Norinco LG5 / QLU-11
| Type 11 Grenade Launching Sniper QLU-11 / LG5 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Automatic grenade launcher |
| Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2011–present |
| Wars | Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)[1] |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Norinco |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 12.9 kg (28 lb) on bipod[2] 23 kg (51 lb) on tripod[2] |
| Length | 1,225 millimetres (48.2 in)[3] |
| Cartridge | 40×53mm 35x32 mm |
| Effective firing range | 1,000–2,000 m (0.62–1.24 mi)[4] |
| Feed system | Drum magazine, 4-15 rounds[4] |
The QLU-11 or LG5 is a sem-automatic grenade launcher developed by Norinco and introduced in 2011.[3] The launcher's designation "QLU" stands for "light weapon (Qīng Wŭqì) - grenade (Liúdàn) - sniper (Jūjī)" in Chinese military coding standard.
Description
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.[5] The QLU-11 was tested in combat against Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden by Chinese marines.[6] In 2018, an undisclosed Middle Eastern customer was reported to have ordered it.[4] That customer has later been confirmed to be Saudi Arabia.
The LG5/QLU-11 is designed for long-range use and so has been described as a "sniper" grenade launcher.[4][5] Befitting that designation, it is said 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.[3][2] Its development was inspired by the American Barrett XM109 anti-materiel rifle, which fires 25 × 59 mm grenades,[3][2] and its design is based on the Chinese HSARI LR2 .50 caliber anti-material rifle.[7]
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[2] or 40x53mm BGJ-5 grenades[3]
- QLU-11: Domestic 35x32 mm (1.3 in) SR version. Fires 35x32mm SR grenades[2]
Gallery
Users
See also
References
- ^ "Saudi Troops Are Using This Huge Grenade Launcher Gun That Looks Like An Action Movie Prop - The Drive".
- ^ a b c d e f "Lanzador de granadas de francotirador NORINCO LG-5 LG-5s". Taringa! (in Spanish). 11 February 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "NORINCO LG5 QLU-11 - Modern Firearms". 22 August 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Middle Eastern customer looking to buy new Chinese 'sniper' grenade launcher". Defence Blog. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Weapons: Semi-Automatic Grenade Launchers". StrategyPage. November 8, 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ "Chinese Small Arms from the 7th Beijing Police Equipment Expo". The Firearm Blog. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ Yan, Timothy (August 2014). The Chinese QLZ87 Automatic Grenade Launcher (PDF). Australia: Armament Research Services (ARES). ISBN 978-0-9924624-2-0.