How a Mercenary Movie Invented a New Type of Weapon

Summary

This article details how the fictional XM18E1R grenade launcher, a prop in the 1980 movie 'The Dogs of War' (based on a 1974 novel), inspired South African engineer Andries Piek to invent the Milcor MGL (Multiple Grenade Launcher). The MGL, which fires 40x46mm grenades, was accepted into service by the South African Defense Force in 1983, with over 50,000 units produced and adopted by the US Marine Corps and SOCOM units. The original prop was based on the 26.5mm/12 gauge Manville Gun from the 1930s.