M320 Grenade Launcher Module
This article needs to be updated.(January 2022) |
M320 Grenade Launcher Module | |
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40x46mm SR | |
Action | Single-shot, double-action |
Rate of fire | 5 to 7 rounds per minute |
Muzzle velocity | 76 m/s (250 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | 150 m (490 ft) (point) 350 m (1,150 ft) (area) |
Maximum firing range | 400 m (1,300 ft) |
Feed system | Single-shot |
M320 Grenade Launcher Module (GLM) is the
History
In 2004, the Army announced a requirement for a commercial off-the-shelf 40 mm grenade launcher. It had to be more reliable, ergonomic, accurate, and safer than the M203. It had to be able to fire all 40 mm low-velocity grenades but be loaded from the breech to accept future longer projectiles. Heckler & Koch's submission was selected in May 2005.[4]
After the U.S. Army at Picatinny Arsenal conducted a competitive bidding process for a new 40 mm grenade launching system, Heckler & Koch was awarded a contract to provide the XM320 beginning in 2006. The M320 was developed from but is not identical to the Heckler & Koch AG36 (a key distinguishing feature being the addition of a folding foregrip ahead of the trigger for use when the weapon is in stand-alone configuration, a feature the AG36 lacks).[5][6] The M320 entered production in November 2008.
Fielding of the M320 was planned to begin in February 2009, with 71,600 GLMs planned to phase out the M203 by 2015.
Design
The M320 has three major parts: a grenade launcher with rifled barrel, Day/Night Sight (DNS) produced by Insight Technology, Inc and a hand held Laser Range Finder (LRF). Some of the benefits are:
- The M320 can be used in two ways. It can be attached to the M16 assault rifle, CAR-15 carbine, M4 carbine, HK416, or other types of rifles, attaching under the barrel forward of the magazine, or it can be used dismounted with a stock attached as a stand-alone model.[6] A grenadier carrying an M320 with an M4 and three dozen 40 mm grenades will have a total weapon load of 38 lb (17 kg).
- The Day/Night Sight allows the grenadier to effectively engage the enemy in the dark.
The M320 is based on the earlier
The M320 can fire all NATO
The M320 is one of two 40 mm grenade launchers capable of firing Pike Missile (developed by Raytheon) without modification—the other being the FN EGLM (Enhanced Grenade Launching Module) developed for the FN SCAR.
Nonetheless, the weapon's introduction was not without criticism:
- Soldiers complained about switching from the simple, more streamlined M203 to one with more sophisticated attachments (although this could be attributed simply to the change from a long-standing "tried and true" system to a new one). Complaints ranged from the forward grip and sighting system, the pistol grip handle catching on things, and the side loading mechanism. They even criticized its ability to act as a stand-alone launcher, a feature included in response to troops re-acquiring Vietnam-era M79 grenade launchers that supposedly gave better accuracy when fired from the shoulder than if slung under a rifle, although the collapsible stock is somewhat short for the task.[10]
- The M320 has the ability to fire detached from a rifle. Soldiers have reported difficulties carrying it unmounted, as its one-point sling does not hold it securely. Carrying by the sling would cause it to bounce around and sometimes be dragged through dirt. Soldiers wanted to carry the M320 in a Fort Benning by the beginning of fiscal year 2014.[11]
Users
- Canada[6]
- Germany[6]
- Kosovo[6]
- Hungary[6]
- Malaysia[6]
- Norway[6]
- Philippines[6]
- Thailand[12]
- Ukraine[13]
- United Kingdom[6]
- United States[6]
Non-State Actors
- Kachin Independence Army: Uses the KA-0024, a clone of the M320.
See also
- Knight's Armament Company Masterkey
- M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System
- Rifle grenade
- Attached grenade launcher
- Pike (munition)
- AMD-65
- XM25 CDTE
- Related Lists:
References
- ^ a b c 40mm M320 grenade launcher will be replace M203 next year – Thefirearmblog.com, 5 December 2008
- ^ "XM320 Grenade Launcher Module And XM26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System". Army Magazine. Archived from the original on 8 February 2006.
- ^ "Product Manager Individual Weapons" Archived 22 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b History of the Heckler & Koch 40mm Grenade Launcher – SAdefensejournal.com, 24 August 2011
- ^ "AG36 / AG-C / EGLM / XM320 grenade launcher". Modern Firearms. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)". MilitaryFactory.
- ^ MacLeod, Spc. Michael J. "Bragg GIs 1st to Field Grenade Launcher". Military.com, 8 July 2009
- ^ Out with the old, in with the new: Marines test new grenade launcher module – Marines.mil, 9 June 2017
- ^ Marine Corps testing upgraded grenade launcher – MarineCorpstimes.com, 14 June 2017
- ^ Soldiers’ Perspective: The M320 Grenade Launcher – Kitup.Military.com, 28 May 2010
- ^ Natick develops holster for M320 grenade launcher – Army.mil, 25 July 2013
- ^ "ยุทโธปกรณ์ในกองทัพบกไทย". 2 May 2019.
- ^ "The Ukrainian servicemen started using the M320 grenade launchers". 24 May 2022.
- Fuller, BG Peter N.; COL Douglas A. Tamilio (18 May 2010). "Project Manager Soldier Weapons Briefing for NDIA" (PDF). PEO Soldier. United States Army. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army.