A new kind of grenade: how the US Army is changing combat tools

The United States Army has introduced a new type of hand grenade, marking the first addition of a lethal grenade to its arsenal since the Vietnam War era.

Known as the M111, the weapon is designed to rely on blast overpressure rather than traditional fragmentation, using shock waves to incapacitate targets.

Unlike older grenades such as the M67, which disperse shrapnel in all directions, the M111 generates a high-pressure wave that affects internal organs, making it particularly effective in enclosed environments.

This design reflects lessons learned from urban combat, where fragmentation weapons can pose risks to nearby forces or civilians due to unpredictable ricochets and penetration through walls.

The M111 is intended primarily for indoor and close-quarters operations, where the controlled nature of its blast can reduce unintended damage outside the target area. At the same time, traditional fragmentation grenades will remain in use for open terrain where wider dispersal of fragments is more effective.

The development highlights a broader shift in military strategy toward adapting weapons for urban warfare conditions, where precision and controlled impact are increasingly important.