Panzerfaust 44 “Lanze” (or Pzf 44 in short) can be considered as a further evolution of the WW2-era Panzerfaust line of antitank weapons, although in greatly improved form. Development of this weapon commenced circa 1960, with grenade and launcher developed by German company Dynamit-Nobel AG. The Pzf 44 entered German service during mid-sixties and in several modifications served until mid-eighties, when it was replaced by more modern Panzerfaust 3 (Pzf 3) weapon.

Panzerfaust 44 “Lanze” (Pzf 44) consists of a recoil-less launcher which fires rocket-assisted grenade with shaped-charge HEAT warhead using Davis counter-recoil principle. The launcher is reusable, and consists of a smoothbore barrel, open at both ends. At the bottom, it has a trigger unit with shoulder rest, and the front grip. trigger unit is somewhat unusual as it uses special ignition cartridges, loaded into box magazine, to ignite launching charge in the barrel through the hole in the barrel wall. The recoilless launching cartridge consist of a black powder charge and a counter-mass, made of powdered iron.

Upon discharge, the iron powder is ejected through the rear end of open barrel, providing counter-mass for projectile and decreasing the backblast danger zone. The cartridge is carried and loaded separately, and projectile is attached to it only when cartridge is partially loaded into the launcher. The standard projectile is a HEAT warhead fitted with rocket booster and folding stabilization fins. Muzzle velocity of projectile is about 170 m/s, and rocket booster increases it up to about 210 m/s, resulting in maximum firing range of about 1000 m (accurate fire against tanks is possible at ranges up to 300-400 meters). Standard sight is telescope, with three sighting marks for ranges of 200, 400 and 1000 meters.

Panzerfaust 44 Lanze (Pzf 44) grenade launcher in ready to fire configuration

Top, Pzf 44 grenade with rocket booster and fins folded; bottom, recoilless launch cartridge

Pzf 44 grenade in in-flight configuration

German soldier prepares to fire Pzf 44

Caliber: 44 mm barrel, 67mm warhead
Type: recoilless launch + rocket booster
Overall length: 880 mm launcher; 1162 mm ready to fire
Weight: 7,8 kg unloaded with telescope sight, 10,3 kg loaded and ready to fire
Effective range: up to 300 m against moving targets
Armor penetration: 370 mm

The QLB-06 / QLZ-87B grenade launcher is a further evolution of Chinese QLZ-87 automatic grenade launcher. It was first unveiled to general public in 2006. The double designation (QLB-06 or QLZ-87B) stems from the fact that internal Chinese sources (press) call this weapon as QLB-06, while Poly Technologies Inc, an export corporation of PLA, calls it QLZ-87B in its advertising literature. Either way, this weapon is a further step in direction of a lightweight, one-man portable infantry support weapon which can be used on squad or platoon level. Because this weapon is even lighter than its predecessor, the QLZ-87, an automatic fire mode was abandoned, and the design was changed to better suit “rifle-type” shooting positions using integral bipod. Magazine capacity also was decreased. Nevertheless, it appears that basic action of the gun remained more or less the same. It is yet to be seen if this weapon will prove itself any good, but on paper it seems as a formidable squad- or platoon-support weapon against both enemy personnel or light armor.

The QLB-06 / QLZ-87B grenade launcher is gas operated weapon that uses direct gas impingement system. Barrel is locking by rotary bolt. Unlike its precursor, QLB-06 / QLZ-87B grenade launcher uses separate cocking handle on the right side of a newly designed aluminum alloy receiver. Cocking handle is of folding type. Barrel is fitted with prominent muzzle brake, and action employs an additional recoil buffer for moving parts in attempt to decrease the felt recoil. Gun is fitted with standard pistol grip with trigger and manual safety. Folding bipod is attached to the barrel. Adjustable open sights are installed on the top of the integral carrying handle, and a Picatinny rail is provided on the left side of receiver for installation of the telescope or night sight. 3X fixed magnification telescope sight appears to be a standard issue accessory for this weapon.
Ammunition range (DF 35mm) includes HE, HE-DP, HE-I and practice (marking) rounds, with maximum range of about 1750 meters. Muzzle velocity is about 190 m/s, complete round weights about 250 gram. For HE ammunition, lethal radius of fragments against infantry is listed as 10-11 meters. For HE-DP ammunition, armor penetration is listed as 80mm RHA (probably at 90o).

