The AG36 grenade launcher mounted to a G36A2 rifle of the German Army.
The AG36 is a single-shot 40mm grenade launcher which operates on the High-Low System and was designed primarily for installation on the G36 assault rifle, designed by German weapons manufacturing company Heckler & Koch. 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 standalone model, or a LLM01 laser light module can be attached to it.
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 aluminum in the AG36 launcher contributes to its low mass and durability. It is capable of firing almost all 40x46mm grenade rounds, including plastic training cartridges, flexible baton rounds, CS and OC gas cartridges, white phosphorous, and HE ammunition. Once attached, the AG36 does not affect the accuracy of the rifle or its handling and operating functions. The AG36 is 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 the use of longer rounds when necessary, e.g., baton rounds 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 adn 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.
Variants[]
AG36 fitted to the L85A2 rifle.
The L17A1 and L123A2 UGL are the under-barrel 40mm grenade launchers used by the British Army in conjunction with the L85A2 rifle and in small numbers with the L119A1 carbine used by UK Special Forces and the Pathfinder Platoon. It is designed and built by HK and is a modified variant of the AG36. The UGL was first deployed during Operation Telic in 2003.
A further version of the AG36 is the Heckler & Koch AG-C/GLM