40 mm grenade
Encyclopedia
Grenade
A grenade is a small explosive device that is projected a safe distance away by its user. Soldiers called grenadiers specialize in the use of grenades. The term hand grenade refers any grenade designed to be hand thrown. Grenade Launchers are firearms designed to fire explosive projectile grenades...
caliber for grenade launcher
Grenade launcher
A grenade launcher or grenade discharger is a weapon that launches a grenade with more accuracy, higher velocity, and to greater distances than a soldier could throw it by hand....
s in service with many armed forces. There are two main types in service: the 40×46mm, which is a low-velocity round used in hand-held grenade launchers; and the high-velocity 40×53mm, used in mounted and crew-served weapons. The cartridges are not interchangeable. Both 40mm cartridges use what the US Army during the Vietnam War called the High-Low Propulsion System
High-Low System
The High-Low system also referred to as the "High-Low Pressure system", the "High-Low Propulsion System", and the "High-Low projection system", is a design of cannon and antitank launcher using a smaller high-pressure chamber for storing the propellant...
.
The less powerful 40×46mm is used in hand-held weapons such as the M79
M79 grenade launcher
The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher that fires a 40x46mm grenade which used what the US Army called the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low, and first appeared during the Vietnam War...
, M203
M203 grenade launcher
The M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
, the M320 grenade launcher, and the multi-shot M32 MGL
Milkor MGL
The MGL is a lightweight 40 mm semi-automatic, 6-shot grenade launcher developed and manufactured in South Africa by Milkor Ltd. The MGL was demonstrated as a concept to the South African Defence Force in 1981. The operating principle was immediately accepted and subjected to a stringent...
.
The more powerful 40×53mm is used in grenade launchers mounted on vehicles or tripods, often with automatic firing capabilities such as the Mk 19 grenade launcher
Mk 19 grenade launcher
The Mk 19 Grenade Launcher is a 40 mm belt-fed automatic grenade launcher or grenade machine gun that entered U.S. military service during the Cold War, first seeing action during the Vietnam War and remaining in service today.-Overview:...
, the Mk 47 "Striker" 40 mm Grenade Machine Guns (GMGs), the Heckler & Koch GMG
Heckler & Koch GMG
The GMG is an automatic grenade launcher developed by Heckler & Koch for the German Army. It is also often referred to as GMW .-Design details:...
or the South African Vektor Y3 AGL
Vektor Y3 AGL
The Y3 is a South African automatic grenade launcher manufactured by Denel Land Systems. It fires 40x53mm grenades at a rate of 280–320 rounds per minute.It can be vehicle mounted using a special bracket or used with a tripod....
. In these roles, the rounds are linked together with a metallic disintegrating link and fired automatically
Automatic firearm
An automatic firearm is a firearm that loads another round mechanically after the first round has been fired.The term can be used to refer to semi-automatic firearms, which fire one shot per single pull of the trigger , or fully automatic firearms, which will continue to load and fire ammunition...
. The 40×53mm is also used in some mounted helicopter grenade launcher systems, which are electrically powered and primed.
A new 40×51mm cartridge recently (2007) developed in South Africa provides a more powerful alternative for hand-held weapons without increased recoil. A new version of the Milkor MGL
Milkor MGL
The MGL is a lightweight 40 mm semi-automatic, 6-shot grenade launcher developed and manufactured in South Africa by Milkor Ltd. The MGL was demonstrated as a concept to the South African Defence Force in 1981. The operating principle was immediately accepted and subjected to a stringent...
chambered for the new round remains backward compatible with existing 40×46mm rounds.
M79
- High Explosive (HE): M381, M386
- Airburst: M397, M397A1
- Twenty 24g metal pellets: M576M576 40mm grenadeThe M576 is a US Army designation for a type of 40mm grenade cartridge. The M576 is a buckshot load for the M79, M203 M320 and M32 MGL grenade launchers...
- CS gasCS gas2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile is the defining component of a "tear gas" commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent...
: M651 - Practice: M781
M203
- High Explosive (HE): M381, M386, M406, M441
- High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP): M433
- Airburst: M397, M397A1
- Twenty 24g metal pellets: M576M576 40mm grenadeThe M576 is a US Army designation for a type of 40mm grenade cartridge. The M576 is a buckshot load for the M79, M203 M320 and M32 MGL grenade launchers...
- Thermobaric: XM1060
- Star parachute (flare): M583A1
- Star cluster (flare): M585 (white), M661 (green), M662 (red)
- CS gasCS gas2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile is the defining component of a "tear gas" commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent...