QLB-06 / QLZ-87B grenade launcher, left side

QLB-06 / QLZ-87B grenade launcher, right side

Caliber: 35×32mm SR
Type: gas operated, magazine fed semi-automatic grenade launcher
Overall length: 1046 mm
Weight: 9,1 kg unloaded
Effective range: up to 600 m (point targets), 1000 m (area targets)
Feed and capacity: drum magazine, 4 or 6 rounds

PAW-20 (PAW stands for Personal Assault Weapon) is a most recent development of the South-African company Gemaco Elbree Pty Ltd, and is marketed by South African military corporation DENEL. Ammunition of new type, developed for PAW-20, is produced by the PMP – DENEL munitions. While in some advertising texts the PAW-20 was listed as a “new assault rifle”, it is obviously not a true assault rifle, but, rather a semi-automatic grenade launcher, which is intended as an infantry support weapon. PAW-20 fires specially developed explosive ammunition of 20mm caliber, using relatively short, straight cartridge cases. Muzzle velocity is about 300 m/s, which is quite low by artillery standards but rather high by standards of hand-held grenade launchers. Intended targets for PAW-20 are infantry in the open and behind light covers, as well as unarmored or lightly armored vehicles and thin-walled buildings. While maximum effective range for PAW-20 is given as 1000 meters, it is obviously stated for “area” targets such as groups of soldiers; against point targets like cars or machine gun nests, effective range will be much less probably no more than 300-400 meters – unless gun will be used in conjunction with laser rangefinder and computerized sight with built-in ballistic calculator.

Standard ammunition at this time is available in HE, HE-I and TP (practice) variety, with other types being in development. Weight of the round warhead is listed as 105 gram, and it seems that new round consists of a standard 20mm projectile (as used in aircraft cannons) loaded into short, straight-walled case of 42mm length. All ammunition is point-detonating only, unlike the American XM-25, to which PAW-20 is a direct competitor.

PAW-20 is semiautomatic, gas operated weapon with rotary bolt locking. The entire barrel / bolt group is allowed to recoil within the polymer gun housing for about 75mm (3″), in attempt to decrease peak recoil down to manageable level. General layout of the gun is somewhat unusual as the pistol grip with the trigger is located at the right side of the receiver. Gun is fed from detachable box magazines which hold 7 rounds of ammunition. Empty cartridge cases are ejected through the window on the left side of the weapon, right in the front of the firer’s face. Sighting equipment is installed on two Picatinny-type rails located in parallel at the top of the gun housing. Preferred sighting arrangement seems to be a red-dot type collimating sight, but other sight options also available.

PAW-20 grenade launcher, right side. Note that it has dual Picatinny rails which host collimating (red dot) sight at left, and a laser pointer at right

PAW-20 with night vision sight and laser pointer. Note that magazine projects well below its housing

Representative of DENEL Corp demonstrates PAW-20 weapon

20mm ammunition for PAW-20 grenade launcher (shown are High Explosive Incendiary rounds)

Caliber: 20×42
Type: semiautomatic, magazine fed
Overall length: 845 mm
Weight: 5.9 kg unloaded
Effective range: up to 1000 m (area targets)
Magazine capacity: 7 rounds

