Norinco LG5 / QLU-11

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.

Type 11 Grenade Launching Sniper
QLU-11 / LG5
TypeAutomatic grenade launcher
Place of originPeople's Republic of China
Service history
In service2011–present
WarsYemeni Civil War (2015–present)[1]
Production history
ManufacturerNorinco
Specifications
Mass12.9 kg (28 lb) on bipod[2]
23 kg (51 lb) on tripod[2]
Length1,225 millimetres (48.2 in)[3]
Cartridge40×53mm
35x32 mm
Effective firing range1,000–2,000 m (0.62–1.24 mi)[4]
Feed systemDrum magazine, 4-15 rounds[4]

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]

Users

See also

References
  1. "Saudi Troops Are Using This Huge Grenade Launcher Gun That Looks Like An Action Movie Prop - The Drive".
  2. "Lanzador de granadas de francotirador NORINCO LG-5 LG-5s". Taringa! (in Spanish). 11 February 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  3. "NORINCO LG5 QLU-11 - Modern Firearms". 22 August 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  4. "Middle Eastern customer looking to buy new Chinese 'sniper' grenade launcher". Defence Blog. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  5. "Weapons: Semi-Automatic Grenade Launchers". StrategyPage. November 8, 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  6. "Chinese Small Arms from the 7th Beijing Police Equipment Expo". The Firearm Blog. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  7. Yan, Timothy (August 2014). The Chinese QLZ87 Automatic Grenade Launcher (PDF). Australia: Armament Research Services (ARES). ISBN 978-0-9924624-2-0.
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