OPL-40M
Under-barrel grenade launcher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The OPL-40M (Vietnamese: Ống Phóng Lựu 40mm), also known as the SPL-40 (Vietnamese: Súng Phóng Lựu 40mm, lit. '40mm Grenade Launching Gun'; the same designation can also be confusingly used for the Vietnamese production of M79), is an under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) developed by the Z111 Factory in Thanh Hóa, Vietnam.
| OPL-40M SPL-40 | |
|---|---|
OPL-40M grenade launcher mounted under the STV-380 | |
| Type | Under-barrel grenade launcher |
| Place of origin |  Vietnam |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2010–present |
| Used by | Vietnam People's Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Z125 Factory |
| Designed | 2010 |
| Manufacturer | Z125 Factory |
| Produced | In production |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1.4 kg (unloaded)[1] |
| Length | 370 mm |
| Barrel length | 250 mm |
| Cartridge | 40×46mm NATO |
| Action | Single-shot |
| Muzzle velocity | 74 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 375 m (effective)[1] |
| Feed system | Manual loading |
| Sights | Leaf sight and post front sight |
History
The OPL-40M was developed and produced by Z125 Factory of General Department of Defence Industry.
The OPL-40M was first shown in the Indo Defence 2018 exhibit[2] which represents a step forward in Vietnam's effort to localize its defense industry.[3]
Design
The OPL-40M is chambered in standard 40×46mm NATO rounds, enabling compatibility with international ammunition standards. Its design draws inspiration from the M203 (USA), GL40 (Israel), and GP-25 (Russia),[3]integrating the advantages of these systems to meet the operational requirements of the Vietnamese military.
The OPL-40M is designed to be mounted under assault rifles, including Kalashnikov rifles and STV rifles - Vietnam’s new standard service rifles based on the Israeli Galil ACE platform.[1] This grenade launcher can be mounted under the STV-380 using the STV-380’s picatinny rail and bayonet lug.
The OPL-40M uses a forward-sliding and tilting barrel mechanism, allowing for the loading of longer grenade rounds.[4][5][6]