Swedish arms designers began to experiment with recoilless antitank rifles in early 1940s. Their first design, a shoulder-fired, single shot weapon, fired a 20mm solid projectile from a rifled barrel. This design has been adopted by Swedish army in 1942 as the m/42, but its small-caliber solid projectile was hardly effective against the new tanks, which emerged during the Second World war. By the mid-1940s, Swedish designers adopted the idea of the shaped-charge HEAT ammunition, and by the 1946 produced their first prototype of the large-caliber recoilless rifle, which fired HEAT grenades. This single-shot, shoulder fired weapon quickly evolved into the “Granatgevär 8.4cm m/48 Carl-Gustaf”, or “Grenade rifle, caliber 84mm, model of 1948″. This simple and effective weapon attracted significant interest and has been adopted by a significant number of military forces around the world. Other than Sweden, Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles were adopted by Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, USA and several other countries. Initial production was by the FFV factories, latter transferred to the SAAB-Bofors Dynamics AB, which is the current manufacturer of both M3 rifle and 84mm ammunition. The ammunition also is manufactured in several countries which use the Carl-Gustaf launchers, including the Belgium and India.
While the Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle / launcher was initially devised as an antitank weapon, its tactical role was quickly expanded with adoption of various other types of ammunition, such as high-explosive fragmentation rounds, close-defense shrapnel-type rounds, smoke, illumination and several other types of warheads. In fact, the Carl-Gustaf series recoilless rifles / launchers are among the most versatile weapons of the “one man artillery” type, extremely popular and widely used. Their only drawback is the bulk and weight of the launcher itself, which is significantly heavier than its major rival, the venerable RPG-7 antitank grenade launcher.
The Carl-Gustaf series recoilless rifles / launchers are single shot, breech loading weapons with rifled barrels. Unitary ammunition of 84mm caliber is loaded into aluminum cases with open bottoms, closed by plastic pressure discs. The primers are located at the side of the cartridge case, so the round must be properly aligned in the bore upon the loading. To achieve that, the case rim has a special indexing recess. Most types of projectiles are just warheads which are “blown out” of the barrel by the propellant charge, but some most recently developed types of ammunition has built-in rocket boosters, which are ignited as the round reaches safe distance from the shooter, greatly improving the maximum effective range. The rear part of the barrel is fitted with venturi nozzle, which is hinged to allow loading of the ammunition and ejection of the fired cases or unfired rounds. The M2 (m/48) barrels are made from steel, and the M3 (m/86) barrels are made from thin steel liners enclosed into polymer wrapping, so the M3 launcher is significantly lighter. The firing unit consists of the pistol grip with the trigger and manual safety, which is linked to the ignition module at the rear of the weapon by the tube, located below and to the right of the barrel. Under the barrel, there’s also a shoulder rest, an adjustable bipod, and a front support grip. The Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifles / launchers are fitted with folding open sights, located at the left side of the barrel, but usually issued with telescope sight of 2X or 3X magnification, which has range-finding reticule and can be adjusted for temperature and wing conditions.
Standard crew for Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle / launcher is two men, shooter and loader. Ammunition is usually carried in special plastic containers, which hold two types of ammunition each. Most modern HEAT rounds for Carl-Gustaf feature either single or a tandem shaped-charge warhead, and a rocket booster for increased range, and can penetrate up to 500 mm of armor behind the ERA protection.

Carl-Gustaf M2 (Swedish designation m/48) antitank recoilless rifle

Carl-Gustaf M3 (Swedish designation m/86) antitank recoilless rifle

Carl-Gustaf M2 recoilless rifle / launcher with the breech open for loading

Canadian soldier reloads the Carl-Gustaf M3 recoilless rifle

Just two types of many dozens of different 84mm rounds – the rocket-boosted HEAT round at left, and the HE-FRAG round at right, both made in Belgium by Mecar.

