The MPL-57 (Multi-Purpose Launcher) represents a grenade launcher that Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc. initially engineered during the time of the Galactic Civil War, aiming to expand their presence in the market.
The MPL-57 had the capability to launch three grenades in quick bursts, each with a short-delay fuse, which made it quite effective for infantry combat. Aside from its standard grenade-launching function, the Galactic Civil War saw two prevalent modifications of the MPL-57. The first of these alterations involved reconfiguring the launcher to deploy ion torpedoes, accompanied by the replacement of the standard leaf sight with an electronic targeting scope designed to acquire locks on vehicles and fixed weapon emplacements. The second modification involved adapting the launcher to fire homing missiles, coupled with the addition of a targeting scope capable of locking onto organic signatures, like enemy combatants.
Merr-Sonn Munitions, Inc. conceived the MPL-57 during the period of the Galactic Civil War. Its popularity stemmed from its adaptability and capacity to launch a diverse array of ammunition. Both the soldiers of the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the stormtroopers serving the Galactic Empire made use of this weapon.