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>> The M203 (M79 grenade launcher + M16 rifle) grenade was just a shotgun shell
>> with an attitude. The advantage is that the warhead of this weapon could be
>> anything you'd want. An AP round with a perpetrator that goes off on contact
>> (explosive charge goes off on contact driving a high density perpetrator
>> round into target) should be able to go through any suit armor. If you want
>> a rocket round (as Gyrojet) then the warhead could fire the rocket after
>> round leaves barrel.
>
>Ever fired one? I wouldn't want that in low gravity. It will rock a
>160lb soldier.I actually taught a class on it. Having just passed the Primary NCO Class (PNOC) I got volunteered to give a class on the M203 and LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon). At PNOC I fired 1 live LAW and five rounds from the M203. At the class I gave, each of the students got to fire three grenades out of the M203 and three simulator rounds out of the LAW (and if they wouldn't have killed anyone) one live LAW. I fired the leftover rounds but had to share them with one other instructor, the range officer and range NCO. The kick on the M203 was noticeable but not that bad, no kick on the LAW but the noise was bad (wore earplugs).
The advantage of firing a grenade launcher (shotgun with attitude) is that with no or low gravity you can reduce the propellent charge and/or ignite a rocket motor after the round has cleared the barrel. The idea is that you have a mix of rounds to handle power armor, non-armored vacuum suits or unfriendly BEMs. An AP or HE round may make a good door opener from a distance and some form of combo thermal/smoke round may block the bad guys thermal/visual sights.
Scott
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