The APAV 40 (anti-personnel/anti-véhicule, 40mm) is a 40 mm dual purpose rifle grenade used by the French Army.
| Anti-personnel/anti-véhicule, 40mm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Rifle grenade |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| Used by | French Army |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1956 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 405 g (14.3 oz)[1] |
| Length | 352 mm (13.9 in)[1] |
| Diameter | 53 mm (2.1 in) (outer fins) |
| Calibre | 40 mm (1.6 in)[1] |
| Filling | hexogen-tolite |
| Filling weight | 80 g (2.8 oz) |
Design
editThe APAV 40 is a dual purpose, anti-personnel (AP) and anti-vehicle (AV), 40 mm rifle-grenade. It has a mass of 405 g (14.3 oz),[1] and a tail with stabilizing fins. Explosion is triggered by an impact fuse.[citation needed]
Two versions of the APAV 40 exist:
- the older F1 model which must be fired with a blank cartridge[citation needed]
- the current F2 model which uses a bullet-trap that allows using live rounds[citation needed]
Use
edit
To launch, the APAV40 F2 is placed over the muzzle of a FAMAS or any NATO rifle with a (22 mm) STANAG muzzle device. Then the rifle is aimed at the target and fired. The impact of the bullet striking the bullet-trap and the expanding gases launch and arm the grenade, which explodes on impact.[citation needed]
In its antipersonnel capacity, the APAV 40 is used in indirect fire. The APAV 40 has a lethal radius of 12 m (13 yd) and its shrapnel is dangerous up to 100 m (110 yd) away.[1]
In its anti-vehicle capacity, the APAV 40 is used in direct fire. Under an optimal angle, the APAV 40 is capable of piercing 100 mm (3.9 in) of armour.[1]
The FAMAS provides an alidade sight for launching the grenade from 170 to 320 m (560 to 1,050 ft). The FAMAS can also be inclined/angled by 45°, to allow fire from 75 to 100 m (246 to 328 ft), with 20-metre increments; or by 74°, to allow fire from 60 to 170 m (200 to 560 ft), with 10 m (11 yd) increments. French rifle grenades are notorious for having extremely strong recoil, so strong that one who does not properly brace themselves will often fall over.[citation needed]
See also
editSources and references
edit- ^ a b c d e f Lycaon (2010-06-01). "Le tir des grenades" (in French). Eklablog.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
French army manual on rifle grenades dated 1966 with an illustration of the APAV 40 (70 MR 61) and text on pages 29 to 31 Archived 2013-03-22 at the Wayback Machine