SB 40 LAG

40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL)

Spain | 1985

"The SB-40 LAG is the Spanish contribution to the growing automatic grenade launcher market."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 12/22/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

In 1984, design work on an indigenous 40mm automatic grenade launcher was begun in Spain by Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara as a private venture. Adoption by Spanish forces followed in 1992 (as the SB 40 LAG, also written as "SB LAG-40") through an initial preproduction batch of sixty units. The weapon is a contemporary to the American Mk 19 and the Soviet/Russian AGS-17 which have permeated global inventories concerning portable grenade projecting devices.

The SB 40 relies on the long recoil principle which reduces stresses exhibited upon the frame. It makes use of a roller locked system and is chambered for the global standard 40x53mmSR projectile firing from a 24- or 32-round belt. The belt is sat within a hard ammunition case that can be mounted to either the left or right side of the receiver as required (changing requires some internal modification of the system by the user). The weapon achieves a rate-of-fire of 215 rounds-per-minute at a muzzle velocity of 787 feet per second. Available iron sights allow for sighting between 100 and 1,500 meters while grenade effectiveness reaches up to 2,000 meters. Attack angles can vary from line-of-sight to indirect fire as needed, making the SB 40 a flexible tactical weapon. The system is typically fielded on a heavy duty, adjustable tripod though it can also be mounting onto vehicle, watercraft and helicopter pintle mounts.

Outwardly, the SB 40 takes on the appearance of the American Mk 19 with its decidedly rectangular receiver, spade-type grips at the rear and short barrel assembly at the front. Sights are affixed across the top of the receiver in the usual way and a cocking handle controls the feed/bolt during the initial charge. Dimensionally, the SB 40 is a large weapon despite it being portable and it weighs upwards of 75lbs, features an overall length of 38 inches and sports barrel of 16.3 inches long.

The modern Spanish military utilizes the SB 40 as a support weapon at the infantry level and has mounted it atop their various four- and six-wheeled armored vehicles as well as tracked armored personnel carriers. The major issue variant is recognized as the "40 SB-M1". Columbia remains the only other notable operator of the SB 40 system (as of 2013) for it has accepted a stock of SB 40 grenade launchers for mounting onto their navy patrol boats.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the SB 40 LAG. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

960 mm
37.80 in
O/A Length

415 mm
16.34 in
Barrel Length

74.96 lb
34.00 kg
Weight

Roller-Locked, Recoil-Operated; Automatic Fire
Action

40x53mmSR
Caliber(s)

24- or 32-round belt
Feed

Iron Leaf Rear.
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the SB 40 LAG. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

2,600 ft
792.5 m | 866.7 yds
Max.Eff.Range

215
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

790 ft/sec
241 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the SB 40 LAG 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) family line.

SB 40 LAG - Base series designation.

SB LAG-40 - Alternative Designation.

40 SB-M1 - Spanish Army Designation.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the SB 40 LAG. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Empresa Nacional Santa Barbara - Spain

[ Colombia; Portugal; Spain ]

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

FIRE SUPPORT

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The SB 40 LAG 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) appears in the following collections:

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