: M651 - Smoke Canopy: M676 (yellow), M680 (white), M682 (red)
- Ground Marker (smoke): M713 (red), M714 (white), M715 (green), M716 (yellow)
- Practice: M781, M918 (target practice)
- Infra-red illumination: M992
- Non lethal (crowd control)
- Sponge GrenadeSponge grenadeA sponge grenade is a riot control weapon, intended to be non-lethal, which is fired from a 40 mm grenade launcher to cause confusion, or otherwise temporarily disable its target. As a single blunt force object, it is best used when aimed at a particular individual.The projectile, weighs about 28...
(crowd control) - 40 mm Canister Round
40×47 mm
Pallad grenade launcher
The Pallad is a 40 mm Polish under-slung grenade launcher, developed for use with the AKM assault-rifle and intended to replace the kbkg wz. 1960 grenade-launcher rifle. The name of the weapon reflects the Polish-language word for palladium.The development of the weapon drew on concepts...
underbarrel grenade launchers (used with AK family rifles in use in Polish Army like the AKM/AKMS, Tantal and Beryl) and Pallad-D wz. 83 Grenade launcher (standalone variant fitted with standard pistol grip and folding stock from AKMS assault rifle). The construction is similar to one used in 40×46 but grenedes are not fully interchangeable.
40×51 mm
Ripple Effect—formerly Milkor MarketingMilkor Marketing
Milkor Marketing, renamed in 2007 as Rippel Effect Weapon Systems, is a firearm company known for formerly marketing the Milkor MGL grenade launcher and the Milkor Stopper 37/38 mm riot gun...
previously tasked by Milkor (Pty) Ltd
Milkor (Pty) Ltd
Milkor Ltd is a privately owned South African company established in 1981. Milkor is very widely known for its 40mm range of MGLs , used in more than 30 countries world-wide....
the South African designers of the Milkor MGL
Milkor MGL
The MGL is a lightweight 40 mm semi-automatic, 6-shot grenade launcher developed and manufactured in South Africa by Milkor Ltd. The MGL was demonstrated as a concept to the South African Defence Force in 1981. The operating principle was immediately accepted and subjected to a stringent...
—developed a new "Extended Range Low Pressure" (ERLP) 40×51mm cartridge. This round extends the range of the 40mm grenade from 400 m (440 yd) to 800 m (880 yd). The XRGL40 is chambered for the new round, but can still fire the regular 40×46mm grenade.
Mk 19 Mod 3
U.S. military rounds designated specifically for the Mk 19 grenade launcher includes:- High Explosive (HE): M383, M384
- High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP): M430I
- Practice: M385I, M918
- Dummy: M922/M922A1
Mk 47 Mod 0
U.S. military rounds designated specifically for the Mk 47 grenade launcher include:- MK285, Programmable Prefragmented High Explosive/Self-Destructible (PPHE/SD)
The MK285 consists of a electronic programmable fuze, a prefragmented warhead and a propulsion system. the fuze is programmed through the fire control of the gun. the fuze is mechanically armed at approximately 23 meters.
The round is programmed to airburst over the target and the fuze counts down the programmed time via its built in electronics. If an unprogrammed round is fired, it will detonate on impact.
The projectile has a built in self destruct and can be fired by any automatic grenade launcher.
Other
Other weapons using 40mm rounds are the Corner Shot 40 grenade launcher, the Defcpm LLC XL201A1 rail mounted launcher (Defcom sales brochure, dated 2010), the Milkor MGL Mk-1S Multiple Grenade Launcher, the Penn Arms PGL65-40 "Fourkiller Tactical Model" 40mm Multiple Grenade Launcher, the Heckler & Koch AG36AG36
The AG36 is a single-shot 40 mm grenade launcher which operates on the High-Low System and was designed primarily for installation on the G36 assault rifle, designed by the German weapons manufacturing company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar...
, the Heckler & Koch GMG
Heckler & Koch GMG
The GMG is an automatic grenade launcher developed by Heckler & Koch for the German Army. It is also often referred to as GMW .-Design details:...
grenade autocannon and the Heckler & Koch HK69A1
Heckler & Koch HK69A1
The HK69A1 is a 40 mm grenade launcher developed and produced by the German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch . The weapon was designed to engage enemy troops and strongpoints out to a distance of 350 m; it can also be used to deploy smoke grenades and illumination flares.-Development:The launcher’s...
. There is also the CIS 40 AGL
CIS 40 AGL
The CIS 40 AGL is a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, developed in the late 1980s and produced by the Singaporean defence firm − Chartered Industries of Singapore...
and 40LWAGL from Singapore's ST Kinetics.
