Unique and Specialist Cartridges
The XM688 cartridge does not really fit into any of the above categories. Designed as a sort of giant grenade launching cartridge, the XM688 was supposed to be coupled with the Grapnel, Launcher Propelled, XM1 and the M79. The resulting combination allowed the user to launch the hook over a greater distance than if it had been thrown, thus allowing them to scale higher places. Similar systems had been developed independently, and had been used during the landings at Normandy during the Second World War at Pointe du Hoc, but the XM688 allowed an existing infantry weapon to be used in this capacity.
Read more about this topic: United States 40 Mm Grenades
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