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The 40 mm grenade is the grenade caliber used by the United States military for their grenade launchers. There are two main types: the 40 x 46 mm, which is a low-velocity round used in light infantry grenade launchers; and the more powerful 40 x 53 mm, used in heavier, mounted and crew-served weapons.
The M79, Colt XM148, Mk 18 Mod 0, Mk 20 Mod 0, M203, and recently adopted XM320 are chambered for the low-velocity 40 x 46 mm.
The 40 x 53 mm is used in the Mk 19 Mod 3 and the Mk 47 Mod 0 "Striker" 40 mm Grenade Machine Guns (GMGs). In these roles, the round is linked together with a metallic disintegrating link and fired automatically. The 40 x 53 mm is also used in some mounted helicopter grenade launcher systems, which are electrically-powered and primed.
The 40 x 46 mm and 40 x 53 mm cartridges are not interchangeable.
United States military cartridges
There are several types of 40 mm cartridges for the M203, Mk 19 Mod 3, M79 and Mk 47 Mod 0 grenade launchers, including high explosive (HE), smoke, flare and CS gas grenades. Below are the types used by the United States military on each grenade launcher:
M203
- M381, High Explosive (HE)
- M386, High Explosive (HE)
- M397, Airburst
- M397A1, Airburst
- M406, High Explosive (HE)
- M433, High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP)
- M441, High Explosive (HE)
- M576, Buckshot
- M583A1, Star Parachute Round (flare)
- M585, White Star Cluster (flare)
- M651, CS (CS gas)
- M661, Green Star Cluster (flare)
- M662, Red Star Cluster (flare)
- M676, Yellow Smoke Canopy
- M680, White Smoke Canopy
- M682, Red Smoke Canopy
- M713, Ground Marker – Red (smoke)
- M714, Ground Marker – White (smoke)
- M715, Ground Marker – Green (smoke)
- M716, Ground Marker – Yellow (smoke)
- M781, Practice
- M918, Target Practice
- M992, Infrared Illuminant Cartridge (IRIC — flare, visible through night vision equipment)
- 40MM Canister Round
- 40MM Non-Lethal Round (crowd dispersal round; riot control)
- 40MM Sponge Grenade (crowd dispersal round; riot control)
M79
- M381, High Explosive (HE)
- M386, High Explosive (HE)
- M397, Airburst
- M397A1, Airburst
- M576, Buckshot
- M651, CS
- M781, Practice
Mk 19 Mod 3
- M383, High Explosive (HE)
- M384, High Explosive (HE)
- M385I, Practice
- M430I, High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP)
- M918, Practice
- M922/M922A1, Dummy
Mk 47 Mod 0
- MK285, Programmable Prefragmented High Explosive/Self-Destructable (PPHE/SD)
The 40 mm HE round features a rudimentary proximity device, which prevents the grenade from detonating if it strikes a target too close to the firer.
Other weapons using the 40 x 46 mm round are the Corner Shot 40™ grenade launcher, the Milkor MGL Mk-1S Multiple Grenade Launcher, the Penn Arms PGL65-40 'Fourkiller Tactical Model' 40 mm Multiple Grenade Launcher, the Heckler & Koch AG36, and the Heckler & Koch 69A1.
The Russian GP-30 Obuvka, GP-25 Kastyor, and BG-15 Mukha use an unique type of 40 mm grenade. These grenades are caseless, holding their own propellant within the body of the grenade. The Russian 40 mm grenades are not interchangeable with U.S. 40 x 46 mm and 40 x 53 mm weapons.
The Metal Storm 40 mm Weapon System is a 4-barrel, 16-round weapon system that also uses 40 mm grenades, and is designed for mounting on an unmanned ground vehicle. Initial trials are underway to determine suitability for mounting on unmanned aerial vehicles.
See also
References
Bibliography
External links
- 40mm Low-Velocity Grenades
- Defense Review overview of Mk 47 Mod 0 'Striker' 40mm Grenade Machine Gun
- Defense Review overview of Corner Shot 40™ personal grenade launcher
- Defense Review overview of Milkor MGL Mk-1S Multiple Grenade Launcher
- Defense Review overview of Penn Arms PGL65-40 'Fourkiller Tactical Model' 40 mm Multiple Grenade Launcher
- Penn Arms data page for PGL65-40 6-Shot Grenade Launcher
Grenades | Ammunition | Projectiles | Large calibre cartridges
"40 mm grenade"