Infantry Weapons

40 mm automatic grenade launcher

The 40 mm automatic grenade launcher is a crew-served belt-fed support weapon class built around high-explosive 40 mm ammunition, typically mounted on tripods, vehicles, or naval craft. In catalog use, it serves as a relationship-only class page for sources that document mounting compatibility and baseline technical characteristics rather than one specific model.

Profile

Origin
Multiple countries
Built by
Multiple manufacturers
Type
Vehicle-mountable automatic grenade launcher class
Service note
Cold War-era class still in service
Designer
Multiple designers
Designed
1950s-present
Produced
1950s-present
Variants
Mk 19 family, CIS 40AGL family, LAG 40 family

Specifications

Caliber
40 mm
Feed
Belt-fed
Mounting
Tripod, vehicle, or naval mount depending on model
Role
Crew-served support fire
Ammunition
40 mm high-explosive and HEDP families

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service
Used in tripod, vehicle, and naval mounts across multiple service environments
Used by
Armed forces worldwide
Wars
Multiple conflicts

Vehicle Mount Compatibility

Army Guide documents the Al-Shibl 2 as a vehicle that can accept a 40 mm grenade launcher on its multi-weapon ring mount.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Al-Shibl 2 armored vehicleLight armored personnel carrier

Army Guide explicitly lists a multi-weapon ring mount on the Al-Shibl 2 that accepts a 40 mm grenade launcher.

Sources: Al Shibl 2

40 mm automatic grenade launcher Images

Related Weapon Systems

BTR-4, 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier / infantry fighting vehicle, Armored VehiclesArmored VehiclesBTR-48x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier / infantry fighting vehicleThe BTR-4 Bucephalus is a Ukrainian 8x8 armored personnel carrier and infantry fighting vehicle built around a rear troop compartment, amphibious mobility, and remote weapon stations such as the BM-7 Parus. It provides protected movement and direct fire support with a 30 mm cannon, machine gun, grenade launcher, and anti-tank missile capability, and export BTR-4EN vehicles have been documented in Nigerian counter-insurgency service.

Sources