Denel PAW-20

The Neopup PAW-20 (Personal Assault Weapon, 20 mm) is a grenade launcher designed by Tony Neophytou and is marketed by Denel. Specifications

• Weight 5.9 kg (12.9 lb), empty
• Length 845 mm (33.3 in) (deployed),

770 mm (30.3 in) (stowed)

• Barrel length 355 mm (14.0 in)
• Width 115 mm (4.5 in)
• Height 185 mm (7.3 in)
• Cartridge 20mm x 42mm point-detonating rounds developed by PMP Denel [3]
• Action Gas operated with a rotating bolt
• Muzzle velocity 300 m/s (984 ft/s)
• Effective range 500 m for point targets. 800 m for suppressive fire (soldiers in a group.) 1000 m for area targets.
• Feed system 7-round box magazine
• Sights red-dot type collimating sight, but others available.

The PAW-20 is a hand-held, semi-automatic grenade launcher that fires a 20 mm point detonating round. It holds up to seven rounds in a conventional box magazine, each having an effective range of 300–400 metres. Its main use is against soldiers that are closely grouped or behind light cover. The weapon can also fire non-lethal payloads. The PAW-20 is in direct competition with the more complicated and expensive American XM25.

There has been criticism concerning the ejection port of the weapon, due to the shells being ejected near the firer's face which is said to produce hazards for the firer, but, in fact, poses no more hazard than most conventional assault rifles being fired left-handed. The PAW-20 even has the unique ability to be fired from the left shoulder for a right-handed operator by simply placing the butt on the left shoulder, with no hand swapping necessary. This allows the user the very important advantage of being able to fire from around or under cover which cannot be said for a number of bullpup weapons such as the Steyr AUG or the SA 80. The right-handed pistol grip location allows the weapon to recoil unimpeded into the butt stock this is what allows the weapon to fire a very heavy projectile at the high velocity it does for a grenade launcher.

Film

District 9