US Army unveils new hand grenade

The US Army has unveiled the new M111 hand grenade, the first of its kind to be introduced since the Vietnam War era. Unlike conventional grenades, it uses a blast effect rather than shrapnel to incapacitate targets, a design intended to reduce the risk of collateral damage, particularly in urban environments, CNN reported.

The grenade is designed primarily for indoor combat, where soldiers need to clear rooms without endangering their own forces or civilians behind walls. The high-pressure wave can also affect targets behind obstacles such as walls or furniture that fragments might not penetrate.

The concept draws on experience from operations in Iraq, where the conventional M67 grenade was not always suited to confined spaces. It disperses fragments in all directions and can pose a risk to friendly forces.

The new grenade has a plastic casing that vaporises on detonation. However, the M67 remains in service and is expected to be used mainly in open terrain.

The development of the M111 is complemented by other projects, including the M21 grenade, which the US Marine Corps is procuring from a Norwegian manufacturer.

(max)