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This is a lore summary, presenting intradiegetic or in-universe information about the subject. For game characteristics and similar data, consult the table on the right.
Game-specific articles
FO: New Vegas40mm grenade
40mm grenade, incendiary
Gun Runners' Arsenal40mm grenade, plasma
40mm grenade, pulse
Fallout 7640mm grenade
FO Tactics40mm grenade
Van Buren40mm rifle grenade, frag
40mm rifle grenade, IL
 
Gametitle-FNVGametitle-FNV GRAGametitle-F76Gametitle-FOTGametitle-VB
Gametitle-FNVGametitle-FNV GRAGametitle-F76Gametitle-FOTGametitle-VB

40mm grenades are an ammunition type found in Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 76, Fallout Tactics and Van Buren.

Background

Created after World War II using the High-Low system developed by the Germans for the 8cm Panzerabwehrwerfer 600, the 40mm grenade offers the operator the ability to deliver a large caliber explosive round to the target with very manageable recoil. The 40mm grenade achieves this by first igniting the propellant in a cup-shaped high-pressure chamber, which then breaks through the copper cover, venting into a low-pressure chamber and propelling the grenade out of its shell and towards the target. The simple, but effective solution has made the 40mm one of the most widely used grenade launcher shells in military service.

Variants

Standard

40mm grenades icon recreation

The basic 40mm grenade is loaded with an explosive fragmentation warhead that deals respectable damage to any target it encounters.

Incendiary

40mm grenades icon recreation
Gameplay article:

A variant of the basic 40mm grenade, the warhead is loaded with an incendiary payload, designed to deal damage both through explosive force and by inflicting burns on soft targets and damaging hard ones.

Plasma

40mm plasma overview icon
Gameplay article:

A variant of the 40mm grenade, with a magnetic containment unit placed in the warhead. Upon impact, the unit releases a plasma blast that deals excellent damage. However, plasma blooming reduces the blast radius severely.

Pulse

40mm Pulse overview icon
Gameplay article:

A variant of the standard 40mm grenade, where the warhead was replaced with a device that explodes on impact, creating a pulse of electromagnetic radiation damaging electronics in its vicinity. The limited amount of explosive used in the warhead limits blast damage, but there's no better weapon to use against robots or power armored troops.

Van BurenGametitle-VB Illumination

40mm rifle grenade IL
Gameplay article:

A specialist munition, where the warhead has been replaced with a payload that detonates on impact and burns for an extended period of time, providing illumination.

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