What type of ordnance is designed to be thrown by hand or projected from special launchers?

The correct choice refers to ordnance that is specifically designed for hand-throwing or launching from designated equipment. Grenades are compact devices that can be either thrown manually or launched from a grenade launcher, allowing for a specific type of engagement that typically targets enemy personnel or equipment within a defined radius.

Grenades are categorized by their intended use, such as fragmentation, smoke, or incendiary, and are designed to be portable enough for an individual soldier to carry and operate effectively. The delivery mechanism is integral to their purpose, as they are crafted to explode upon impact or after a short delay, usually aiding in tactical situations where precision and mobility are critical.

In contrast, mortars are larger, indirect-fire weapons designed to launch projectiles at high angles using a mortar tube. Bombs are generally larger ordnance delivered via aircraft or other platforms, and rockets are propelled munitions typically launched from a specific launcher system, impacting targets at a greater distance and generally lacking the hand-throw ability. This distinction underscores why grenades are the appropriate answer in this context.