The RPG-7 is a further development of the previous RPG-2 antitank grenade launcher. RPG-7, in its first version, known as RPG-7V, has been adopted by Soviet army in 1961, and still is widely fielded in Russia and at least 50 more countries. By far, RPG-7 can be considered as one of the most successful antitank grenade launchers ever made. Initially thought as an anti-armor weapon, it latter has been adopted for other fire-support missions by introduction of various types of grenades, such as anti-infantry HE-FRAG, multi-purpose Thermobaric / FAE, and some other types of ammunition. The antitank grenades for RPG-7 also came a long way, from original PG-7V grenade, with penetration of about 260mm/10inches of RHA, and up to 500mm/20inches of RHA or 1.5 meters/5ft of brick wall with single-warhead PG-7VL grenade, developed in 1977. By the late 1980s, a tandem-type PG-7VR grenade has been introduced. This grenade has two warheads and is intended against the most modern tanks, fitted with ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor). Front warhead sets off the ERA, and second warhead then penetrates more than 600mm/24in of armor.The RPG-7 is a shoulder fired, single-shot, smoothbore recoilless launcher. Grenades are loaded from the front, and the rear of the barrel is fitted with venturi nozzle. Because of the recoilless design, there is a dangerous backblast zone, more than 20 meters/60ft long. The antitank grenades are of combination type, using a charge of smokeless powder for RCL-type launch. Once grenade reaches safe distance from the shooter (about 10-20 meters), the built-in rocket booster engine ignites and further accelerates the grenade, greatly enhancing the effective range (up to 500+ meters for single warhead grenades, up to 200+ meters for much heavier tandem or FAE grenades). Because of increase in range, RPG-7 is usually issued with 2.7X fixed magnification optical sight, designated PGO-7. The sight has a range-finding scale for typical targets (tanks) with height of 2.7m/9ft, and windage adjustment scales. RPG-7 also fitted with backup iron sights. RPG-7 uses mechanical ignition system with manually cocked external hammer, and a single-action trigger. Because of this, grenade must be properly aligned with the firing mechanism upon loading.
Each AT grenade consists of a large-caliber HEAT warhead with base fuze, with the 40mm diameter rocket engine behind. The rocket nozzles are located at the front of the engine, close to the warhead. The tail of the rocket is fitted with folding stabiliztator fins, which are extended when grenade leaves the barrel. The launch charge, made of black powder, is loaded into a combustible cardboard case, and attached to the rear of the grenade prior to loading into launcher. Grenades and launch charges are carried in special backpacks. By the original soviet standards, grenadier carries two rounds, and his assistant carries three more. There were several minor upgrades to the basic design of the RPG-7 in USSR and Russia, the most important being the RPG-7D, with two-part takedown barrel, which was issued to the airborne troops. Since RPG-7 was, and still is manufactured in many countries (such as Bulgaria, China, Iraq and Romania, to name a few), there are plenty of modifications in launcher, and, more important, in grenades.
RPG-7 is a simple and inexpensive weapon, yet it possess a high threat to most modern tanks, and also can serve in a number of other roles, making it a true one-man artillery.

RPG-7V antitank grenade launcher with PGO-7 telescope sight and a PG-7VM grenade in ready to load condition (with launch charge attached)

RPG-7D antitank grenade launcher (version for airborne troops), disassembled for transportation / airdrop

PG-7VM HEAT grenade cut-out

PG-7VL HEAT grenade

PG-7VR tandem (dual-warhead) HEAT grenade

TBG-7V Thermobaric (FAE) grenade

OG-7V fragmentation antipersonnel grenade (1999)

Caliber: 40 mm launcher; 40 and 70 – 105mm warheads (depending on the grenade model)
Type: recoilless launch + rocket booster
Overall length: 650 mm
Weight: 6.3 kg unloaded, with PGO-7 telescope sight
Effective range: 200-500 meters, depending on the grenade type

Some grenades, used in RPG-7 (Soviet/Russian origins)

