Norinco LG5 / QLU-11

Norinco LG5 / QLU-11
Type Automatic grenade launcher
Place of origin People's Republic of China
Service history
In service 2011–present
Production history
Manufacturer Norinco
Specifications
Weight 12.9 kg (28 lb) on bipod[1]
23 kg (51 lb) on tripod[1]
Length 1,225 millimetres (48.2 in)[2]
Cartridge 40×53mm
35x32 mm
Effective firing range 1,000–2,000 m (0.62–1.24 mi)[3]
Feed system Drum magazine, 4-15 rounds[3]

The LG5 is an automatic grenade launcher developed by Norinco and introduced in 2011.[2]

The LG5/QLU-11 can be equipped with a fire-control system with a laser rangefinder, thermal imaging capability, and a ballistic computer that gives it air burst capability.[4] The QLU-11 was tested in combat against Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden by Chinese marines.[5] In 2018, an undisclosed Middle Eastern customer was reported to have ordered it.[3]

The LG5/QLU-11 is designed for long-range use and so has been described as a "sniper" grenade launcher.[3][4] Befitting that designation, it is claimed to have a very high accuracy of 3-round R100 accuracy of 1 meter at 600 meter range, meaning that with proper aiming the weapon can put three successive high-explosive rounds into a typical window or door.[2][1] Its development was inspired by the American Barrett XM109 anti-materiel rifle, which fires 25 × 59 mm grenades,[2][1] and its design is based on the Chinese HSARI LR2 .50 caliber anti-material rifle.[6]

Variants

There are two variants of the weapon, an export version and a domestic version:

  • LG5: Export 40x53 mm (2.1 in) version. Fires 40×53mm HV NATO grenades[1] or 40x53mm BGJ-5 grenades[2]
  • QLU-11: Domestic 35x32 mm (1.3 in) SR version. Fires 35x32mm SR grenades[1]

Users

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lanzador de granadas de francotirador NORINCO LG-5 LG-5s". Taringa! (in Spanish). 11 February 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "NORINCO LG5 QLU-11 - Modern Firearms". 22 August 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Middle Eastern customer looking to buy new Chinese 'sniper' grenade launcher". Defence Blog. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Weapons: Semi-Automatic Grenade Launchers". StrategyPage. November 8, 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "Chinese Small Arms from the 7th Beijing Police Equipment Expo". The Firearm Blog. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  6. ↑ Yan, Timothy (August 2014). The Chinese QLZ87 Automatic Grenade Launcher (PDF). Australia: Armament Research Services (ARES). ISBN 978-0-9924624-2-0.
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