The APAV 40 (anti-personnel/anti-véhicule, 40mm) is a 40 mm dual purpose rifle grenade used by the French Army.
Design
The APAV 40 is a dual purpose, anti-personnel (AP) and anti-vehicle (AV), 40 mm rifle-grenade. It has a mass of 405 g (14.3 oz),[1] and a tail with stabilizing fins. Explosion is triggered by an impact fuse.[citation needed]
Two versions of the APAV 40 exist:
the older F1 model which must be fired with a blank cartridge[citation needed]
the current F2 model which uses a bullet-trap that allows using live rounds[citation needed]
Use
Alidade sight system of the FAMAS for direct fire of the APAV40
To launch, the APAV40 F2 is placed over the muzzle of a FAMAS or any NATO rifle with a (22 mm) STANAG muzzle device. Then the rifle is aimed at the target and fired. The impact of the bullet striking the bullet-trap and the expanding gases launch and arm the grenade, which explodes on impact.[citation needed]
In its antipersonnel capacity, the APAV 40 is used in indirect fire. The APAV 40 has a lethal radius of 12 m (13 yd) and its shrapnel is dangerous up to 100 m (110 yd) away.[1]
In its anti-vehicle capacity, the APAV 40 is used in direct fire. Under an optimal angle, the APAV 40 is capable of piercing 100 mm (3.9 in) of armour.[1]
The FAMAS provides an alidade sight for launching the grenade from 170 to 320 m (560 to 1,050 ft). The FAMAS can also be inclined/angled by 45°, to allow fire from 75 to 100 m (246 to 328 ft), with 20-metre increments; or by 74°, to allow fire from 60 to 170 m (200 to 560 ft), with 10 m (11 yd) increments. French rifle grenades are notorious for having extremely strong recoil, so strong that one who does not properly brace themselves will often fall over.[citation needed]
