- lethal effects up to 900m,
- increased first-hit capability,
- significantly reduced time-of-flight.
This Automatic, magazine-loaded, shoulder fired grenade launcher, with a size and weight similar to an assault rifle, has a self-regulating recoil system, enabling the platform to fire fire all available 40mm Low Velocity (LV) ammunition types as well as the Rheinmetall 40mm Medium Velocity (MV) ammunition.
No this isn’t form the newest Bolter from Warhammer 40k universe; this is the REAL DEAL, and unfortunately, we aren’t gonna get to play with them….But here’s to wishing we could!
Rheinmetall is introducing at DSEI 2023 a new Squad Support Weapon (SSW) designed to fire 40mm grenade ammunition As fire support weapon for infantry squads. SSW is an automatic, magazine-loaded, shoulder fired grenade launcher, with a size and weight similar to an assault rifle.
Rheinmetall supplies a wide range of 40-mm low, medium and high velocity cartridges that offer high precision and reliability in all climatic conditions. The SSW40 grenade launcher rounds off the portfolio.
SSW40* is an automatic, magazine-loaded 40-mm grenade launcher, designed for highest firepower in a shoulder-fired grenade launcher. Its dimensions, low weight and ergonomics make SSW40 extremely accurate and easy to handle over longer periods. The self-regulating dampening system allows SSW40 to fire 40-mm MV-ammunition as well as 40mm LV-ammunition with minimized user stress.
The weapon use a recoil-reduction mechanism and self-regulating recoil system, enabling the SSW40 fire all available 40mm Low Velocity (LV) ammunition types as well as the Rheinmetall 40mm Medium Velocity (MV) ammunition. The new MV ammunition has significantly increased velocity and a flat trajectory, compared to the LV rounds, allowing targets to be engaged more quickly and increasing the effective range of the system to 900m. Until now, these grenades could be fire only by bigger and heaver automatic grenade launchers.
Development of the SSW40 will be completed in this year, the company said in a statement. The weapon will be able to use the HE Fragmentation (HEFRAG), Anti-Tank (HEDP) , Door Breaching (HEBE), Air Burst (HEAB), Training (TPM, TPM-T), Illumination / Fog, Flash&Bang and ‘tear gas’ Riot Control Ammunition (CS). Different grenade types can be loaded to magazines holding five grenades each, enabling grenadiers to quickly change ammo, use versatile firepower, and employ escalation of force when necessary, even against medium-weight armored vehicles. The interfaces on the SSW40 also allow the use of accessories, including laser light modules, fire control units, IR programmers for airburst ammunition, as well as integration on ring mounts and bipods.
