Lance-grenade individuel Mle F1 (LGI Mle F1)

Last updated
LGI
LGI Mle F1.jpg
Member of the 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment firing an LGI (Djibouti, 2012)
Type mortar / grenade launcher
Place of originFrance
Service history
Used byFlag of France.svg  France
Flag of Monaco.svg  Monaco [1]
Production history
ManufacturerTitanite S.A.
Specifications
Mass4.8 kg
Length605 mm
Crew1

Cartridge 51 mm grenade
Rate of fire up to 30 rounds per minute
Effective firing range675 metres

The LGI Mle F1 is a lightweight, close-support infantry weapon designed to be used by one man, to provide indirect-fire, fulfilling the same role as the Japanese Type 89 grenade discharger used during World War II. The LGI has been used by the French Army since the 1990s [2] and fires high explosive, smoke, and illumination rounds.

Contents

Deployment

French squads include a 300 Meter fireteam called "Équipe Alpha" (consisting of a team leader armed with a Heckler & Koch HK416 and two grenadiers-voltigeurs, each armed with a Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifle as well as an AT4 anti-tank weapon) and a 600 Meter fireteam or "Équipe Bravo" (again with a team leader equipped with Heckler & Koch HK416 and two grenadiers-voltigeurs as well with one armed with a FN Minimi light machine gun and the other with both a Heckler & Koch HK416 and LGI). [3]

Operation

The launcher uses a closed combustion chamber to capture the propulsion gases. The propellant charge is inserted into the tail of each round and transmits an ignition impulse via an enclosed internal system, assuring little in the way of noise, muzzle flash, smoke, or thermal signature. The noise made on firing is only 52 dB, making it hard to detect the launching point and high rates of fire are possible as the weapon does not heat up. [4]

Ammunition

An Infrared bomb is in development that will facilitate low light engagements when used in conjunction with a Night Vision Device.

See also

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References

  1. Giletta, Jacques (2005). Les Gardes Personnelles des Princes de Monaco (1st ed.). Taurus Editions. ISBN   2 912976-04-9.
  2. "Equipment | French Foreign Legion Information". Archived from the original on 2017-03-10. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
  3. French Armored Infantry Section - Brendan Matsuyama
  4. Anthony G Williams. "Mortar Ammunition: an International Survey" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-10.