The Russian GP-30 Obuvka, GP-25 Kastyor, and BG-15 Mukha
GP-30
The GP-30 Obuvka , GP-25 Kostyor and BG-15 Mukha are Russian under barrel grenade launchers for the AK-series of assault rifle. They were first seen by the west in 1984 during the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan. The initial version was designated BG-15, and was fitted under the barrel of AK-74...
use a unique type of 40mm grenade. These grenades are caseless, holding their own propellant within the body of the grenade. The Russian 40mm grenades are not interchangeable with U.S. 40×46mm and 40×53mm weapons. They also developed a silenced 30mm grenade launcher, the BS-1 "Tishina"
BS-1 Tishina
The BS-1 Tishina is a silenced Russian 30mm grenade launcher. It is developed specifically for the AKS-74U carbine. It uses a bolt-action mechanism to load blanks into the chamber along with the 30mm grenade. Pulling the trigger ignites the blank which in turn ignites the charge on the grenade...
, using a multi-round blank cartridge magazine meant to ignite the 30mm HE-DP caseless grenade.
The Metal Storm 40 mm Weapon System is a four-barrel, 16-round weapon system that also uses 40mm grenades (stacked), and is designed for mounting on an unmanned ground vehicle. Initial trials are under way to determine suitability for mounting on unmanned aerial vehicles.
Multi-caliber grenade launchers
As one of the earliest barrel-mounted grenade launchers reaching mass production, the M203 has a major problem: it cannot be loaded with high-powered or specialized grenades, such as Milkor ERLP or 40×53mm grenades, because of its slide-locking barrel. The manufacturers working on replacements of the M203 had to come up with new ideas so this would be possible with new issued grenade launchers. This resulted in two innovative designs, like the side-loading M320 grenade launcher and the FN SCARFN SCAR
The Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle, or SCAR, is a modular rifle made by FN Herstal for the United States Special Operations Command to satisfy the requirements of the SCAR competition. This family of rifles consist of two main types...
's Mk13 Mod0 EGLM. The EGLM is innovative, as it opens like the M203 but the barrel can also be pivoted right or left, allowing left and right-handed shooters to load it quickly with any ammunition they want. The HK AG36
AG36
The AG36 is a single-shot 40 mm grenade launcher which operates on the High-Low System and was designed primarily for installation on the G36 assault rifle, designed by the German weapons manufacturing company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar...
launcher has a similar setup where the barrel turns so that the breech is facing the user.
Green ammunition
The MK281 is a new type of 40mm target practice grenade ammunition that has been accepted for use into the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. It is "green" because it is non-toxic and non-dud producing (since it is a training round), meaning that there is no unexploded ordinance left to clean up on the range and heavy metals in the fuse do not leak into the ground. The MK281 was introduced into parts of the US Armed Forces because of an executive order mandating that they buy green ammunition. The MK281 is manufactured by an American subsidiary of the Rheinmetall Group
Rheinmetall
Rheinmetall AG is a German automotive and defence company with factories in Düsseldorf, Kassel and Unterlüß. The company has a long tradition of making guns and artillery pieces...
.
See also
- AG36AG36The AG36 is a single-shot 40 mm grenade launcher which operates on the High-Low System and was designed primarily for installation on the G36 assault rifle, designed by the German weapons manufacturing company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar...
- Grenade launcherGrenade launcherA grenade launcher or grenade discharger is a weapon that launches a grenade with more accuracy, higher velocity, and to greater distances than a soldier could throw it by hand....
- HK GMG
- M203 grenade launcherM203 grenade launcherThe M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
- M79 grenade launcherM79 grenade launcherThe M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher that fires a 40x46mm grenade which used what the US Army called the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low, and first appeared during the Vietnam War...
- Milkor (Pty) LtdMilkor (Pty) LtdMilkor Ltd is a privately owned South African company established in 1981. Milkor is very widely known for its 40mm range of MGLs , used in more than 30 countries world-wide....
- United States 40 mm grenades
External links
- Milkor (Pty) Ltd
- 40mm Low-Velocity Grenades
- Defense Review overview of Mk 47 Mod 0 'Striker' 40mm Grenade Machine Gun
- Defense Review overview of Corner Shot 40 personal grenade launcher
- Defense Review overview of Milkor MGL Mk-1S Multiple Grenade Launcher
- Defense Review overview of Penn Arms PGL65-40 'Fourkiller Tactical Model' 40 mm Multiple Grenade Launcher
- Penn Arms data page for PGL65-40 6-Shot Grenade Launcher
- Defense Review overview of Metal Storm 40mm Weapon System
- Future Weapons: MEI Mercury 40MM Grenade