Rheinmetall Designs Modern Portable SSW40 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher for High Mobility Troop Support.

Presented at the AUSA 2024 exhibition, held from October 9 to 11, the SSW40 is a 40 mm automatic squad support weapon developed by Rheinmetall to deliver maximum firepower while preserving troop mobility. This portable, magazine-fed, shoulder-fired grenade launcher stands out with its advanced ergonomics and ballistic capabilities, optimized for medium-range engagements. Its dimensions and weight, comparable to an assault rifle, facilitate handling by soldiers, providing a versatile and comfortable fire support solution.
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Rheinmetall Shoulder-Fired SSW40 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (Picture source: Army Recognition)

One of the notable features of the SSW40 is its self-regulating recoil system, which allows it to fire both low-velocity (LV) rounds and Rheinmetall’s new generation of medium-velocity (MV) rounds. This recoil-regulating system significantly reduces user fatigue, thereby enhancing precision and responsiveness in prolonged combat scenarios. The MV ammunition, with its increased speed and flat trajectory, extends the SSW40's effective range up to 900 meters. The development of this ammunition marks a major advancement in Rheinmetall’s arsenal, integrating a range of munitions suited for multiple target types.

In terms of armament, the SSW40 offers options such as high-explosive fragmentation (HEFRAG), anti-tank (HEDP), door-breaching (HEBE), airburst (HEAB), as well as training rounds (TPM, TPM-T), illumination and smoke, and riot control (CS) ammunition. These options broaden the weapon’s usage scope, from conventional combat operations to urban interventions, against light armored vehicles and in asymmetric conflict scenarios.

To enhance its effectiveness on the field, the SSW40 is compatible with a range of advanced accessories, including laser sight modules, fire control units, infrared programmers for airburst munitions, and mounting systems. The integration of the FCS-TacRay Ballistic fire control system, equipped with a laser rangefinder and ballistic computer, provides the SSW40 with airburst capability, enhancing area effects and increasing the likelihood of neutralizing targets with the first shot.

This development was influenced by the introduction of the Turret-Independent Secondary Weapon System (TSWA) for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, which uses the new 40 mm MV ammunition family to engage targets in close proximity to the vehicle, with both lethal and non-lethal options. This close compatibility between the SSW40 and the TSWA enables seamless integration of 40 mm weapon systems in mechanized infantry operations.

The first firing tests of the SSW40, successfully conducted in early 2024, confirmed the reliability and power of this automatic grenade launcher. Rheinmetall plans to launch serial production in 2025. This innovative weapon is touted as the world’s first magazine-fed, shoulder-fired, fully automatic 40 mm grenade launcher, a strategic asset for modern infantry forces.

With its compact design and intuitive use reminiscent of an assault rifle, the SSW40 is set to meet infantry units' needs for rapid and powerful fire support, while adapting to current and future combat conditions. This technological advancement highlights Rheinmetall’s ability to meet operational requirements on modern battlefields, where rapid and precise support fire is essential to ensure the superiority of engaged forces.

The SSW40 offers armed forces a powerful and versatile support weapon, combining high firepower with ease of use. Its 40 mm caliber, compact size, and design similar to an assault rifle make it highly portable and manageable, ideal for infantry needing reliable fire support in varied terrains. Its ability to fire both low and medium-velocity rounds, including airburst munitions, extends its effective range up to 900 meters, providing tactical flexibility for engaging multiple target types, from armored vehicles to personnel. This system enhances the infantry's capacity for rapid, precise, and adaptable response in complex combat scenarios.

Several armed forces globally are developing or have adopted similar automatic grenade launcher systems to enhance squad-level fire support. The U.S. military, for instance, has deployed the Mk 47 Striker, which is capable of firing programmable airburst rounds, providing improved lethality and range over earlier models like the Mk 19. Russia's AGS-30 and AGS-40 grenade launchers offer lightweight, high-rate-of-fire solutions with extended ranges suited to mobile operations. China has developed the QLU-11, a semi-automatic 35 mm grenade launcher with precision targeting capabilities, emphasizing range and accuracy. These systems reflect a broader trend toward portable, high-impact fire support solutions designed for modern, asymmetric warfare environments.

Compared to other systems such as the American Mk 47 Striker, the Russian AGS-40, and the Chinese QLU-11, Rheinmetall's SSW40 offers distinctive advantages in terms of maneuverability, ammunition versatility, and accuracy. Unlike models such as the Mk 47 or AGS-40, which are often tripod-mounted, the SSW40 is designed to be shoulder-fired, providing greater mobility and allowing use on the move, similar to an assault rifle. Its ability to fire both low- and medium-velocity 40 mm rounds, with a range of up to 900 meters, gives it an advantage in terms of reach and a variety of lethal and non-lethal effects. The integrated FCS-TacRay Ballistic fire control system also provides superior accuracy with the airburst function, surpassing competitor systems in effectiveness against targets in cover. Lastly, with its self-regulating recoil system, the SSW40 reduces recoil and user fatigue, an area where it outperforms the QLU-11, particularly in extended engagements.