M320 grenade launcher

M320 Grenade Launcher Module
M320 with detachable buttstock
Type	Grenade launcher
Land of Origin	Germany
Specifications
Length	350 mm (13.7 in.)
Barrel length	280 mm (11 in.)
Weight	1.5 kg (3.3 lb)
Cartridge	40x46mm SR
Action	Single shot, double action
Rate of Fire	5 to 7 rpm
Muzzle velocity	76 m/s
Effective Range	150 m
Max. Range	400 m
Feed	Single shot
Production History
Manufacturer	Heckler & Koch
Unit Cost	US$3,500

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. Like the M203 it replaces, the M320 uses the same High-Low Propulsion System. The US 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). The M320 entered production in November 2008.

The unit was officially fielded in July 2009 at Fort Bragg by the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Overview

The M320 with electronic targeting system mounted on the M4 carbine.

The M320 has three major parts: a grenade launcher, 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 and the M4 Carbine, attaching under the barrel forward of the magazine, or it can be used dismounted with a stock attached as a stand alone model.
• The Day/Night Sight allows the grenadier to effectively engage the enemy in the dark.
• The sights on the M320 are located to the side of the launcher. This avoids the problems that the M203 had with its sight design. The M203's sights were mounted on top of the launcher and could interfere with the rifle's sights and 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 M320 can fire all NATO high-explosive, smoke, and illuminating grenades. Its breech opens to the side, allowing it to fire a variety of newer rounds which are longer, in particular certain less-lethal rounds.
• 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 LRF helps eliminate range estimation errors common in shots greater than 100 meters, thus increasing first round hit probability.

A U.S. Army soldier training with an M320 mounted on an M4 carbine

Resources

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See also

• KAC Masterkey
• M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System
• Rifle grenade
• Under-slung Grenade Launcher
• Related Lists:
  • List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • List of crew served weapons of the US Armed Forces
  • United States 40 mm grenades

References

• Fuller, BG Peter N.; COL Douglas A. Tamilio (18 MAY 2010). "Project Manager Soldier Weapons Briefing for NDIA" United States Army.

External links

• AG36 / AG-C / EGLM / XM320 grenade launcher page on Modern Firearms site
• M320 on GlobalSecurity.org
• XM320 page on HK USA site