Brügger & Thomet GL06

The Brügger & Thomet GL06 is a dedicated stand-alone shoulder-fired 40×46 mm (1.8 in) grenade launcher intended for military and police applications.[1]

Brügger & Thomet GL06
TypeGrenade launcher
Riot gun
Place of originSwitzerland
Production history
DesignerBrügger & Thomet
Designed2006
ManufacturerBrügger & Thomet
VariantsLL06
Specifications
Mass2.05 kg (4.52 lb)
Length590 mm (23.2 in) stock extended / 385 mm (15.2 in) stock folded
Barrel length280 mm (11.0 in)
Width60 mm (2.4 in) stock extended / 95 mm (3.7 in) stock folded
Height200 mm (7.9 in)
Caliber40×46 mm (1.8 in)
ActionBreak action
Muzzle velocity85 m/s (279 ft/s)
Effective firing range300 m (980 ft)
Feed systemBreech-loaded, single-shot
SightsGhost ring iron sights
339 mm (13.3 in) sight radius
Picatinny rail

History

The GL06 was developed in 2006[2] in response to a recent request from the police force of a leading European country which sought to obtain a less-lethal weapon for anti-riot application with the particular need for pin-point accuracy at standoff ranges (beyond 40 m (130 ft) for such scenarios) when firing impact rounds. The Thun-based Brügger & Thomet (B&T) company provided its client with both a weapon and a special round, with the added benefit of compatibility with a wide array of lethal and less-lethal ammunition produced in the 40 mm (1.6 in) low-velocity class.

Design

The GL06 is a stand-alone shoulder-firing weapon intended for military and police applications. A special "less-lethal" version of GL06 was produced as the LL06. Although the LL06 was marketed as a variation of the GL06, the only difference is the bright yellow color of the frame, compared to the standard black of the GL06. Both weapons are fully capable of firing a complete range of lethal and less-lethal 40×46 mm (1.8 in) ammunition.

The GL06 is lighter and more compact than other stand-alone weapons of the same class (such as the US M79 or German HK69A1), yet it is capable of greater accuracy, tactical flexibility and has good ergonomics.

Production

The GL06 is also produced by four different manufacturers around the world.[2]

Users
Map with Brügger & Thomet GL06 users in blue

Others

Between one and seven B&T Gl-06 and LL-06 have been exported in other countries: Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Island, Serbia, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Portugal, Oman, South Africa, Malaysia, Kenya and United Arab Emirates.[3]

References
  1. "Brugger & Thomet's Swiss 40mm Grenade Launcher – Small Arms Defense Journal".
  2. Jenzen-Jones, N. R.; Rice, Graeme (April 2016). "The Online Trade of Light Weapons in Libya". Security Assessment in North Africa Dispatch. Small Arms Survey (6). Archived from the original on November 7, 2016.
  3. Lanceur de balles de défense LBD 40. Une arme dangereuse, Interpellation 19.3188 de Fridez Pierre-Alain (PS), 20 mars 2019 et avis du conseil fédéral du 15 mai 2019, parlament.ch
  4. La SQ remplace ses balles de plastique par des projectiles aussi controversés, 6 avril 2018, Radio-Canada.
  5. "Glænýtt vopn sérsveitar þegar verið notað í lögregluaðgerð - Vísir".
  6. "2 octobre 2017 Parliamentary Questions"..
  7. "Policija potrdila, da je na četrtkovih izgredih uporabila gumijaste naboje". RTVSLO.si.
  8. "Los Mossos contarán con la nueva arma antidisturbios para el dispositivo de la Copa del Rey que dispara espuma compacta". Europa Press. April 18, 2011.
  9. "Grenade launcher Fort-600". Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
  10. B&T USA Contracted to Provide GL06 40mm Launcher to US DHS, 13 novembre 2018, theoutdoorwire.com.
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