View source for Engineering:Heckler & Koch AG36

{{Infobox weapon
|name=AG36
|image=GewehrAG36.jpg
|image_size=300
|caption=The AG36 grenade launcher mounted to a G36 A2 rifle of the German Army
|origin=Germany
|type=[[Engineering:Grenade launcher|Grenade launcher]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service=
|used_by=See ''Users''
|wars=Afghanistan War, Iraq War
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=Heckler & Koch
|design_date=
|manufacturer=Heckler & Koch
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|number=
|variants=AG-C, L17A1, L123A2, M320
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=
|weight={{convert|1.5|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|350|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
|part_length={{convert|280|mm|abbr=on|1}}
|width={{convert|90|mm|abbr=on|1}}
|height={{convert|210|mm|abbr=on|1}}
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=[[Engineering:40 mm grenade|40×46mm grenade]]
|action=Breech-loaded, tilting barrel
|rate=Single-shot
|velocity={{convert|76|m/s|0|abbr=on}}
|range=
|max_range=
|feed=Manually loaded
|sights=Folding ladder sight<br /> {{convert|150|mm|abbr=on|1}} sight radius
}}

The '''AG36''' is a single-shot 40 mm [[Engineering:Grenade launcher|grenade launcher]] that operates on the High-Low System and was designed primarily for installation on the G36 [[Engineering:Assault rifle|assault rifle]], designed by the German weapons manufacturing company Heckler & Koch of Oberndorf am Neckar. It originally appeared as Heckler & Koch's candidate for the US Army's Enhanced Grenade Launcher requirement, evaluated for use with the XM8 and [[Engineering:FN SCAR|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 stand-alone model, or a [[Engineering:LLM01|LLM01]] laser light module can be attached to it.

==Design details==
[[File:Latvian G36KV.JPEG|left|thumb|The AG36 on a Latvian G36KV carbine.]]

As in many modern weapon systems, including the G36 series, extensive use of [[Chemistry:Polymer|polymer]]s and high-strength [[Chemistry:Aluminium|aluminium]] in the AG36 launcher contributes to its low mass and high durability. It is capable of firing almost all [[Engineering:40 mm grenade|40×46mm]] [[Engineering:Cartridge (firearms)|grenade rounds]], including plastic training cartridges, flexible baton rounds, [[Chemistry:CS gas|CS gas]], and oleoresin capsicum (OC, the same chemical used in [[Chemistry:Pepper spray|pepper spray]]) gas cartridges, white phosphorus, and HE ammunition. Once attached, the AG36 does not affect the accuracy of the rifle or its handling and operating functions. The AG36 is a 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 [[Engineering:M203 grenade launcher|M203]], the AG36 swings out laterally for loading, allowing for the use of longer rounds when necessary, e.g. baton 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 and 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 [[Engineering:M16 rifle|M16]]-series and the Diemaco C7 and C8.

==Variants==
The '''L17A1''' and '''L123A2 UGL'''<ref>[http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/36563/response/96971/attach/3/07%2006%202010%20162425%20003%20Matthew%20Davis.pdf DE&S response to freedom of information request]</ref> (Underslung Grenade Launcher) are the under-barrel 40&nbsp;mm grenade launchers used by the British Army in conjunction with the L85A2 rifle (L123A2 UGL), and in small numbers with the L119A1 [[Engineering:Carbine|carbine]] used by United Kingdom Special Forces and the Pathfinder Platoon (L17A1 UGL). It is designed and built by Heckler & Koch and is a modified variant of the AG36. The UGL was first deployed during Operation Telic in 2003. The UGL replaced the muzzle-launched [[Engineering:Rifle Grenade General Service|Rifle Grenade General Service]]. One UGL is issued per fireteam within infantry battalions.

A further version of the AG36 is the Heckler & Koch AG-C/EGLM.

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

[[File:L85A2 with L123A1 UGL.jpg|thumb|AG36 fitted to the L85A2 rifle.]]
* {{flag|Montenegro}}
* {{flag|France}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/38273/france-launches-famas-replacement-tender|title=France launches FAMAS replacement tender|publisher=www.janes.com |date=2014-05-22|accessdate=2014-05-23}}</ref>
* {{flag|Germany}}: Replacing the Heckler & Koch HK69A1.<ref name="kemp2007">{{cite web |url=http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200712032016291.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2010-04-12 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922130940/http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200712032016291.pdf |archivedate=2010-09-22 |df= }}</ref>
* {{flag|Latvia}}<ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010''. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.</ref>
* {{flag|Lithuania}}: Lithuanian Armed Forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kariuomene.kam.lt/lt/ginkluote_ir_karine_technika/granatsvaidziai_ir_priestankiniai_ginklai/povamzdinis_granatsvaidis_ag-36.html |title=Lietuvos kariuomenė :: Ginkluotė ir karinė technika » Granatsvaidžiai ir prieštankiniai ginklai » Povamzdinis granatsvaidis AG-36 |language=lt |publisher=Kariuomene.kam.lt |date=2009-04-17 |accessdate=2011-04-08}}</ref>
* {{MAS}}<ref>{{cite journal |last= Dan|first=Alex|date=9 February 2016|title=PASKAL Malaysian Special Forces Weapons |journal=Military Factory |volume= |issue=Small Arms |pages= |id= |url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/paskal-special-forces-weapons.asp|accessdate=14 February 2016}}</ref>
* {{flag|Netherlands}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
* {{flag|Portugal}}:<ref>[http://www.operacional.pt/afeganistao-unidade-de-proteccao-da-forca-em-operacoes/ ]</ref>
* {{flag|Kosovo}}:<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/ks-ksf.htm Kosovo Security Force], GlobalSecurity.org</ref>
* {{flag|Spain}}<ref name="jones2009"/>
* {{flag|Turkey}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/turkey_army_turkish_land_forces_modern_military_equipment_armoured_vehicle_._equipements_v_hicules_b.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-12-23 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311142209/http://www.armyrecognition.com/turkey_army_turkish_land_forces_modern_military_equipment_armoured_vehicle_._equipements_v_hicules_b.html |archivedate=2010-03-11 |df= }}</ref><ref>weaponsystems.net/weapon.php?weapon=BB02%20-%20AG36</ref>
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: L123A2 Variant
* {{flag|United States}}: Designated as M320 grenade launcher

==See also==
* [[Engineering:M203 grenade launcher|M203 grenade launcher]]
* M320 grenade launcher
* [[Engineering:GP-25|GP-25]]
* [[Engineering:Milkor 40mm UBGL grenade launcher|Milkor UBGL]]
* Heckler & Koch AG-C/GLM

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.heckler-koch.de/HKWebText/detailProd/2003/119/4/17 Heckler & Koch – official page]
* [https://www.webcitation.org/67VkHvnmR?url=http://world.guns.ru/grenade/de/hk-ag36-ag-c-e.html Modern Firearms]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100922130940/http://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/upload/200712032016291.pdf The Infantry's Explosive Punch (Asian Military Review article)]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Heckler and Koch AG36}}
[[Category:Grenade launchers]]

{{Sourceattribution|Heckler &amp; Koch AG36|1}}