Heckler & Koch AG36

The AG36 is a single-shot 40 mm grenade launcher that 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. It originally appeared as Heckler & Koch's candidate for the US Army's Enhanced Grenade Launcher requirement, evaluated for use with the XM8 and FN SCAR rifles. As is commonly mistaken, the "A" is not an addition to the name "G36", which is short for Gewehr 36, but is in fact an abbreviation of the German Anbaugranatwerfer, literally meaning "attached grenade launcher" and the 36 coming from the name of the primary weapon it was designed to enhance – the G36. It can also be used dismounted, with a stock attached as a stand-alone model, or a LLM01 laser light module can be attached to it.

AG36
The AG36 grenade launcher mounted to a G36 A2 rifle of the German Army
TypeGrenade launcher
Place of originGermany
Service history
Used bySee Users
WarsAfghanistan War, Iraq War
Production history
DesignerHeckler & Koch
ManufacturerHeckler & Koch
VariantsAG-C, L17A1, L123A2, M320
Specifications
Mass1.5 kg (3.31 lb)
Length350 mm (13.8 in)
Barrel length280 mm (11.0 in)
Width90 mm (3.5 in)
Height210 mm (8.3 in)
Cartridge40×46mm grenade
ActionBreech-loaded, tilting barrel
Rate of fireSingle-shot
Muzzle velocity76 m/s (249 ft/s)
Feed systemManually loaded
SightsFolding ladder sight
150 mm (5.9 in) sight radius

Design details
The AG36 on a Latvian G36KV carbine.

As in many modern weapon systems, including the G36 series, extensive use of polymers and high-strength aluminium in the AG36 launcher contributes to its low mass and high durability. It is capable of firing almost all 40×46mm grenade rounds, including plastic training cartridges, flexible baton rounds, CS gas, and oleoresin capsicum (OC, the same chemical used in pepper spray) gas cartridges, white phosphorus, and HE ammunition. With the grenade launcher fitted, when firing 5.56 mm ammunition, the G36 Rifle’s mean point of impact shifts approx. 10 cm (3.9 in) downwards at a range of 100 m (330 ft). [1] The AG36 is a part of Germany's Infantryman of the future program.

The AG36 is a single-shot weapon with a break-action steel barrel and unlike its American counterpart, the M203, the AG36 swings out laterally for loading, allowing for the use of longer rounds when necessary, e.g. baton or flare rounds. When open, the breech is on the left. For installation, the rifle's existing barrel handguard is removed and replaced by the AG36. The weapon has a trigger group with a manual safety lever and a pistol grip for ease of handling. Aiming is accomplished using standard ladder sights, which are located on the left side of the launcher body and folded down when not in use.

Due to its modular design, the launcher can be readily adapted to other rifles, such as the M16-series and the Diemaco C7 and C8.

Variants

The L17A1 and L123A2 UGL[2] (Underslung Grenade Launcher) are the under-barrel 40 mm grenade launchers used by the British Army in conjunction with the L85A2 rifle (L123A2 UGL), and in small numbers with the L119A1 carbine used by United Kingdom Special Forces and the Pathfinder Platoon (L17A1 UGL). It is designed and built by Heckler & Koch and is a modified variant of the AG36. The UGL was first deployed during Operation Telic in 2003. The UGL replaced the muzzle-launched Rifle Grenade General Service. One UGL is issued per fireteam within infantry battalions.

A further version of the AG36 is the Heckler & Koch AG-C/EGLM.

Users
Map with AG36 users in blue
AG36 fitted to the L85A2 rifle.

See also

References
  1. AG36 Operators Manual Page 6
  2. "EFRS - a Freedom of Information request to Ministry of Defence" (PDF). 4 June 2010.
  3. "France launches FAMAS replacement tender". www.janes.com. 2014-05-22. Archived from the original on 2014-05-24. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  4. "THE INFANTRY'S EXPLOSIVE PUNCH 40MM GRENADES AND LAUNCHERS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
  5. "H&K AG36 40mm: Pelontar Granat Senapan Serbu Futuristik G36 – Indomiliter.com". Indomiliter.com. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  6. Kosovo Security Force Archived 2017-03-25 at the Wayback Machine, GlobalSecurity.org
  7. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  8. "Lietuvos kariuomenė :: Ginkluotė ir karinė technika » Granatsvaidžiai ir prieštankiniai ginklai » Povamzdinis granatsvaidis AG-36" (in Lithuanian). Kariuomene.kam.lt. 2009-04-17. Archived from the original on 2011-05-02. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
  9. Dan, Alex (9 February 2016). "PASKAL Malaysian Special Forces Weapons". Military Factory (Small Arms). Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  10. Machado, Miguel (27 November 2009). "AFEGANISTÃO: UNIDADE DE PROTECÇÃO DA FORÇA EM OPERAÇÕES | Operacional". www.operacional.pt (in European Portuguese). Archived from the original on 24 July 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  11. "Capacetes Azuis: 65 portugueses na luta contra o terrorismo no Mali". www.cmjornal.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-11-01.
  12. "Armée Turque forces terrestres équipements et véhicules". Archived from the original on 2010-03-11. Retrieved 2014-12-23.
  13. "AG36". weaponsystems.net. Archived from the original on 4 June 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  14. "Heckler & Koch HK AG36". www.militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
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