Brügger & Thomet GL06
Grenade launcher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Grenade launcher Riot gun |
| Place of origin | Switzerland |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Brügger & Thomet |
| Designed | 2006 |
| Manufacturer | Brügger & Thomet |
| Variants | LL06 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.05 kg (4.52 lb) |
| Length | 590 mm (23.2 in) stock extended / 385 mm (15.2 in) stock folded |
| Barrel length | 280 mm (11.0 in) |
| Width | 60 mm (2.4 in) stock extended / 95 mm (3.7 in) stock folded |
| Height | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Caliber | 40×46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Action | Break action |
| Muzzle velocity | 85 m/s (279 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 300 m (980 ft) |
| Feed system | Breech-loaded, single-shot |
| Sights | Ghost ring iron sights 339 mm (13.3 in) sight radius Picatinny rail |
History
The GL06 was developed in 2006[2] in response to a request from the French National Police 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.[3] 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.[citation needed]
Production
The GL06 is also produced by four different manufacturers around the world.[2]
Users
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Canada:[4] several police departments: Sûreté du Québec (SR), Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, Toronto Police Service[5]
Estonia: Estonian Defence Forces
France: Police Nationale (since 2008), Gendarmerie Nationale and others[1]
Hungary:[4] Hungary Police
Iceland: Viking Squad[6]
Ireland:[4] Garda Síochána: Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and Armed Support Units (ASU)[7]
Kazakhstan: Kazakh Police
Kuwait:[4] Kuwait Police
Lithuania:[4] Lithuanian Police
New Zealand: New Zealand Police[8]
Poland: Policja[9]
Slovenia: Slovenian National Police Force[10]
Spain: Mossos d'Esquadra,[11] Ertzaintza[12]
Sweden:[4] Swedish Police Authority
Switzerland: several police departments
USA: U.S. Customs and Border Protection[13]
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.[4]
