United States Army has partnered with Battelle to advance the M111 Offensive Hand Grenade into full-rate production following the completion of its material release process. The system represents the Army’s first new hand-thrown explosive weapon introduced since the Vietnam War period.
As part of the effort, Battelle worked with the Army’s Close Combat Systems Program Office on assembly operations, design validation, manufacturing verification, and qualification testing. The company manufactured close to 7,000 test units and carried out extensive first-article and production lot evaluations during the certification process.
Battelle noted that years of development were dedicated to optimizing production techniques, enhancing battlefield effectiveness, and ensuring safe operation for military personnel.
Designed with an octagonal shape, the M111 provides a modern alternative to the long-serving M67 “baseball” grenade. The new design generates destructive blast overpressure rather than relying on metal fragmentation, while its fully consumable casing minimizes collateral risks and reduces the potential for fratricide during close-combat engagements.
