Notes: The HK-69A1 and HK-79 are well-liked by German troops. However, with foreign deployments in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and potentially other hot spots, the troops have begun to complain about the weight of the two launchers, and the clumsy downward break of the HK-79 (something that is not a good idea when firing from the prone position). By 1998, work had already begun on its replacement, the AG-36, and this was accelerated after German deployments in Kosovo. The AG-36 can be deployed on or off a rifle, and opens to the side instead of the front. In addition, the use of more advanced materials means that the AG-36 is considerably lighter than the HK-69A1. The AG-36 is not often deployed off of a weapon, since it has no stock. It has its own pistol grip and trigger mechanism. The AG-36 is specifically designed for mounting on the G-36, G-41, L-85, M-16, M-4, C-7, and C-8, but can be adapted for other assault, or battle rifles or submachineguns with the use of a kit.

The US version, the XM-320, needs some additional elaboration. It is for the most part identical to the standard AG-36, however, does have several differences making it sort of a unique version of the AG-36. The side-opening mechanism of the XM-320 opens a bit more than the standard AG-36, allowing the use of several other special 40mm rounds (particularly some pyrotechnic rounds and the HUNTER reconnaissance round) which are too long to insert into a standard AG-36. The interface kit is more flexible, allowing the XM-320 to be mounted on many more weapons in the US military arsenal, to include semiautomatic shotguns and even weapons such as the M-249 SAW and even the M-240 GPMG. (The interface rail is basically a slightly-modified MIL-STD-1913 rail.) Finally, the XM-320 can use a stock/pistol grip kit developed by the Picatinny Arsenal, allowing it to be used as a stand-alone weapon or as a sort of stockless "grenade pistol." (More on this standalone version will be added as soon as I can get a bit more information.)

Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Merc 2000 Notes: This weapon is not available until 2005 in the Merc 2000 timeline.

Notes: This weapon is designed to be a light and handy launcher for low-velocity grenades. It is meant to cover the gap between the maximum hand grenade range and the typical minimum mortar range. It is a single-shot break open weapon of the same concept (but not design or appearance) as the US M-79. The HK-69A1 is supplied with a retractable stock; the weapon may be fired with or without the stock extended, but recoil with the stock retracted can be a bit hard.

HK-79

Notes: The HK-79 is a German-made grenade launcher similar in design and concept to the M203, and can be attached to most Western European assault and battle rifles or fitted with a stock and pistol grip. It is otherwise similar to the M203. German assault rifles that have an HK-79 attached are normally appended with the nomenclature "TGS" (such as G-41A2TGS), leading to the mistaken impression that TGS is the name of this grenade launcher.

Notes: This weapon began manufacture in early1997. It was developed to be a two-man load. This weapon uses 40mm NATO HV ammunition, but may not fire normal 40mm grenade ammunition. The GMG has many safeties designed to prevent accidental fire or injure the users. Fieldstripping does not require tools, and the entire mechanism of the weapon slides out on rails for routine maintenance. The GMG uses the standard NATO Heavy Tripod.

Notes: This is a lightened version of the Grenade Machine Gun described above. It was designed to be used by infantry, and can be more readily toted by foot soldiers than the GMG. It is otherwise similar to the GMG. The GMW uses the NATO medium tripod.