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| Mk 19 grenade launcher | |
|---|---|
 Mark 19 (Specs for Mod 3) |
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| Type | Automatic grenade launcher |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| Wars | Vietnam War, 2006 Lebanon War, Gulf War, OIF, OEF |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Naval Ordnance Center - Louisville |
| Designed | 1966 |
| Manufacturer | Saco Defense Industries (now a division of General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products), Combined Service Forces |
| Produced | 1967 - Present |
| Variants | Mk 19 Mod 0, Mk 19 Mod 1, Mk 19 Mod 2, Mk 19 Mod 3 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 72.5 Pounds (Gun only) |
| Length | 43.1 Inches |
| Barrel length | 16.25 Inches |
| Width | 13.4 Inches |
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| Cartridge | 40x53mm |
| Action | Advanced Primer Ignition / Blowback |
| Rate of fire | 325-375 rpm (Cyclic) |
| Effective range | 1500 m |
| Maximum range | 2,212 m |
| Feed system | Belt |
The Mk 19 Grenade Launcher is a belt-fed automatic 40 mm grenade launcher or grenade machine gun that entered U.S. military service during the Cold War, first seeing action during the Vietnam War and remaining in service today.
Contents |
Overview
The Mk 19 is a belt fed, blowback operated, air cooled, crew served, fully automatic weapon that is designed not to cook off.
The Mk 19 fires 40 mm grenades at a cyclic rate of 325 to 375 rounds per minute, giving a practical rate of fire of 60 rounds per minute (rapid) and 40 rounds per minute (sustained). The weapon operates on the blowback principle, which uses the chamber pressure from each fired round to load and re-cock the weapon. The Mk 19 is able to lob its grenade at a maximum distance of 2,212 meters, though its effective range for a point target is about 1,500 meters, since the large rear leaf sight is only graduated to 1,500 meters. The nearest safe distance to launch the grenade is 75 meters during training. While the MK 19 has a flash suppressor, it only serves to save the eyesight of the SM firing it, and do nothing for concealing the weapons position. For night operation, an AN/TVS-5 night vision sight can be fitted.
The Mk 19 is a man-portable crew-served weapon that can fire from a tripod mounted position or from a vehicle mount (this being the preferred method as the weapon alone weighs 72.5 lbs). The primary ammunition for Mk 19 is the high explosive dual-purpose M430 grenade. Upon impact, the grenade can kill anyone within the radius of five meters, and wound them within the radius of 15 meters. It can also punch through two inches of rolled homogeneous steel with a direct hit (0 Degree Obliquity), which means it can penetrate most infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. It is especially effective when used against enemy infantry formations. The ammunition comes in 32 or 48 round cans weighing 42 and 60 lb, respectively. Due to its low recoil and comparatively light weight, it has been adapted for use on many different platforms, including small attack boats, fast attack vehicles such as the Humvee (HMMWV), AAV and Stryker, military jeeps and a large variety of naval mounts.
The Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher replaced the earlier Mk 18 hand-cranked multiple grenade launcher. The 40 mm ammunition used (40x53mm) is not interchangeable with that used in the M203 (40x46mm). The M203 grenades are technically "low-velocity" grenades, and are generally of the standard High Explosive variety, whereas the Mk 19 utilizes "high-velocity" at 790 ft/s High Explosive Dual-Purpose (HEDP) variety. The Mk 19 utilizes an open bolt principle. The rounds are mechanically fed onto the bolt face with the pull of the charging handles. When the trigger is pressed, the bolt closes, and the firing pin is released. The recoil blows back the bolt, feeds a new round onto the bolt face, which pushes the expended casing off the bolt face.
The Mk 19 is made by Saco Defense Industries (now a division of General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products).
Service
It was originally fielded by the U.S. Navy in Vietnam for river patrol boats, but was adopted and improved upon by the U.S. Army.
The Israeli Defence Forces also adopted the weapon (under the name "Maklar" - Mikla Rimonim = Grenade machinegun), fielding it in infantry and mechanized units.
Sweden made the Mk 19 under license as the Grksp 40 mm grenade launcher. Taiwan has this made under license as the Type 83 made by the Combined Service Forces.
The Mk 19 has been used by American forces in Somalia (1993) and in Iraq (1991) by special forces operating behind enemy lines and Military Police. It is currently in widespread use in the U.S. Military.
The Polish Army bought a number of Mk 19 grenade launchers for their armed forces - used mostly in Afghanistan
The Mexican Army uses the Mk 19 extensively in its war with powerful drug cartels.
Users
Argentina (Argentine Marines)
Australia
Croatia
Bulgaria
Chile
Colombia
Finland
Georgia
Israel
Italy
Lebanon [1]
Mexico
Malaysia
New Zealand
Pakistan
Philippines {Used by Philippine Navy mounted on BRP Mariano Alvarez.
Portugal
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Spain (Spanish Marines in AAV and LAV turrets)
Sweden
Turkey
Thailand- United States
United Kingdom
Iraq
See also
- Mk 47 Mod 0 Stryker
- HK GMG, similar weapon used by the German Army
- SB LAG 40, similar weapon used by Spain
- ST Kinetics CIS 40 AGL
- Vektor Y3 AGL, similar weapon of South African origin
- AGS-17 ( Automatic Grenade Launcher - 30mm grenade)
- AGS-30 ( Automatic Grenade Launcher - 30mm grenade)
- SAG-30
References
- ^ Miles, Donna (April 8, 2009). "Gates, Lebanese Defense Minister Explore Expanding Bilateral Relationship". American Forces Press Service - DefenseLink News. http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=53846. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mk 19 grenade launcher |
- General Dynamics
- MK19 MOD 3 40mm Machine Gun - Global Security
- 40mm grenades - Global Security
- MK19 Review
- M430 40mm Cartridge High-explosive dual purpose (HEDP) round specs
- Martin Electronics, Inc. Home Page - 40 mm Ammunition
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