American Rheinmetall reveals 40mm SSW40 weapon combining tank-level firepower with squad mobility at LANDEURO 2025.

On July 16, 2025, at the LANDEURO 2025 military exhibition, American Rheinmetall offered for the first time a complete technical presentation of its new SSW40 weapon system. Unveiled in greater detail than ever before, the SSW40 signals a decisive leap in infantry firepower, combining tank-grade engineering with man-portable versatility. Designed to meet evolving operational demands, it promises unmatched range, precision, and lethality at the squad level. This release is especially relevant as modern forces face complex threats in urban, mountainous, and hybrid warfare environments.
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With its high velocity, programmable effects, and modular control systems, the SSW40 redefines what light infantry can deliver in tomorrow’s battlefields (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The SSW40 is a shoulder-fired, magazine-fed weapon capable of using 40mm medium-velocity (MV) and low-velocity (LV) ammunition. It features a reduced-recoil, self-regulating bolt system allowing semi- and full-automatic fire, and integrates airburst munition (ABM) capability. The platform achieves lethal effects at up to 900 meters with a firing rate of around 300 rounds per minute, providing superior hit probability through flat trajectories and shortened flight times. Its compatibility with programmable munitions like the HEDP-T ABM makes it suitable for targets behind cover, in elevated positions, or embedded in structures. Modular in design, the SSW40 accepts a wide range of ammunition types including TP, HEDP, and HEI, and can be fired from shoulder or mounted platforms.

Developed from the ground up with insights drawn from tank gun systems, Rheinmetall’s approach integrates a new recoil dampening concept and an advanced magazine-fed operation system. The weapon’s design accommodates 3-, 5-, or 8-round magazines, and is optionally available with an auto-feeder for mounted use. Its construction reduces stress and weight burden on the operator while enhancing firepower and handling of special ammunition. The modular trigger and receiver system supports disassembly and flexible sight configuration. Rheinmetall emphasized ease of integration with existing optics and fire control units (FCUs), highlighting its agnostic approach that remains compatible with customer-preferred sights and ballistic tabs.

The SSW40 stands apart by significantly expanding the effectiveness of 40mm ammunition. Compared to conventional point-detonation grenades, airburst munitions used in the SSW40 can engage covered targets and offer dispersion effects far superior in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. The weapon is not influenced by terrain-induced lethal zone reduction, ensuring full effect even in obstructed or uneven environments. Its 2D and 3D engagement areas are vastly extended, doubling hit probability and increasing the efficiency of each round. Terrain effects, such as trenches or barriers, which typically reduce mean effective area for classic PD grenades, are nullified with ABM munitions. The SSW40 thus provides full-spectrum lethality whether in open fields, urban centers, or fortified positions.

From a strategic perspective, the SSW40 embodies Rheinmetall’s push toward battlefield digitization and scalable lethality at the lowest tactical level. With firepower traditionally associated with heavier support weapons now available to individual operators, the weapon enhances small unit autonomy and multiplies the effects of dismounted troops without requiring external fire support. As NATO forces pivot toward adaptable and mobile doctrines, especially in Eastern Europe, the Baltics, and Indo-Pacific theaters, the SSW40 fills a doctrinal void, delivering precision, suppression, and destruction in a single lightweight system. The inclusion of a fully ambidextrous control layout, modular optics mounting interface, and integrated ABM programmer further reinforce its role in joint operations and interoperability environments.

By revealing complete system specifications and operational rationale at LANDEURO 2025, American Rheinmetall marks a turning point in infantry weapon design. The SSW40 is not merely a new launcher, it represents the fusion of tank-level lethality with squad-level maneuverability. With its high velocity, programmable effects, and modular control systems, it redefines what light infantry can deliver in tomorrow’s battlefields. Its presentation at LANDEURO is not just a technical rollout but a strategic statement of Rheinmetall’s ambition to dominate the next generation of soldier weapon systems.