Turkey and Egypt license produce Mk.19, although Israel did so formerly. Major operators of the Mk.19 include the United States, Mexico, Pakistan, Canada, Israel, and Greece. It is very reliable and more accurate, utilizing a closed bolt system. Heckler and Koch developed an improved and lighter version of the Mk 19 using the same caliber: the GMG (Grenade Machine Gun).
The Soviet Union adopted a similar 30 mm automatic grenade launcher soon after the United States did. The Mk 19 has fought in numerous wars, primarily with all branches of the US Armed Forces, including the Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War, 2006 Lebanon War, Turkey-PKK Conflict, and the Mexican Drug War. Additionally, it can blast through 16 inches of concrete.
At its introduction, it could penetrate the frontal armor of all soviet IFVs and APCs, though the frontal arc of the current BMP3 can probably defeat it. They can penetrate over 50mm of steel armor, more than enough to get through most IFVs’ rear and side armor, and rapidly disable unarmored vehicles. US Army soldiers shooting Mk 19 during a training session (Photo: XY) The 40mm grenades have a wounding radius of 15 meters, making them much more likely to affect human targets than a heavy machinegun. In addition to acting as machineguns for suppressive fire, it is more effective against personnel and can easily destroy most vehicles and structures. The Mk 19 and other automatic grenade launchers are versatile infantry support weapons. It is lethal within 5 meters and wounds anything within 15 meters. Thus, it is effective against most armored personnel carriers, some infantry fighting vehicles, infantry, and even helicopters. Mk 19 can penetrate up to 50 mm of rolled homogeneous armor with a direct hit. The M430 40×53 mm high explosive dual-purpose grenades provide much of the Mk.19’s power. It can be mounted on a tripod, although it is more commonly used in the vehicle mode due to its weight, serving on HMMWVs, AAVs, the Stryker, MRAPs, hovercraft, jeeps, or ships. Since it has relatively low recoil, the Mk 19 grenade launcher is best used on vehicles or small vessels. The Mk 19 is fed from 32 or 48 round disintegrating link belts weighing 19 or 27 kg. High explosive fragmentation, dual-purpose (armor-piercing/fragmentation), and smoke grenades. Consequently, it has a highly visible flash. The Mk 19 is a blowback operated, open bolt, an air-cooled weapon capable of fully automatic or single-shot fire. Although it has a flash suppressor, it is only intended to preserve the gunner’s night vision. The nearest safe distance to launch the grenade is 310 meters in training and 75 meters in combat. Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher can add a night vision sight via a Picatinny rail. The Mk 19 can launch its grenade at a maximum distance of 2,212 meters, though its effective range to a point target is about 1,500 meters, since the large rear leaf sight is only graduated to 1,500 meters. It utilizes a large rear leaf sight moved in 100-meter increments. The Mk 19 is not safe to be fired at targets fewer than 75 meters away. It’s a great experience.Mark 19 Automatic Grenade Launcher (Photo: XY) “We get to spend time with guys that are new to the unit. “This kind of training is awesome, as a group we get a lot closer,” said Gottuso. George Gottuso, a nursing student from Washington Township, N.J. “Today we’re having a lot of fun training, but also gaining valuable experience,” said Cpl. The New Jersey Soldiers, firing on tank targets, operated in teams of three: loader, gunner, and spotter. “They can shoot a laser that measures the distance to the target, and make small adjustments to keep locked onto that target.”ĬROWS, which stands for Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) is a remote weapons station for use on top of tactical vehicles. “With the CROWS, they can sit inside the vehicle and watch everything on a screen,” continued Cartwright. “We have them set up on the tripod mount, as well as the CROWS system,” said Senior Gunner Staff Sgt.
The Guardsmen got to shoot the Mk 19 on several platforms. The Mk 19 was originally designed in 1966, and the U.S. “ It’s great against area targets, enemy troops, and light vehicles.” “The Mk 19 is a fully automatic grenade launcher that throws 40mm rounds downrange,” said Platt. Sean Platt, who by trade is a construction worker from Millville, N.J., was excited about the training. The Soldiers trained with the Mk 19 July 25-26 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst’s expansive ranges. Mk 19 grenade launcher Automatic grenade launcher Weapon, grenade launcher, machine Gun, auto Part png 1200x500px 270.12KB Mk 19 grenade launcher Weapon. After a year of training on a variety of weapons, troops from Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry finally got hands on experience with the Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher. When Soldiers are in combat, they rely on the tools of the trade that provide the biggest punch.