Rheinmetall SSW40 hand grenade launcher: caliber 40 mm in the form of a rifle
Grenade launcher with SSW40 product
Rheinmetall continues to develop a promising weapons for the infantry. At the last Eurosatory 2022 exhibition, she presented another example of this kind - the SSW40 manual automatic grenade launcher. It is reported that this product shows high tactical and technical characteristics, has wide combat capabilities and is easy to use.
First in the world
From June 13 to 17, the annual military-technical exhibition Eurosatory 2022 was held in France. As always, leading European defense companies took part in it, presenting several new designs. In particular, Rheinmetall for the first time showed a promising SSW40 hand grenade launcher.
As part of the Rheinmetall exposition, a full-size sample of the new grenade launcher was shown; perhaps a real prototype involved in the tests. In addition, the company published a press release and several photos from the tests. Shooting from the SSW40 has not yet been demonstrated.
According to the development organization, the SSW40 (Squad Support Weapon 40) is "the world's first automatic magazine-type grenade launcher for firing from the shoulder." This product is positioned as a means of reinforcing a rifle unit, which has wide combat capabilities. With the help of such a grenade launcher, a unit can effectively attack manpower and equipment, make passages, put up smoke screens, etc.
Rheinmetall pays special attention to the form factor and ergonomics of the new grenade launcher. In terms of weight, dimensions, layout and principles of use, it is similar to modern automatic rifles. At the same time, despite the large caliber and corresponding firing characteristics, the grenade launcher has limited recoil and is easy to use.
At the moment, the SSW40 product remains at the development and testing stage. An experienced weapon is being tested at the training ground in order to identify and correct deficiencies. Together with a grenade launcher, 40-mm unitary shots for various purposes are tested, incl. products of the new family.
According to current plans, testing of all new developments will be completed next year. After that, Reymetall can begin mass production of grenades and grenade launchers in the interests of customers. However, the availability of supply contracts has not yet been reported. Probably, before the show at Eurosatori, potential customers simply did not know about the SSW40. Now they get the opportunity to study this product and draw conclusions.
Technical features
One of the main goals of the SSW40 project is to obtain optimal ergonomics. As a consequence, the grenade launcher has a distinctive layout and appearance reminiscent of a typical modern automatic rifle or submachine gun. The authors of the project as a whole managed to fit the product into typical rifle dimensions. The mass of the grenade launcher is unknown. Apparently, it is significantly heavier than any rifle.
The SSW40 grenade launcher has a linear layout. The main structural element is the receiver, made integral with the barrel casing. A 40-mm barrel is placed in its front part, behind which there are automation mechanisms. Under the latter, all free space is given, incl. the back of the box, which acts as a butt.
The principle of operation of automation is not disclosed. At the same time, it is mentioned that the grenade launcher received a self-adjusting recoil device and a certain system for reducing the recoil momentum. As a result, firing a heavy 40 mm grenade for a shooter is slightly different from shooting from a rifle.
The weapon uses detachable box magazines of unspecified capacity. The store is designed for 40-mm unitary shots, which affects its dimensions and weight. In addition, all this affected the dimensions of the receiving neck, the design of the locking latch, etc. It is reported about a certain function of the quick replacement of the magazine. How exactly it is implemented and what allows it is unclear.
Behind the magazine is a pistol grip with an enlarged guard. On the handle and next to it are the "rifle" controls - the trigger and the fuse. The design of the trigger mechanism is unknown. In addition, the available fire modes were not specified. The SSW40 grenade launcher is called automatic, which may indicate the possibility of firing bursts.
The product carries several straps for mounting sights and other equipment. In the published photographs, the grenade launcher is equipped with an optical sight. It is possible to install other sights, mounting a bipod, etc.
Ammunition Nomenclature
The SSW40 grenade launcher is capable of using several types of unitary shots. First of all, these are NATO standard 40x46 mm LV (Low Velocity) grenades. In this standard size, fragmentation and fragmentation-armor-piercing, smoke, lighting and other ammunition are carried out. When using 40x46 mm LV grenades, unification with a number of other grenade launchers is achieved.
The development of the 40x51 mm Medium Velocity (MV) family of grenades continues, which will include several products for various purposes. A fragmentation grenade with a contact fuse, a fragmentation grenade with an air explosion, armor-piercing, engineering, lighting, light-sound and practical grenades are offered. A characteristic feature of the MV range is the increased initial speed. Due to this, flight along a lower trajectory is ensured, which simplifies aiming. The firing range of such grenades reaches 900 m.
The 40x51mm MV rounds were recently standardized by NATO. Under them, various weapons systems are already being developed, and not only manual ones. So, to equip the Puma BMP, a combat module TSWA (Turmunabhängige Sekundärwaffenanlage) was created. Its main weapon is a launcher with a large number of slots for 40mm grenades.
Decisions and difficulties
To date, foreign industry has created a number of hand grenade launchers in 40 mm caliber. At the same time, the new product SSW40 from Rheinmetall is noticeably different from them. Through the use of new solutions, it was possible to obtain certain advantages and, accordingly, expand the combat qualities of such weapons.
First of all, SSW40 is interesting for its architecture. The use of a rifle scheme simplified the design and layout of the product. In addition, it gave a good ergonomics, facilitating the development and operation. In particular, tab and hold, hover and other processes are simplified.
Ammunition line 40 mm MV
The grenade launcher received full automation. Thanks to this, preparation for the next shot and its production require virtually no effort. Other modern designs require manual reloading or use a revolving principle with a significant contribution of the shooter's muscular strength.
In promotional materials, Rheinmetall pays great attention to a wide range of compatible ammunition. In addition, from the very beginning, the project included the possibility of using new shots with improved performance. The positive consequences of this approach are obvious. The SSW40 grenade launcher becomes a flexible tool and gets the ability to hit different targets or perform auxiliary work.
However, the grenade launcher has ambiguous features. He may encounter potential difficulties and disappoint a potential customer. So, SSW40 is a separate weapon and requires a separate shooter. Due to the large mass of the grenade launcher and ammunition, the shooter will not be able to carry a regular rifle, which will understandably affect the capabilities of the unit.
Compatibility with different ammunition in the case of grenade launchers does not go well with store food. The grenade launcher will have to carry several stores with shots for various purposes and change them if necessary, or equip the stores with fragmentation grenades, and carry other items separately and manually feed them into the weapon one at a time. Both options are not convenient and interfere with the full potential of the SSW40.
Premiere screening
Thus, the new Rheinmetall hand grenade launcher has a number of important features and clear advantages over other weapons of its class. At the same time, there are ambiguous features and potential disadvantages. With all this, the development company speaks of achieving high performance characteristics and wide combat capabilities.
At the moment, the SSW40 is still undergoing testing and development, and a full market launch is expected only next year. Probably, then the real potential of this product will become clear - combat and commercial. In the meantime, the new German grenade launcher can confidently claim only the title of one of the most interesting exhibits of Eurosatory 2022.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Rheinmetall Defense
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