Grenade Launcher
A man-portable or crew-served firearm for launching explosive, smoke, or gas projectiles.
A grenade launcher is a weapon that fires a specially designed, large caliber projectile, often with an explosive, smoke, or gas warhead. Today, the term generally refers to a class of dedicated firearms firing unitary grenade cartridges, such as the widely used 40mm type. The most common type are man-portable, shoulder-fired weapons issued to individuals, although larger crew-served launchers are issued at higher levels of organization by military forces.
- Type
- Explosive Launcher
- Ammunition
- Grenades (limited supply)
- Fire Mode
- Single-shot, high arc
- Damage
- High (one-hit kill on direct hit or near miss)
- First Appears
- GoldenEye 007 (1997)
- Role
- Area denial, crowd control
Lore & Background
The source article does not mention the film *GoldenEye* or any video game. It provides a historical overview of grenade launchers, including early precursors like slings and hand mortars, hand grenade launchers from World War I, rifle grenades, and modern types such as stand-alone and attached launchers.
In Their Own Story
The cold concrete walls of the bunker echoed with the clatter of boots. Bond crouched behind a crate, the Grenade Launcher heavy in his hands. Ahead, a squad of guards clustered around a console. He aimed high, accounting for the arc, and squeezed the trigger. The grenade sailed over their heads, bounced once, and detonated in a brilliant flash. The shockwave rattled the room, and when the smoke cleared, the guards were down. Bond moved on, the weapon's single remaining round a silent promise of more trouble to come.
Reader's Guide
The source article does not provide gameplay or usage instructions for any specific game or film. It describes general operation: stand-alone launchers are breech-loading or multi-shot, while attached launchers mount under a rifle barrel and have their own trigger group. Aiming typically uses a separate sight.
Did You Know?
- The earliest devices referred to as grenade launchers were slings used to throw early grenado fuse bombs.
- The M79 grenade launcher was a result of the American Special Purpose Individual Weapon program.
- Underbarrel grenade launchers reduce the weight a soldier must carry by eliminating the launcher's buttstock.
- Rifle grenades can be fired using live rounds with 'bullet trap' or 'shoot through' systems.
More in Items & Equipment
Elsewhere in the GoldenEye universe
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