Rheinmetall Unveils 40 mm MV Magazine-Fed Grenade Launcher in First Live Fire Demo

Rheinmetall has showcased its new Squad Support Weapon 40 (SSW40) in a live fire event, marking the first public demonstration of the world’s first automatic, magazine-loaded grenade launcher chambered in 40 mm medium-velocity (MV) caliber.

Held in mid-June 2025 at Rheinmetall’s Unterlüß test center in Germany, the event was attended by international defense media. Reporters observed and tested the SSW40, which is designed to enhance infantry firepower with its 900-meter range, programmable airburst munitions, and compatibility with both standard low-velocity (LV) and new MV ammunition.

The SSW40 combines the extended reach and payload of MV rounds with the handling of an assault rifle. Its self-regulating recoil system allows operators to fire higher-pressure rounds with minimal impact on shoulder stability. Participants reported no noticeable difference in recoil between LV and MV types.

The weapon’s break-barrel system also enables the use of longer ammunition, while its ambidextrous controls and adjustable trigger support ease of use for a wide range of operators. Practice rounds during the test included Target Practice Marker-Tracer (TPM-T) types, with successful hits recorded at distances up to 500 meters.

The company expects full qualification of the SSW40 by the fourth quarter of 2025, with customer-level verification also scheduled to conclude by year-end.