Grenade launchers and their ammunition are currently experiencing the fastest and most dramatic period of development of any small arms. In NATO armies, the traditional 40x46 mm Low Velocity (LV) and 40x53 mm High Velocity (HV) rounds used in shoulder-fired and crew-served launchers respectively still dominate, although ammunition offered for shoulder-fired weapons now includes LV Extended Range (LV-ER) and Medium Velocity (MV) to provide greater reach. The US' self-loading, shoulder-fired ATK XM25 continues on its somewhat rocky path to achieving service status, promising the advantage of a high-tech airburst system, capable of exploding its 25 mm grenades directly over the target for maximum effect, although even before it is past the prototype stage, similar capabilities are being offered for 40 mm systems.
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