1 bid received by the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ (W15QKN-12-C-0058).
Jan 17/12: DOT&E Report. The Pentagon releases the FY 2011 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). The XM-7 is included, and DOT&E explains why the program has been delayed. It also mentions the following, under “Problems Discovered During Operational Test And Evaluation That Should Have Been Discovered During Developmental Test And Evaluation”:
“The Army continued corrective actions to address Spider system and training deficiencies following the FOT&E conducted in May 2010… Current software development to achieve requirements for munition control unit reliability and reuse are inadequate. Increased efforts are needed to achieve operational suitability. Further development focused on identifying ways to reduce the system’s complexity and increase its ease of use by Soldiers is needed to achieve operational suitability.”
Overall, the XM-7 is deemed effective in combat, but “has demonstrated poor suitability and is difficult to sustain in an operational environment” (vid. May 2010 entry). DOT&E will report on the operational effectiveness, suitability, and survivability of the Spider system in early 2013, following a 3rd FOT&E.
June 2011: IOC. The XM-7 program achieves Initial Operational Capability with the fielding of Spider to the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) of the 25th Infantry Division in Fort Richardson, AK.
The Spider Milestone Decision Authority is expected to approve the production of additional LRIP systems, to support continued fielding prior to the expected full-rate production decision in early 2013. Source: 2011 DOT&E report.
XM-7 IOC
June 2011: LUT. NIE 11.2 at Fort Bliss, TX, and White Sands Missile Range, NM includes a Limited User Test (LUT) of the XM-7 Spider. DOT&E says that software and training enhancements made since the May 2010 FOT&E have improved the system’s ability to meet MCU reliability and reuse requirements.
The program office will use the results to support a request for additional low-rate initial production (LRIP). Source: 2011 DOT&E report.
March 21/11: LRIP-1. Joint venture partners Alliant Tech Systems (ATK) in Plymouth, MN and Textron Defense Systems in Wilmington, MA receive a $34 million firm-fixed-price contract for 44 low rate initial production Spider XM-7 Networked Munitions Systems.
Work will be performed in Wilmington, MA; Plymouth, MN; Rocket Center, WVA; Mankato, MN; and Middletown, IA, with an estimated completion date of Dec 5/11. One bid was solicited with one bid received by the U.S. Army Contracting Command in Picatinny Arsenal, NJ (W15QKN-11-C-0126).
LRIP orders begin
FY 2006 – 2010
Initial contracts; Testing setbacks.
May 2010: FOT&E setback. Performance issues delay the XM-7 Spider’s full-rate production decision from FY 2011 to FY 2013. the Pentagon’s DOT&E testing and evaluation group explains what went wrong:
“…Spider did not meet MCU reliability and reuse requirements, attributable to system complexity and ineffective training provided by the program office… The Spider system requires three different types of rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries when commercial or vehicle power is not available; battery management increases a unit’s logistical burden. During a 60-hour operation, a platoon-size unit employing a 20 MCU Spider munition field with a repeater may use up to 86 non-rechargeable batteries, costing $2,400.
Spider skills are perishable and require periodic sustainment training; this increases a unit’s training burden.
Current software changes to achieve MCU reliability and reuse requirements are incomplete. Increased efforts are needed to prevent future impacts to operational suitability.
Further testing focused on reducing system complexity in the hands of Soldiers is needed…”
Nov 25/09: +70. Joint venture partners Alliant Tech Systems (ATK) in Plymouth, MN and Textron Defense Systems in Wilmington, MA received a $41.1 million cost plus incentive fee contract for 70 Spider XM-7 networked munitions.
Work is to be completed in Pymouth, MN (30%); Wilmington, MA (53%); and Rocket Center, WVA; with an estimated completion date of Nov 30/12. One bid was solicited with one bid received by Army Contracting Command JM&L Contracting Center at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ (W15QKN-06-C-0154).
July 2/08: Reloads. Joint venture partners Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) in Plymouth, MN and Textron Systems Corp. in Wilmington, MA received a $38.5 million cost-plus-incentive fee and firm-fixed price contract for “intelligent munitions system ammo reload sets for the SPIDER XM-7 networked munition.”
Work will be performed in Plymouth, MN and Wilmington, MA, and is expected to be complete by Nov 30/11. One bid was solicited on Oct 22/07 by the Joint Munitions & Lethality at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, who now manages this contract (W15QKN-06-C-0154).
Aug 22/07: A pre-solicitation notice is issued on FedBizOpps by the Joint Munitions & Lethality at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. They plan to buy 110-130 low-rate initial production XM-7 systems, and create a support plan for future US Army stocks, over a 24 month period. The Army will be using the “only one responsible source” clause under federal acquisition regulations.
July 3/06: Contract. Joint venture partners Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) in Plymouth, MN and Textron Systems Corp. in Wilmington, MA received a $31.1 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the Spider XM-7 system.
Work will be performed in Plymouth, MN (55%), and Wilmington, MA (45%), and is expected to be complete by Nov 30/07. This was a sole source contract initiated on March 6/06 by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ (W15QKN-06-C-0154).
Additional Readings
* US Army Picatinny Arsenal, Project Manager Close Combat Systems – Spider (Anti-Personnel Landmine Alternative)
* Alliant Techsystems – Spider
* Textron Systems – Spider
* Defense Update – Spider Unattended Ground Sensor
* GlobalSecurity.org – Matrix/Spider
* AP, via WIRED (April 4/04) – US Bets on Land Mine Technology
* Jane’s International Defense Review (Dec 1/03) – US moves out on remote mines and sensors