After much experimentation with locally built copies of Soviet AGS-17 grenade launcher, Chinese experts developed their own concept of such infantry support weapon. For some reasons they decided to trade some firepower for mobility, and to develop the lightest possible weapon, which can be operated and carried on battlefield by a single man. Furthermore, they developed their own 35mm grenade ammunition. To achieve minimum weight of weapon, they used locked breech action (that minimizes weight of recoiling parts) and discarded the complicated belt feed in the favor of much simpler magazine feed. early experiments were conducted with weapons known as W-87. these were distinguishable by wood buttstocks, bottom pistol grips and large conical flash hiders. W-87 launchers used top feed with box or drum magazines. With the time the design evolved, and several years ago PLA adopted the QLZ-87 automatic grenade launcher, that is a further development of W-87. At the present time (early 1987) the QLZ-87 launcher is being used by Chinese troops of Hong Kong garrison, as well as by some units located near the strait that separates mainland China and Taiwan. From available information it seems that QLZ-87 still has some teething problems and probably will be gradually improved in coming years.The QLZ-87 grenade launcher is gas operated, locked breech weapon that uses rotary bolt and direct gas impingement system probably borrowed from M16 rifle. Gas system is fitted with manual adjustment valve. Charging of the weapon is conducted by pulling back and forward the pistol grip which is (unusually) located at the right side of weapon. This pistol grip is accompanied with trigger and safety/fire selector that allows for single shots and full auto fire. The steel receiver is of tubular shape and rather slim; at the top of the receiver there is a fixed carrying handle. Rear part of receiver is fitted with rubber shoulder pad. Feed is using drum magazines of various diameter, that can hold 6, 9, 12 or 15 rounds; standard capacities seem to be 6 or 15 rounds. Drums are attached at the bottom of the gun, unlike earlier W87 weapons. The smaller capacity drums are used in “light” configuration when gun is used from integral bipod; larger capacity drums are mostly used in heavy configuration, when gun is used from special tripod. Standard sighting equipment is telescope sight with fixed magnification which is offset to the left to provide low profile of weapon while firing at high angles.
It must be noted that rate of fire of QLZ-87 is rather high for such a weapon, especially consider its relatively low weight, and it must be a tough task to control the gun in full auto fire, especially in “light’ configuration. Relatively small magazine capacity (even the biggest 15-round magazine holds two times less ammunition than a belt box for AGS-17 or Mk.19 launchers) also decreases the suppressive fire capabilities of the QLZ-87, but it seems that PLA experts prefer maneuverability over firepower.
There are few types of 35mm ammunition for QLZ-87 weapon; these include fragmentation shells that provide kill zone with claimed radius of about 10 meters, and armor piercing grenades with penetration up to 80 mm (not confirmed). The weight of complete 35mm round is about 250 gram, muzzle velocity about 190 m/s.

35mm W87 experimental automatic grenade launcher of late 1990s

35mm QLZ-87 automatic grenade launcher in “light” configuration (on bipod, with 6-round drum), left side

QLZ-87 grenade launcher in “heavy” configuration (on tripod, with 15-round drum), right side

Chinese soldier fires QLZ-87 grenade launcher

Caliber: 35×32mm SR
Type: gas operated, magazine fed automatic grenade launcher
Overall length: 970 mm
Weight: 12 kg in light configuration (with scope and bipod, less magazine); 20kg on tripod, less magazine
Effective range: up to 600 m point targets; 1700 m maximum.
Rate of fire: 500 rounds per minute

The origins of the XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon (ACSW), also known as XM307 25mm Airbursting Weapon System, lie in the several military documents, published in USA during late 1980s. These documents stated that current small arms have reached its peak in development, and the only currently possible way to increase combat effectiveness and single-shot lethality of such weapons is do develop new guns that will fire air-bursting munitions with programmable fuses. Following these conclusions, US Army initiated development of several so-called Objective weapons; two most famous of these were XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) and XM307 Objective Crew-Served Weapon (OCSW), currently renamed to Advanced Crew-Served Weapon (ACSW). After much development, the prime contractor for ACSW program was selected as General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (GDATP). The development team for ACSW also includes General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (air-bursting ammunition), Kaman Dayron Inc (programmable fuze) and Raytheon (computerized fire control system). First demonstrated in around 1999 as 25mm OCSW, at the present time (early 2006) the XM307 ACSW is on advanced stages of development, with several prototypes already tested with live ammunition, including air-bursting rounds.Initial plans called for first US Army units to be equipped with 25mm M307 ACSW weapons by 2008; M307 shall replace in service the older weapons like Mk.19 Mod.3 40mm grenade launchers and .50 caliber M2HB machine guns. For added versatility, XM307 can be easily converted to fire .50 caliber machinegun ammunition (12.7×99) with replacement of just 5 parts.
The key to greatly increased combat effectiveness of ACSW system is programmable air-bursting ammunition, which will be used in conjunction with electronic fire control unit. This ammunition will allow to precisely engage enemy personnel in open or in defilade, without the need for direct impact in the target area. Other types of ammunition proposed for XM307 ACSW are HEAT (with required armor penetration up to 5cm / 2in), less-lethal (with tear gas for peace-keeping applications) and training rounds with dummy warheads.
It is obvious that by the year 2008 the XM307 will enter into strong competition with several 40mm air-bursting weapons such as Mk.47 Striker 40, and the outcome of this competition is hardly predictable, as either system has its own merits and downsizes. ACSW is certainly lighter, fires lighter ammunition (allowing to carry more ammo in the same weight), and has longer range. 40mm weapons fire bigger warheads and can use huge stocks of already existing and well developed NATO-standard ammunition of various types, including point-detonating FRAG, HEDP, AP, less-lethal and many others.

