Fly-K grenade Launcher

[JoaMei]

Just found this new grenade launcher on the Rheinmetall Website, didnt know it so I posted it here:



http://www.rheinmetall-detec.de/img/product/wm_fly_k.jpg

Fly-K is a grenade launcher system capable of firing warheads with a wide variety of different payloads. Its unique propulsion system is based on the interaction of the weapon and ammunition: as soon as the weapon transmits the ignition impulse to the grenade, the enclosed internal propelling system is initiated. Thanks to this feature, the only signature the grenade launcher produces is a barely audible launch sound. Its maximum range is 800 metres.

The system is available in individual and multiple grenade launcher versions. Designed for infantry and special operations forces, the individual launcher has the advantage of being ultra light, very safe to handle and highly reliable even under difficult operating conditions.

Light yet robust, the electronically controlled multiple grenade launcher is ideal for mounting on lightweight tactical vehicles. In stationary mode, it can also be deployed as a remotecontrolled effector for protecting airfields, military bases and international borders. The various ammunition types can be launched at a controlled rate of fire in variable salvos.

A variety of ammunition types are already available, including high explosive, WP smoke/obscurant and illumination rounds for the visual and infrared spectrum, and practice ammunition. Additional special purpose rounds are currently under development.

Main features

Launch noise less than 52dB at a distance of 100 m
No thermal signature – cannot be detected by IR sensors
No smoke – cannot be detected by visual means during daylight
No muzzle flash – cannot be detected by visual means at night
Sustained fire possible – weapon will not heat up
Low-weight weapon and ammunition

Product variants

Launchers

Single-round grenade lauchner
Multiple grenade launcher, 12-round (4- and 8-round versions planned)

Ammunition

Grenade, HE, Composition B (IHE version planned)
Grenade, smoke (RP and others)
Grenade, illumination, visual
Grenade, illumination, infrared
Practice grenades

http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/index.php?fid=4465&lang=3&pdb=1

[bluffcove]

It looks like the hedgehog spigot mortars used the the RN in WWII

[Herrmannek]

explosives from the airbags anyone?

[SOG]

Why does it remind me of Metal Storm. All the rows....

I'd strap one to the hood of a car. LA traffic area denial weapon. Now it's my turn to go!

[Chulo]

Why does it remind me of Metal Storm. All the rows....

I'd strap one to the hood of a car. LA traffic area denial weapon. Now it's my turn to go!
except this is just a single stack, Metal storm can have rows stacked on top of itself- the propulsion is a little different, but they both use an electronic charge

[SOG]

except this is just a single stack, Metal storm can have rows stacked on top of itself- the propulsion is a little different, but they both use an electronic charge

Yeah that's what did it for me, row after row and talk of low signature due to electronic charge. Metal Storm always drummed the fact that their weapons would have a small heat signature.

[REMOV]

Just found this new grenade launcher on the Rheinmetall WebsiteThe funny thing is the "new" grenade launcher is 25 years old, it was introduced in 1983 and manufactured by a Belgian company Titanite. When the Belgian producer went bancrupt the Fly-K was taken over by a French manufacturer. And now is offered by Germans p-)

[Squeezee]

It looks like the hedgehog spigot mortars used the the RN in WWII

I thought the same thing. Looks like a more updated version. From what I saw on the Military Channel, you had to turn a wheel on the hedgehog to get it to fire. Can't wait to see a video of this thing.

[NBDX]

The funny thing is the "new" grenade launcher is 25 years old, it was introduced in 1983 and manufactured by a Belgian company Titanite. When the Belgian producer went bancrupt the Fly-K was taken over by a French manufacturer. And now is offered by Germans

You are wrong. Titanite S.A. is not originator of Fly-K mortar and not Belgian company but French. Titanite was manufacturer of Fly-K mortar in latest years under licence from a Swiss company (I dont remember exact name, but it was something like Cartyom, Cartyoh or similar) which was owner of patent. Original Belgian manufacturer of Fly-K is not known in internet sources. Titanite manufactured some small quantities of Fly-K for French marines. Fly-K is copied in China in calibre 50 mm as QLT-89.

[REMOV]

Titanite S.A. is not originator of Fly-K mortar and not Belgian company but French.Yes, right. In 1990 the system was purchased by the Societe des Artifices Titan and the Titanite SA was Departement Militaire Artifices Titan. But the original manufacturer PRB was sold to the Luchaire Defense SA, part of GIAT. Now it is AFAIR Société Nouvelle PRB SA.
Titanite was manufacturer of Fly-K mortar in latest years under licence from a Swiss company (I dont remember exact name, but it was something like Cartyom, Cartyoh or similar) which was owner of patent. The name of this Swiss company is Cathyor Engineering SA. In 2007 the Rheinmetall Defence has concluded a licensing agreement with Cathyor Engineering for Fly-K.
Original Belgian manufacturer of Fly-K is not known in internet sources.So, just for you top secret information: the orginal Belgian manufacturer was PRB (also producer of the munitions, landmines like PRB M3/M3A1, PRB M409 (NR-409), PRB M35 etc., rifle grenades and fuses), which was liquidated in 1990. Now, the original manufacturer is known in Internet sources p-)

[Tony Williams]

Yeah that's what did it for me, row after row and talk of low signature due to electronic charge. Metal Storm always drummed the fact that their weapons would have a small heat signature.

I don't see why they would; MS uses conventional propellant, just contained in the base of the projectile rather than in the cartridge case. So the burning gasses fill the barrel just as they do in a conventional gun.

The Fly-K has no heat signature because the gasses are trapped within the projectile and carried away with it. That doesn't happen with MS.

The only weapon similar to the Fly-K I know of is that Russian 30mm VOG-T UGL, which also uses a captive piston so is silent and flashless. Used by special forces, I understand, but Remov can doubtless expand on that.

Tony Williams: Military gun and ammunition website (http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk) and discussion forum (http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/)

[SOG]

I might be confusing two different concept weapons Tony. I remember it was a circular type gun device that would be mounted on vehicles, had few moving parts and fired small metal balls instead of bullets with casings. For some reason I thought this was related to the Metal Storm affair.

[Tony Williams]

I might be confusing two different concept weapons Tony. I remember it was a circular type gun device that would be mounted on vehicles, had few moving parts and fired small metal balls instead of bullets with casings. For some reason I thought this was related to the Metal Storm affair.

That's a different idea. Metal Storm uses several rounds stacked in each barrel, their propellant being fired in turn electrically.

What you're referring to is a centrifugal sling; a thick disc, with channels formed inside it, is spun at high RPM. The channels are designed in such a way that if a metal ball is dropped into the centre of the disc, it travels out to the edge and is flung out through an aperture in the rim at a velocity equal to that of the speed of rotation of the rim. This idea surfaces from time to time, the last occasion being a couple of years ago.

The "inventors" of the latest effort claimed that a centrifugal weapon (I forget what name they gave to it) would be recoilless (no it wouldn't - you can't defeat Newton that easily) and silent (quieter than a gun, but not silent) plus would fire metal balls at a very high rate (true, but metal balls have a poor aerodynamic shape and therefore limited range). The idea seems to have disappeared once again...

[NBDX]

The "inventors" of the latest effort claimed that a centrifugal weapon (I forget what name they gave to it)

DREAD, from the same Australian who constructed Armtech C30R rifle.

[SOG]

That was it, thanks.
http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=526

[konkurs]

Something similar was used in Croatia during the war 1991.

http://policija.hr/mup.hr/UserDocsImages/27v.jpg

http://www.mup.hr/main.aspx?id=1120