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.[1] The weapon was officially fielded in July 2009 at Fort Bragg by the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.[7] In June 2017, Bravo Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion became the first U.S. Marine Corps unit to be issued the M320.[8] Following initial experiments, the Marines expect to issue 7,000 launchers between 2019 and 2022.[9]
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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 M16assault 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 with electronic targeting system mounted on the M4 carbine.
The M320 is based on the earlier Heckler & Koch AG-C, but with some Army-specific modifications. It includes a folding foregrip and shorter barrel for a more compact package. The sights had to be reconfigured to shoot accurately with the slightly different ballistics from the shorter barrel length. The system was supposed to be lighter than the M203 (it is actually slightly heavier) and does not require specific mounting hardware. Breech loading allows the grenadier to load a shell while keeping the sight on target.[4] It weighs 3.57 lb (1.62 kg) in its base configuration, 3.89 lb (1.76 kg) with the LRF and electronic sight, and 4.8 lb (2.2 kg) with the stock attached.[1] The sights on the M320 are located to the side of the launcher, avoiding the problems that the M203 had with its sight design, which were mounted on top of the launcher and could interfere with the rifle's sights, so they had to be attached separately. This meant two separate operations had to be performed when adding the grenade launcher to the weapon, and since the sights were not integral to the M203, they had to be re-zeroed every time the launcher was reattached to the rifle. The LRF helps eliminate range estimation errors common in shots greater than 100 meters, thus increasing first round hit probability.
The M320 can fire all NATO high-explosive, smoke, and illumination grenades. Its breech opens to the side, allowing it to fire a variety of newer rounds which are longer, in particular certain non-lethal rounds, such as Federal Laboratories' "exact impact" (brand name) non-lethal sponge batons or sponge grenades.[6] The M320 operates in double-action mode, with an ambidextrous safety. In case of misfire, the M320 operator merely has to pull the trigger again. The M203 used a single-action mode, which cocks the weapon as the barrel is opened. The M203 operator has to open the barrel by unlocking it and pushing forward to cock the weapon and then re-close the barrel, then pull the trigger again. The problem with this is that in opening the barrel, the grenade is designed to eject and the operator must ensure that it does not fall to the ground.
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]
A U.S. Army soldier training with an M320 mounted on an M4 carbine
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 holster to provide protection, rather than just putting it in their rucksack. The Natick Soldier Systems Center began the M320GL Holster Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP) in November 2012. Three commercial vendors produced 167 holsters each. The SEP used the "buy-try-decide" concept, which allows the Army to test the functionality of equipment without spending much time on research and development. Soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment were given a dozen holsters and went through standardized tests in mid-May 2013, after which they filled out surveys. The next step was to test them with an entire brigade. As of July 2013, the holsters were being evaluated by soldiers in Afghanistan. Project officials were to make a recommendation to Fort Benning by the beginning of fiscal year 2014.[11]
^"The Ukrainian servicemen started using the M320 grenade launchers". 24 May 2022.
Fuller, BG Peter N.; COL Douglas A. Tamilio (18 May 2010). (PDF). PEO Soldier. United States Army. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2010.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to M320 Grenade launcher.
