US Army Unveils First Lethal Hand Grenade Since Vietnam War: Meet The M111 That Uses Shockwaves To Kill Enemies

The US Army has introduced its first lethal hand grenade since the Vietnam War. The M111, made of plastic, uses powerful shock waves to kill enemies rather than the shrapnel of traditional grenades.

How Does The M111 Work?

The M111 uses powerful shock waves to kill enemies rather than traditional shrapnel. When the shock wave hits a person, it rapidly compresses and decompresses the body's tissues, which can damage organs like the ears, lungs, eyes and stomach, CNN reported.

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Designed for urban combat, the M111 is designed to be safer and more effective in close-quarters scenarios, unlike traditional grenades that could be harmful even to the people using them.

US Army Introduces M111: All You Need To Know About Lethal Hand Grenade

Col Vince Morris, a project manager for the program at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, said, "A grenade utilising BOP can clear a room of enemy combatants quickly, leaving nowhere to hide while keeping friendly forces safe."

Unlike traditional grenades, the M111's plastic shell vaporises upon detonation, eliminating the risk of metal shrapnel. Soldiers can throw the grenade into a room, and its shock wave can reach enemies hiding behind walls, furniture, or even appliances.

First New Hand Grenade Since 1968

The MK111 is the first new hand grenade introduced by the US Army since 1968, when troops used the MK3A2 during the Vietnam War. The weapon was later withdrawn in the 1970s because it contained asbestos, whose tiny fibres could enter the lungs and cause serious diseases, including cancer.

After the MK3A2 was withdrawn, soldiers primarily relied on the M67 grenade. The M67 works by sending shrapnel in all directions, making it dangerous. However, the fragments could hit bystanders, friendly troops or bounce off walls. Its blasts, powered by RDX, can even harm the brain or cause limbs to be amputated.

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Why M111 Is A Game Changer In Modern Combat?

The M111, in contrast, uses powerful shock waves to kill enemies rather than traditional shrapnel, making it safer and more effective for modern combat, especially in close-quarters scenarios.

"By standardising the arming process and the fuzing, the Army saves taxpayer money without sacrificing lethality on the battlefield," Morris was quoted as saying.