The MEI Hellhound 40 mm low-velocity multi-purpose grenade is a fixed-type munition designed to be fired from a
40×46mm grenade launcher
A grenade launcher is a weapon that fires a specially designed, large caliber projectile, often with an explosive, Smoke screen, smoke, or tear gas, gas warhead. Today, the term generally refers to a class of dedicated firearms firing unitary gre ...
such as the
M79,
M203,
M320 (attached to the
M16 series of rifles or
M4 carbine
The M4 carbine (officially Carbine, Caliber 5.56 mm, M4) is a 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle developed in the United States during the 1980s. It is a shortened version of the M16A2 assault rifle. The M4 is extensively used by the US mi ...
), or
Milkor MK-1. The round consists of a metal
projectile
A projectile is an object that is propelled by the application of an external force and then moves freely under the influence of gravity and air resistance. Although any objects in motion through space are projectiles, they are commonly found ...
body, a
fuze
In military munitions, a fuze (sometimes fuse) is the part of the device that initiates its function. In some applications, such as torpedoes, a fuze may be identified by function as the exploder. The relative complexity of even the earliest fu ...
, and a cartridge case assembly. Upon impact with the target, the
firing pin
A firing pin or striker is a part of the firing mechanism of a firearm that impacts the primer in the base of a cartridge and causes it to fire. In firearms terminology, a striker is a particular type of firing pin where a compressed sprin ...
is driven into the
detonator
A detonator is a device used to make an explosive or explosive device explode. Detonators come in a variety of types, depending on how they are initiated (chemically, mechanically, or electrically) and details of their inner working, which of ...
, which in turn sets off the round, producing a jet which sets off the explosive from the base forward. This results in an armor-piercing jet of molten metal and
fragmentation of the projectile body. The MEI Hellhound uses the same
high-low propulsion system as other 40 mm grenade launchers.
Technical information
* Type:
High-explosive dual purpose (HEDP)
* Manufacturer: Martin Electronics, Inc. (MEI)
* Body material: Steel
* Weight: 224.56 grams (87.67 grams A5)
* Fuse: SF801/M550
* Length:
* Charge: A5
* Weapons: M79, M203, Milkor MK-1 launchers
* Penetration: mild steel at normal impact with
anti-personnel
An anti-personnel weapon is a weapon primarily used to maim or kill infantry and other personnel not behind armor, as opposed to attacking structures or vehicles, or hunting game. The development of defensive fortification and combat vehicles gav ...
fragmentation
* Range: (Max.) 400 m (437.6 yds), lethal radius of around 30 feet
* Muzzle velocity: 80 m/s (262 ft/s)
See also
*
MEI Mercury
*
China Lake NATIC (EX-41)
References
{{Reflist
External links
M433 40mm Cartridge High-explosive dual purpose (HEDP) round specsMEI HELLHOUND Grenade Round Specs Sheet (PDF)
Fragmentation grenades
40×46mmSR Hellhound