Naval Ordnance Station EX 41 (Shoulder-Fired Weapon / SFW)

Multi-Shot 40mm Grenade Launcher

United States | 1994

"The NOS EX 41 intended for the USMC was a proposed pump-action, multi-shot 40mm grenade launcher using a hybrid low-high velocity grenade."

Right side diagram view of the EX 41 grenade launcher

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/15/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Since the close of World War 2, when infantryman relied on thrown hand grenades or rifle grenades fired from the muzzles of their service guns, the US military was attempting to develop a multiple-shot grenade launcher. One such project (under a US Marine Corps directive) fell to the Naval Ordnance Station (NOS) of Louisville, Kentucky who headed the "NOS EX 41" initiative, a compact grenade projecting system firing a combined low/high pressure 40mm grenade through a conventional pump-action facility. By this time, the USMC had already adopted the M203 underbarrel single-shot grenade launcher to replace their Vietnam War-era M79 single-shot series and used the vehicle/tripod-mounted Mk 19 automatic launcher in number. Picatinny Arsenal was charged with development of a new 40mm grenade to bring together the qualities of the M203's 40x46mm grenade with the qualities of the Mk 19's 40x53mm type.

The EX 41 became a compact weapon taking the general form of an automatic weapon with the action of a shotgun. The design was of an in-line approach (all major components set behind the other) with a sizeable buttstock, smooth barrel assembly, underslung pistol grip with trigger unit and an optics mounting. A magazine tube was installed under the barrel and operated through the pump-action facility in much the same way a traditional pump-action shotgun was operated. Overall weight was 10 kilograms with a running length of 914mm with a 279mm long barrel assembly. Each 40mm grenade exited the barrel at approximately 152 meters per second out to a maximum range of 1,500 meters. The tube magazine held four ready-to-fire 40mm grenades expanding the role of the warfighter considerably. Each grenade was of a "hybrid" design incorporating qualities of both low and high pressure grenade projectile munitions to contend with inherent recoil forces while providing a useful exiting velocity and, therefore, longer effective engagement ranges.

In the end, only a single prototype form was ever completed by NOS and this development weighed in heavier than the anticipated 7 kilograms. The expected 3,000 meter range was also limited to the aforementioned 1,500 meter reach. The M203 and Mk 19 series remained the standard US military grenade launchers for the interim and the EX 41 prototype was passed on to privately-held firm of Knight's Armament Company of Titusville, Florida for further work to which its condition since then remains largely unknown. Regardless, the type was never adopted by the USMC nor any other American service branch and has more or less fallen to the pages of history. Its last notable recorded presence was during November of 1995.

The EX 41 was also known under the name of "Shoulder-Fired Weapon" (SFW).

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Naval Ordnance Station EX 41 (Shoulder-Fired Weapon / SFW). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

4,921 ft
1,499.9 m | 1,640.3 yds
Max.Eff.Range

498 ft/sec
152 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the Naval Ordnance Station EX 41 (Shoulder-Fired Weapon / SFW). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

914 mm
35.98 in
O/A Length

279 mm
10.98 in
Barrel Length

22.00 lb
9.98 kg
Weight

Manually-Actuated Pump-Action
Action

40mm High-Velocity Ammunition / Low-Velocity Cartridge Case
Caliber(s)

4-round internal tube magazine
Feed

Iron Sights; Optional Optics
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Naval Ordnance Station EX 41 (Shoulder-Fired Weapon / SFW) Multi-Shot 40mm Grenade Launcher family line.

EX 41 - Prototype Series Designation; never adopted by the USMC; sent to Knight's Armament Company for futher work; single prototype ever completed.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Naval Ordnance Station EX 41 (Shoulder-Fired Weapon / SFW). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Naval Ordnance Station / Knight's Armament Company - USA

[ United States ]

1 / 1

Image of the Naval Ordnance Station EX 41 (Shoulder-Fired Weapon / SFW)

Right side diagram view of the EX 41 grenade launcher

Going Further...
The Naval Ordnance Station EX 41 (Shoulder-Fired Weapon / SFW) Multi-Shot 40mm Grenade Launcher appears in the following collections:

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)