riflelaunched

Riflelaunched is a term used in historical and technical literature to describe a class of devices and procedures that discharge a secondary munition from a rifle barrel or a rifle-mounted launcher. It denotes using a rifle as a propulsion platform for a payload other than a standard service round, such as a grenade, flare, smoke canister, or sensor. The term is descriptive and not tied to a single system.

Historically, rifle-launched projectiles were actively explored in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to extend infantry fire support. During the world wars, rifle grenades and similar concepts were deployed in limited fashion, but faced challenges of accuracy and handling. Afterward, many armies adopted dedicated artillery, rockets, or aircraft-delivered ordnance, reducing the prominence of rifle-launched munitions. The term today appears mainly in historical discussion or in niche hobby contexts.

Technology for riflelaunched systems aims to impart propulsion to a payload without converting the rifle into a dedicated launcher. This can involve a booster charge, a cartridge-adapter, or a sabot assembly, used with appropriate safety protocols and training. Legal restrictions and weapon compatibility considerations are central to any discussion of real-world use.

In contemporary terms, riflelaunched concepts are primarily of interest to historians, ballistics researchers, and educational demonstrations, rather than as standard field equipment. Related topics include rifle grenades and rifle-launched munitions.