| LGI | |
| Origin: | France |
| Type: | Mortar / Grenade launcher |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Used By: | France Monaco[1] |
| Manufacturer: | Titanite S.A. |
| Weight: | 4.8 kg |
| Length: | 605 mm |
| Crew: | 1 |
| Cartridge: | 51 mm grenade |
| Rate: | up to 30 rounds per minute |
| Range: | 675 metres |
The LGI Mle F1 (Lance-grenade individuel Mle F1, "individual grenade launcher Model F1") is a lightweight, close-support infantry weapon designed to be used by one man to provide indirect fire. The LGI has been used by the French Army since the 1990s[2] and fires high explosive, smoke, and illumination rounds.
French squads include a 300 Meter fireteam called "Équipe Alpha" (consisting of a team leader armed with a Heckler & Koch HK416 and two grenadiers-voltigeurs, each armed with a Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifle as well as an AT4 anti-tank weapon) and a 600 Meter fireteam or "Équipe Bravo" (again with a team leader equipped with Heckler & Koch HK416 and two grenadiers-voltigeurs as well with one armed with a FN Minimi light machine gun and the other with both a Heckler & Koch HK416 and LGI).[3]
The launcher uses a closed combustion chamber to capture the propulsion gases. The propellant charge is inserted into the tail of each round and transmits an ignition impulse via an enclosed internal system, assuring little in the way of noise, muzzle flash, smoke, or thermal signature. The noise made on firing is only 52 dB, making it hard to detect the launching point and high rates of fire are possible as the weapon does not heat up.[4]
An Infrared bomb is in development that will facilitate low light engagements when used in conjunction with a Night Vision Device.