XM307 Advanced Crew Served Weapon is gas operated, rotating bolt locked weapon that uses differential recoil system for decreased peak recoil. XM307 is belt fed weapon that fires from open bolt. The differential recoil system means that barrel and bolt group are allowed to recoil within the receiver casing together, against the recoil springs. When weapon is cocked for first shot, bolt is locked open and the entire barrel/bolt group is carried rearwards and also locked there. Upon the pull of the trigger both barrel group and the bolt inside it are released, and the bolt loads the round and locks it in chamber while barrel still moves forward; firing pin is then released immediately, and the recoil from the discharge first has to arrest the forward movement of the barrel group, and then throws it backward with less force than it would in the traditional system with fixed barrel. The belt feed and bolt cycling are operated by conventional gas action. The fire control unit includes zoomable day and night vision channels that output the sight picture to the small display at the rear of the sight. Integral laser range-finder allows for precise range measurement, necessary for automatic point of aim correction and for programming of the air-bursting fuzes. XM307 weapon is fitted with dual, ergonomically shaped spade grips with triggers and fire and sight control buttons. Additional buttons are located at the rear of the sight / fire control unit, below the eyepiece. In standard applications, XM307 can be used either on lightweight infantry tripod, or on vehicle mounts, manually or remotely controlled. For vehicular applications, GDATP will develop the dual feed option, which will allow to select the type of ammunition (anti-personnel HEAB or armour-piercing) at the instant before firing.

XM307 ACSW grenade launcher, front view

XM307 ACSW grenade launcher, rear view

XM307 ACSW grenade launcher on field trials

Caliber: 25×59mm
Type: gas operated, belt fed automatic grenade launcher
Overall length: 1328 mm
Weight: 22.7 kg complete with tripod mount and sight / fire control unit
Effective range: up to 2000 m against point targets, 3600 m maximum
Rate of fire: 250 rounds per minute

The HK69 grenade launcher has been developed by the famous company Heckler-Koch from Germany. This launcher has been adopted by the Bundeswehr (German army) in 1974 as the “Granatpistole 40 mm”, or “GraPi 40mm” in short. This weapon is also offered for export under its original name, the HK69.HK69 is a single shot, breech-loading weapon with rifled barrel. The barrel is made of steel, and is hinged to the receiver to be tipped up at the rear for loading and unloading. The single-action firing mechanism has an exposed hammer and ambidextrous manual safety, located above the trigger. The barrel latch, which unlocks the barrel for reloading, is located next to the hammer but operates independently, so the launcher could be safely reloaded with the hammer down, and the hammer can be cocked later at necessary moment. The launcher is fitted with polymer pistol grip and with retractable shoulder stock with rubber buttpad. The sights consist of a front blade and a folding-down ladder sight, graduated from 50 to 400 meters in 50m increments, with additional “short-range” flip up rear sight, graduated for 50 and 100 meters range. The HK69 can fire all types of 40mm low-velocity ammunition, including the HE-FRAG, HE-DP, smoke, illuminating and various less-lethal (tear gas canister, rubber baton) rounds.

HK69 grenade launcher, with shoulder stock retracted; short-range rear sight in ready position

HK69 grenade launcher, with shoulder stock extended

HK69 grenade launcher, ladder sight in ready position

Caliber: 40mm (40×46)
Overall length: 683 mm with stock extended; 463 mm with stock retracted
Weight: 2.76 kg unloaded
Effective range: up to 150 meters point target, up to 350 meters area targets