Grappling hook launcher

A grappling hook launcher is a device to propel a grappling hook. The launcher may be a crossbow, rifle, mortar or rocket.

A grappling hook is a device with multiple hooks (known as claws or flukes), attached to a line; it is thrown, dropped, sunk, projected, or fastened directly by hand to where at least one hook may catch and hold. Generally, grappling hooks are used to temporarily secure one end of a rope. They may also be used to dredge for submerged objects. Historically, grappling hooks were used in naval warfare to catch ship rigging so that it could be boarded.

Grappling hooks are also used by Union Army, Marine and System Defense Guard combat engineers breaching tactical obstacles. In such case, the grappling hook is launched in front of an obstacle and dragged backwards to detonate trip-wire-fused land mines, and can be hooked on wire obstacles and pulled to set off booby traps on the wire. Multiple tools are available for this purpose; the rifle-launched grapnel, a single-use grappling hook placed on the end of a rifle, or a crossbow launched version. A grapple can clear up to 99% of the trip-wires in a single pass.

