Grenade effectiveness

I'm preparing a presentation in work about grenades and their use in modern warfare. This is one type of weapon that I have only limited experience with. The only HE types that I have used are the L2A2 and the L109A1.

I was just wondering if anyone had any links to official (or not) sites about the effectiveness of grenades from around the world. The sort of stuff i'm after is weights, dimensions, blast/fragmentation radius, fragment penetration etc.

Also, I was wondering what ATSers thought about the usefulness of grenades in modern warfare. Are they of use in general warfare, or are they too specialised for general issue? All thoughts/viewpoints welcome

Originally posted by PaddyInf
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Also, I was wondering what ATSers thought about the usefulness of grenades in modern warfare. Are they of use in general warfare, or are they too specialised for general issue? All thoughts/viewpoints welcome

IMO as long as there is infantry, there will be infantry dug in somewhere. And as long as this happens a grenade will be the best infantry weapon against a stronghold.

(unless there is some major technical advantage of course that would make strongholds/foxholes/bunkers useless)

By and large, the better part of engagements undertaken by NATO infantry in the last 20 years have been both asymetrical and urban. Especially of late, the importance of infantry-issued grenades (as compared to the launched or rocket-propelled variety) has been absolutely paramount. Their effectiveness in urban combat cannot be underestimated, especially the fragmentation and nonlethal hand grenades.

In house to house fighting, few weapons rival the hand grenade. Fragmentation grenades provide each GI the means to effectively clear a room or enclosure with minimal risk to one's self.

Enemy troops may be flushed from hiding using tear gas grenades.

Smoke grenades screen troops and provide cover for withdrawls as well as signals.

Distraction devices (flashbangs/stingers) made dynamic entries in civillian-populated sectors safer while lowering the chances of collateral damage.

The short and long of it is the hand grenade is the rifleman's best friend in times of need. It is versatile, effective, and simple.

DE

Two basic types, defensive and offensive - the difference is size, defensive grenades are larger.

The most interesting (and worst) design, were the spherical grenades of Eastern European manufacture which used the "anywhere fuse". This is an impact fuse which arms immediately on release of the "spoon" or safety lever. The designers though this was a great idea because if you were throwing the grenade at a vehicle or structure, it would detnate immediately on impact. Unfortunately, soldiers who threw it when standing under low hanging tree branches etc blew themselves up.

Some other useful general info. here:

www.armystudyguide.com...

[edit on 16-7-2006 by Retseh]