The U.S. Army has signed a contract with FN America, LLC, for the continued development of its Precision Grenadier System (PGS) prototype. This announcement was made ahead of the U.S. Army Association’s annual conference.

The contract, classified as a Prototype Project Opportunity Notice, is valued at $2 million and aims to enhance the development of a next-generation weapon system and ammunition. FN America asserts that this new system will provide a significant upgrade over previous grenade launcher models.

The agreement is expected to bolster the weapon’s reliability and ensure its compatibility with existing Army systems. Mark Cherpes, president and CEO of FN America, stated that once implemented, this weapon system could substantially alter future battlefield strategies, providing enhanced capabilities and tactical options to soldiers.

The FN Multipurpose Tactical Launcher (MTL-30) is a soldier-portable, shoulder-fired, semi-automatic weapon that fires a 30mm grenade with a flat trajectory, effective at a range of 500 meters. This contrasts with the current 40mm grenade launchers used by ground combat units, which operate on a higher trajectory; the MTL-30’s design allows for greater versatility in combat scenarios.

Weapon flexibility was a primary concern expressed in the Army’s solicitation for prototypes earlier in the year. The PGS is expected to serve as a soldier’s main weapon system, capable of organic close-quarters combat, counter-defilade, and counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) operations with minimal resupply requirements.

The MTL-30 is designed to penetrate natural or artificial barriers that conceal enemy troops. It features a modular Picatinny-style rail system, allowing users to mount optics and other attachments, and includes Magpul-designed M-LOK system points for additional accessories. The ambidextrous design facilitates operation by both right- and left-handed users.

The weapon can also be fitted with various muzzle suppressor options and utilizes detachable 3- or 5-round box magazines. Its lower receiver, modeled after the widely used M4, includes a 6-position telescoping buttstock and modular cheek risers for stability when firing.

With a length of 34 inches and a weight of just over 10 pounds, the MTL-30’s development has been influenced by real-time soldier feedback and the evolving battlefield dynamics, particularly in contexts such as Ukraine. FN America, based in Columbia, South Carolina, is the U.S. arm of the Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale.

J.D. Simkins, the executive editor of Military Times and Defense News, is a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.