APAV40
Introduction 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 , and a tail with stabilizing fins. Explosion is triggered by an impact fuse.Two versions of the APAV 40 exist:* the older F1 model which must be fired with a blank cartridge* the current F2 model which uses a bullet-trap that allows using live rounds
Use Alidade sight system of the FAMAS for direct fire of the APAV40To 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.In its antipersonnel capacity, the APAV 40 is used in indirect fire. The APAV 40 has a lethal radius of  and its shrapnel is dangerous up to  away. In its anti-vehicle capacity, the APAV 40 is used in direct fire. Under an optimal angle, the APAV 40 is capable of piercing  of armour. The FAMAS provides an alidade sight for launching the grenade from . The FAMAS can also be inclined/angled by 45°, to allow fire from , with 20-metre increments; or by 74°, to allow fire from , with  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.
See also *AC58
Sources and references  French army manual on rifle grenades dated 1966 with an illustration of the APAV 40 (70 MR 61) and text on pages 29 to 31