New Hand Grenade PEARL – More Power with Less Weight
15 June 2004
RUAG Ammotec Thun/Switzerland has developed an entirely new structure for the spherical basic body responsible for the optimal distribution of the fragments. This enables the company to produce a Hand Grenade of smaller dimensions and a substantially reduced weight, but offering the same impressive performance data as the proven HG 85.
Today not only the Swiss Army, but also the British, Dutch and other armed forces rely on our Hand Grenades. More than five million pieces have been made already. The knowledge gained in the process, coupled with the findings on customer requirements and from research, are the basis for our new product. Characterized by the best performance data, the novel PEARL Hand Grenade is lighter and offers maximum safety now as before.
Experience shows that different customers impose different demands on such a product. This fact has been paid the appropriate attention in that certain parameters can now be adapted individually.
The New PEARL Concept
An entirely new approach was chosen in the development: in the place of a prefragmented fragmentation jacket, preformed ball-shaped fragments, PEARLs, are applied to the outside of the basic body. Tests revealed astonishing results: at the same diameter as the HG 85, an up to 70% higher performance was achieved. By decreasing the body's diameter and using an optimized fuse it has been possible to substantially reduce the total weight to approx. 330g (compared with 465g of the HG 85).
This weight reduction makes the soldier's equipment lighter, i.e. the person can carry more Hand Grenades or gains agility thanks to the lighter pack. It eventually also permits to throw the Hand Grenade a longer distance and more precisely.
PEARL penetrates bullet-proof jackets according to STANAG 4512
The PEARL's fragmentation capacity is the highest worldwide despite the reduced diameter of the basic body. Some of the PEARL configurations penetrate both steel plate of 2mm thickness at a distance of five metres and bullet-proof vests as per STANAG 4512.
As in the case of the HG 85, the PEARL's safety performance satisfies the most strict requirements. The further development of the well-proven fuse meets all specifications and passes all safety tests successfully.
The ecology has also been taken into account in this development. Harmful heavy metals are substituted by environment-friendly materials in the new fuse.
Customized Hand Grenade
Interested clients apply a variety of specifications and selection procedures to a Hand Grenade. Thanks to the flexibility allowed by the design and the special production process it is possible to adapt the PEARL Hand Grenade to the customer's wishes. The basic body is available in different diameters, which has consequences for the quantity of explosive and the fragments' departure velocity. Steel balls of different diameters can be applied in one or two layers. This defines the penetration energy and the number of effective fragments.
Calculations and experience from tests enable a virtual presentation and clear definition of the effects of the different combination possibilities.
"This concept permits us to offer every client a customized Hand Grenade which suits the particular requirements", raves Stefan Sommer, Product Manager in charge at RUAG Ammotec. "The PEARL sets new benchmarks in the ratio between weight and performance and as regards individuality. It marks a new generation of Hand Grenades. The PEARL is an absolute hit!"
