Mk 19 grenade launcher
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MK-19_40mm_grenade_launcher_during_MIL-EX_2003.jpg
The MK19 (also known as MK-19, M19, Mark 19, or Mk 19) is a belt-fed grenade machine gun capable of firing five grenades every second.
The MK19 fires 40mm grenades at a cyclic rate of 300 to 400 rounds per minute, giving a practical rate of fire of 60 rpm (rapid) and 40 rpm (sustained). It has a maximum effective range of 1500 meters for a point target and maximum range of 2212 m for an area target. It was originally fielded by the US Navy in Vietnam for river patrol boats, but was adopted and improved upon by the US Army. It 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 33 kg). The ammunition comes in 32 or 48 round cans weighing 42 and 60 lb (20 and 30 kg).
Mk-19_40mm_automatic_grenade_launcher.jpg
It is made by General Dynamics and Saco Defense Industries.
The MK19 has been used by American forces in Somalia (1993) and in Iraq (1991) by special forces operating behind enemy lines. It is currently (2004-2005) in widespread use in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
It can be mounted on various vehicles such as the Humvee (HMMWV) and Stryker, as well as a large variety of naval mounts.
The MK19 automatic grenade launcher replaced the earlier MK18 hand-cranked multiple grenade launcher.
External links
- General Dynamics (http://www.gdatp.com/products/lethality/mk19/mk19.htm)