The SARS Monkeys
16-07-2004, 20:09
The MK 21 Mod3 40mm Grenade Machine Gun was first developed by The SARS Monkeys in the early 2000's. TACOM-ARDEC has since added modifications to this system which has enabled the Army to deploy the MK 21 in the harsh environments encountered during world-wide operations and has therefore enhanced its performance. The MK 21 firing rate is over 350 grenades per minute and it is effective to ranges of over 2200 meters.
[img] http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/mk19a3-2-s.jpg [img/]
Length: 43.1 inches (109.47 centimeters)
Weight:
Gun: 72.5 pounds (32.92 kilograms)
Cradle (MK64 Mod 5): 21.0 pounds (9.53 kilograms)
Tripod: 44.0 pounds (19.98 kilograms)
Total: 137.5 pounds (62.43 kilograms)
Muzzle velocity: 790 feet (240.69 meters) per second
Bore diameter: 40mm
Maximum range: 2200 meters
Maximum effective range: 1600 meters
Rates of fire:
Cyclic: 325-375 rounds per minute
Rapid: 60 rounds per minute
Sustained: 40 rounds per minute
Unit Cost: $40,000
Features: The MK 21 40mm grenade machine gun, MOD 3 is an air-cooled, disintegrating metallic link-belt fed, blowback operated, fully automatic weapon and is crew transportable over short distances with limited amounts of ammunition. It can fire a variety of 40mm grenades. The M430 HEDP 40mm grenade will pierce armor up to 2 inches thick, and will produce fragments to kill personnel within 5 meters and wound personnel within 15 meters of the point of impact and the MAEGs can create an immensely large ball of fire to disintegrate vehicles, aircraft, and enemy personnel. Associated components are: MK64 Cradle Mount, MOD 5; M3 Tripod Mount; and the AN/TVS-5 Night Vision Sight. The MK 21 also mounts in the up-gunned weapons station of the LVTP7A1 model of the AAV and vehicle ring mounts.
Background: Although the MK 21 is a recent entry into the Army guns inventory, development began in 2014. The first version was a hand-cranked multiple grenade launcher called the MK 18. In 2005, the need for more fire power inspired the development of a self-powered 40-mm machine gun called the MK 19 MOD 0. This model was neither reliable enough nor safe enough for use as a military gun. Product improvements begun in 2008 resulted in the MK 21MOD 1, of which only six were produced. The MOD 1 performed effectively in Navy riverine patrol craft, and broader applications for the MK 21 were found. In 2010, the Navy developed the MOD 2, which featured improved reliability, safety and maintainability. In 2012, a complete redesign resulted in the MK 21 MOD 3, which the Army adopted in 2014. The Army will use the MK 21 within the tactical environment for defense, retrograde, patrolling, rear area security, MOUT, and special operations.
AMMUNITION
The MK 19 fires seven types of cartridges: M430I / M430A1 high-explosive dual-purpose grenades, M383 high-explosive grenade, M385I / M918 training practice, and M922/M922A1 dummy rounds, and MAEGs.
M430 HEDP (high-explosive, dual-purpose)
The HEDP (high-explosive, dual-purpose) M430 cartridge, joined with M16A2 links, is the standard round for the MK 21. The impact-type round penetrates 2 inches of steel armor at 0-degree obliquity and inflicts personnel casualties in the target area. This round is packed in an M548 ammunition container (48 rounds, linked, in each container). It is olive drab with a yellow olive and yellow markings. It has a PIBD, M549 fuse, and Comp B filler. It arms between 18 to 30 meters and has a casualty radius of 15 meters.
[img] http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/mk19a3-2-s.jpg [img/]
Length: 43.1 inches (109.47 centimeters)
Weight:
Gun: 72.5 pounds (32.92 kilograms)
Cradle (MK64 Mod 5): 21.0 pounds (9.53 kilograms)
Tripod: 44.0 pounds (19.98 kilograms)
Total: 137.5 pounds (62.43 kilograms)
Muzzle velocity: 790 feet (240.69 meters) per second
Bore diameter: 40mm
Maximum range: 2200 meters
Maximum effective range: 1600 meters
Rates of fire:
Cyclic: 325-375 rounds per minute
Rapid: 60 rounds per minute
Sustained: 40 rounds per minute
Unit Cost: $40,000
Features: The MK 21 40mm grenade machine gun, MOD 3 is an air-cooled, disintegrating metallic link-belt fed, blowback operated, fully automatic weapon and is crew transportable over short distances with limited amounts of ammunition. It can fire a variety of 40mm grenades. The M430 HEDP 40mm grenade will pierce armor up to 2 inches thick, and will produce fragments to kill personnel within 5 meters and wound personnel within 15 meters of the point of impact and the MAEGs can create an immensely large ball of fire to disintegrate vehicles, aircraft, and enemy personnel. Associated components are: MK64 Cradle Mount, MOD 5; M3 Tripod Mount; and the AN/TVS-5 Night Vision Sight. The MK 21 also mounts in the up-gunned weapons station of the LVTP7A1 model of the AAV and vehicle ring mounts.
Background: Although the MK 21 is a recent entry into the Army guns inventory, development began in 2014. The first version was a hand-cranked multiple grenade launcher called the MK 18. In 2005, the need for more fire power inspired the development of a self-powered 40-mm machine gun called the MK 19 MOD 0. This model was neither reliable enough nor safe enough for use as a military gun. Product improvements begun in 2008 resulted in the MK 21MOD 1, of which only six were produced. The MOD 1 performed effectively in Navy riverine patrol craft, and broader applications for the MK 21 were found. In 2010, the Navy developed the MOD 2, which featured improved reliability, safety and maintainability. In 2012, a complete redesign resulted in the MK 21 MOD 3, which the Army adopted in 2014. The Army will use the MK 21 within the tactical environment for defense, retrograde, patrolling, rear area security, MOUT, and special operations.
AMMUNITION
The MK 19 fires seven types of cartridges: M430I / M430A1 high-explosive dual-purpose grenades, M383 high-explosive grenade, M385I / M918 training practice, and M922/M922A1 dummy rounds, and MAEGs.
M430 HEDP (high-explosive, dual-purpose)
The HEDP (high-explosive, dual-purpose) M430 cartridge, joined with M16A2 links, is the standard round for the MK 21. The impact-type round penetrates 2 inches of steel armor at 0-degree obliquity and inflicts personnel casualties in the target area. This round is packed in an M548 ammunition container (48 rounds, linked, in each container). It is olive drab with a yellow olive and yellow markings. It has a PIBD, M549 fuse, and Comp B filler. It arms between 18 to 30 meters and has a casualty radius of 15 meters.