Weapon Name- Type 06 Rifle Grenade - Mk. III
Round Type- Rifle Grenade
Over-all length- 9.1 inches
Barrel length- N/A
Weight- 1.3 lb (590 grams) - HE Filler .65 pounds (290 grams)
Rate of Fire- 10 RPM
Feed Mechanism- Overbarrel attachment
Round Capacity- 1
Effective Range- 300 meters
Range- 800 meters
Accuracy- 2.5 MOA
Accessories- N/A
Quick switch firing mechanism- N/A
Scope/Sights- Rifle grenade sight
Muzzle Velocity- 115 m/s
Firing System- Rifle grenade cup system
Miscellaneous/electronic information- The weapon is a rifle assisted rifle grenade designed to be adapted to be fired off of modern firearms.
Basic Information
The weapon is a rifle assisted rifle grenade designed to be adapted to be fired off of modern firearms. Rifle grenades fell out of fashion after under barrel grenade launchers became more popular, and battle rifles were phased off by the weaker assault rifles with shorter range. Rifle grenades were also largely replaced by rocket launchers, however due to the lower weight of rifle grenades, could not completely supplement their capabilities. Despite this, rifle grenades still offered many advantages over both rocket launcher sand grenade launchers, serving as a middle ground between the two and offering different advantages. As most rocket launchers cannot defeat main battle tanks, but are usually more powerful than is necessary to defeat APC's or light vehicles, rifle grenades fit a unique role in that they can take out APC's or similar vehicles for far less weight and expense, making them more viable for the modern battlefield. Rifle grenades were replaced at a time when they were used as anti-tank weapons, but as this is no longer a role they are intended for their total replacement is not necessary. Combined with modern techniques such as superior shaped charged explosives, better fragmentation patterns giving a longer range, and better rockets, the range and power of the grenades can also increase, improving their effectiveness. Furthermore, rifle grenades typically have approximately 300-400 grams of explosive, compared to approximately 32 grams for a 40mm grenade, possessing approximately 10 times the explosive, despite only being 2.5 times heavier, giving far greater concussive power than 40mm grenades, and a far greater lethal range, giving them an advantage over 40mm grenades in terms of power, particularly in room clearing operations. Whether for door or wall breaching, or clearing out rooms, the rounds typically offer an advantage in range and power, giving it a unique placement over 40mm grenades. Original rifle grenades had the same or shorter range as low velocity 40mm grenades, but modern rifle systems and rockets give them a far greater than before, increasing their utility. With a better range (800 meters vs. 300-400 meters), higher power (better shaped charge designs), an easier time adapting to the firearm (capable of using live rounds instead of needing to switch to blanks, also resolving a security issue), and less reliant on the energy of the rifle (using a rocket to improve the range), their utility makes them more viable for the modern battlefield, and capable of fulfilling a niche role that is particularly applicable to modern urban warfare. In particular, this grenade is balanced as such to where it can be easily handled and thrown as a stick grenade, in combination with it's ability to be activated as a hand thrown grenade. With an adapter available on almost every modern rifle and no blackblast or need for a rocket tube, as well as the ability to fire with live rounds, the grenade is easily used by most soldiers without the need for any additional weapons or equipment, allowing for it's widespread use.
The rifle grenade is based on the Japanese Type 06 Rifle grenade, but configured to fire on a different series of rifles, particularly from 6.5mm firearms (although it is applicable for many firearms). The rocket design is based on the Super ENERGA grenade, but modernized with more efficient propellant, giving it a longer range. Originally the grenade had a range of approximately 550 meters, but this has been increased to 800 meters, given it's higher level of efficiency. The weapon uses a predominately HMX filler, differing from the more common C-B RDX mixture, which produces 9100 m/s of shock force in comparison to the approximately 8000 of C-4 or C-B. The slightly higher power is useful given the low weight, which helps to increase the velocity of the individual projectiles. The shrapnel is shaped like the shrapnel of the claymore mine, and produces a velocity of 1400 m/s, with approximately 140 1.2 gram projectiles generating 1176 joules, and 62 grams of .5 gram projectiles producing an additional 134 projectiles at 1400 m/s. The projectiles are aerodynamic, and form to the shape of a .22 projectile in the air, giving it an effective range of 35-50 meters and allowing it to pierce soft body armor at approximately 10-20 meters. The projectiles are designed to deliberately lose their aerodynamic properties at long range, to shorten their lethal range in order to reduce friendly fire or civilian casualties, which might otherwise be on the order of several hundred meters. The high velocity assists in this, remarkably reducing the projectile's energy by increasing aerodynamic resistance, which is exponentially higher at faster speeds. The high explosive shock force with a 9100 m/s detonation velocity (far higher than even TNT at around 6900 m/s) is capable of shattering concrete or cutting steel with relative ease, and is useful for clearing bunkers or other confined spaces as the shock force is magnified in close quarters as the waves reverberate off of nearby structures. It also gives the weapon slightly better armor penetration, and it is capable of penetrating 6.5 inches (165mm) of RHA steel at 0 degrees of obliquity, and 11.5 inches (292mm) of concrete. This is achieved in part with a better designed high explosive shaped charge based on the 40mm bulldog grenade, the wider diameter, and the fact the round does not rotate in flight, which substantially reduces the penetration of shaped charge weapons. The grenade possesses secondary after-armor effects, like in the AT4, producing a bright flash and much louder noise, allowing it to temporarily stun the enemy like a flashbang. This incendiary material is mixed with aluminum, which increases the brissancy or shock force of the weapon, but to an amount which makes it roughly equal to HMX given the flashbang material.
The weapon works particularly well for room clearing or bunker busting, given it's flashbang effects, high concussive force, and long range shrapnel penetration, but it is also useful in open areas, possessing a much longer lethal range than the 40mm grenade. The round can be configured to penetrate through doors or walls, and clear paths for troops through a structure. Smoke grenades, flashbangs, flares, tear gas, and rubber stun grenades can be utilized as well, with the same rocket device, giving them the same range and roughly the same trajectory. The rifle grenade is more aerodynamic, possessing fins, a skinnier shape, and a dimpled surface similar to a golf ball, giving it lower friction from the air. The grenade is stabilized in the air, and geometrically balanced like a bowling pin, causing it to be more likely to fly flat, allowing it to hit the target head on no matter what angle it is fired from, decreasing the angle of incidence with the target. This is useful for increasing armor penetration at long range, where a high angle may reduce penetration capabilities. Due to the rocket the round has a very flat trajectory out to 400 yards, allowing it to easily engage targets with little need to aim at a high angle, decreasing the skill required to hit the target and providing more reliable performance. The grenade is designed to explode on contact with the grenade, and will not detonate without a complex safety fuse that first activates after a hard shock and then travels a set distance, or is timed and programmed to explode. The round is very versatile, and can penetrate armor, produces an area of effect of shrapnel, and has secondary stun effects. The low weight and high power, as well as long range makes it a good alternative and middle ground between full sized rocket launchers and grenade launchers, as well as a useful weapon in general. The grenades can also easily be fired in doors, without blackblast like from a rocket rancher, or from odd angles like around corners or when laying prone. Typically most soldiers will carry 4 grenades, however more are capable of being carried. The grenade also generally replaces other hand grenades, as it can be easily thrown.
