PAPOP (PolyArme POlyProjectiles)

History of PAPOP (PolyArme POlyProjectiles)

In recent military history, a major world power has attempted to produce a proper "combined assault weapon" that combines the capabilities of an assault rifle with the firepower of a "smart" grenade launcher. For the French, this became the PAPOP initiative (PolyArme POlyProjectiles), which has the same purpose as all other initiatives - cancellation. Led by GIAT Industries (now Nexter), the product includes the assault rifle segment of Belgian company FN Herstal, the shells from Euroimpact and the sighting system from Sfim ODS.

Work was carried out in the mid-1990s, and in the end there were only two distinct prototypes.

The first prototype PAPOP 1 used the FN Herstal 5.56x45mm NATO assault weapon in a bullpup arrangement (feed and action behind the pistol grip/trigger group). The 35mm grenade launcher section has an integrated aiming computer system and power supply and is a large part located above the rifle.

The support structure of the pistol grip is completely enclosed around the hand, as does the front part used as the forearm. The shoulder rest is one piece and fixed, housing the magazine feed and action.

When combined, the grenade launcher sits above the assault rifle barrel and holds three ready-to-fire programmable grenades, while the assault rifle is fed from a 30-round 5.56mm magazine.

Combo weapons have always been designed to add long-range firepower to standard infantry. The grenade launch aspect of the system allows the gunner to put on a grenadier hat and provide his own support fire to the target area, or engage digging enemies from cover. Due to the programmable nature of the grenade, an air blast ("air blast") can occur over or near the target area or person. In theory, no enemy can find satisfactory cover within range of a PAPOP-equipped gunner.

For standard threats, the 5.56mm assault rifle section has come into play.

Despite the work done on PAPOP 1, the original design proved too bulky and difficult to use in the field - the same problems as other combo weapons. This forced GIAT engineers to redesign the weapon to produce the PAPOP 2 prototype. The product features a more traditional looking assault rifle section, and a more enclosed grenade launcher unit located above the rifle section.

The original 30-round 5.56mm magazine was reduced to 25 rounds in the redesign, and the three-round launcher's case capacity is now reduced to two. However, the overall weight has been reduced from 8kg to 6kg and the overall length has also been significantly reduced, resulting in a more compact system with better transportability and easier handling in urban environments.

Nevertheless, PAPOP products did not become a recognized form of mass production for the French Army. It joins systems such as the American Heckler & Koch XM29 OICW (Objective Individual Combat Weapon) and the Soviet Cold War-era "80.002" weapon/grenade system, which were other abandoned joint weapons system programs that appeared before or after PAPOP.

South Koreas S&T Daewoo has been developing its K11 Joint Assault Weapon System since 2010, which has similar potential its field deployment and potential export sales will determine its durability as a next-generation front-line weapon system.

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