Intended for fitting to any type of armoured vehicle, the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann 76 mm grenade launcher system can be rotated through a full 360° providing grenade coverage to any sector around the vehicle. It has a single launcher barrel which is normally mounted at an angle of 45°, although other angles can be selected. The launcher tube is mounted on a steel turntable, in the centre of which is the loading hatch.
To reload the launcher the hatch is opened downwards from within the vehicle and a grenade inserted. As the hatch is closed it positions the launcher at the correct angle; a safety interlock prevents firing if the hatch is not properly closed. An indicator inside the turntable provides the operator with the direction in which the launcher is pointing. Firing is electrical from a control box inside the vehicle. Grenades used may be smoke, tear gas and in a special version, High Explosive (HE).
A completely waterproof version for use with amphibious vehicles is available. Each launcher is provided with test equipment, a cleaning brush and a small pouch with spare parts.
Status
In production. By mid-1999, some 300 of these systems had been produced. As far as it is known this system is not used by the German Army.