2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure
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April 13, 2024
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M320 redirects here For the opioid see M320 opioid This article needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information January 2022 M320 Grenade Launcher Module GLM is the U S military s designation for a new single shot 40 mm grenade launcher system to replace the M203 2 3 for the U S Army while other services initially kept using the older M203 The M320 uses the same High Low Propulsion System as the M203 M320 Grenade Launcher ModuleStandalone M320 with detachable buttstockTypeGrenade launcherPlace of originGermany and United StatesService historyIn service2009 presentUsed bySee UsersWarsWar in Afghanistan 2001 2021 2022 Russian invasion of UkraineProduction historyDesigned2008ManufacturerHeckler amp KochCapco Inc Unit costUS 3500 1 Produced2008VariantsM320 M320A1SpecificationsMass1 5 kg 3 3 lb Length350 mm 13 7 in Barrel length280 mm 11 in Cartridge40x46mm SRActionSingle shot double actionRate of fire5 to 7 rounds per minuteMuzzle velocity76 m s 250 ft s Effective firing range150 m 490 ft point 350 m 1 150 ft area Maximum firing range400 m 1 300 ft Feed systemSingle shot Contents 1 History 2 Design 3 Users 3 1 Non State Actors 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory editIn 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 amp 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 amp Koch was awarded a contract to provide the XM320 beginning in 2006 The M320 was developed from but is not identical to the Heckler amp 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 1 The weapon was officially fielded in July 2009 at Fort Bragg by the 1st Brigade Combat Team 82nd Airborne Division 7 In June 2017 Bravo Company 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion became the first U S Marine Corps unit to be issued the M320 8 Following initial experiments the Marines expect to issue 7 000 launchers between 2019 and 2022 9 Design editThe 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 nbsp The M320 with electronic targeting system mounted on the M4 carbine The M320 is based on the earlier Heckler amp Koch AG C but with some Army specific modifications It includes a folding foregrip and shorter barrel for a more compact package The sights had to be reconfigured to shoot accurately with the slightly different ballistics from the shorter barrel length The system was supposed to be lighter than the M203 it is actually slightly heavier and does not require specific mounting hardware Breech loading allows the grenadier to load a shell while keeping the sight on target 4 It weighs 3 57 lb 1 62 kg in its base configuration 3 89 lb 1 76 kg with the LRF and electronic sight and 4 8 lb 2 2 kg with the stock attached 1 The sights on the M320 are located to the side of the launcher avoiding the problems that the M203 had with its sight design which were mounted on top of the launcher and could interfere with the rifle s sights so they had to be attached separately This meant two separate operations had to be performed when adding the grenade launcher to the weapon and since the sights were not integral to the M203 they had to be re zeroed every time the launcher was reattached to the rifle The LRF helps eliminate range estimation errors common in shots greater than 100 meters thus increasing first round hit probability The M320 can fire all NATO high explosive smoke and illumination grenades Its breech opens to the side allowing it to fire a variety of newer rounds which are longer in particular certain non lethal rounds such as Federal Laboratories exact impact brand name non lethal sponge batons or sponge grenades 6 The M320 operates in double action mode with an ambidextrous safety In case of misfire the M320 operator merely has to pull the trigger again The M203 used a single action mode which cocks the weapon as the barrel is opened The M203 operator has to open the barrel by unlocking it and pushing forward to cock the weapon and then re close the barrel then pull the trigger again The problem with this is that in opening the barrel the grenade is designed to eject and the operator must ensure that it does not fall to the ground 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 nbsp A U S Army soldier training with an M320 mounted on an M4 carbineThe 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 holster to provide protection rather than just putting it in their rucksack The Natick Soldier Systems Center began the M320GL Holster Soldier Enhancement Program SEP in November 2012 Three commercial vendors produced 167 holsters each The SEP used the buy try decide concept which allows the Army to test the functionality of equipment without spending much time on research and development Soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment were given a dozen holsters and went through standardized tests in mid May 2013 after which they filled out surveys The next step was to test them with an entire brigade As of July 2013 the holsters were being evaluated by soldiers in Afghanistan Project officials were to make a recommendation to Fort Benning by the beginning of fiscal year 2014 11 Users edit nbsp Canada 6 nbsp Germany 6 nbsp Kosovo 6 nbsp Hungary 6 nbsp Malaysia 6 nbsp Norway 6 nbsp Philippines 6 nbsp Thailand 12 nbsp Ukraine 13 Ukrainian Ground Forces Ukrainian Marine Corps nbsp United Kingdom 6 nbsp United States 6 United States Army United States Marine Corps United States Air ForceNon State Actors edit Kachin Independence Army Uses the KA 0024 a clone of the M320 See also editKnight s Armament Company Masterkey M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System Rifle grenade Attached grenade launcher Pike munition AMD 65 XM25 CDTE Related Lists List of individual weapons of the U S Armed Forces List of crew served weapons of the U S Armed Forces United States 40 mm grenadesReferences edit 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 amp 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 amp 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 yuthothpkrninkxngthphbkithy 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 nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to M320 Grenade launcher XM320 40 mm Grenade Launcher Module GLM Fact sheet 2008 Heckler amp Koch Military and LE brochure AG36 AG C EGLM XM320 grenade launcher page on Modern Firearms site M320 on GlobalSecurity org XM320 page on HK USA site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title M320 Grenade Launcher Module amp oldid 1210021029, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
