Heckler & Koch GMG
Encyclopedia
The GMG is an automatic
grenade launcher
developed by Heckler & Koch
for the German Army
. It is also often referred to as GMW (Granatmaschinenwaffe).
s at a rate of about 350 rounds per minute. The GMG is belt-fed
, and can be loaded from either side, making it ambidextrous. With a variety of sights available (including night-vision and infrared
types) the GMG can be used for accurate, long range bombardments in a large number and types of situations.
The weapon itself is 1.09 m long, the barrel is 415 mm, and the ammunition box has dimensions of 470x160x250 mm. The gun operates on a recoil operated blow back basis. It weighs 29 kg; the tripod is an additional 11 kg.
desert in Arizona
in 1997 in order to compete for future US contracts.
Automatic firearm
An automatic firearm is a firearm that loads another round mechanically after the first round has been fired.The term can be used to refer to semi-automatic firearms, which fire one shot per single pull of the trigger , or fully automatic firearms, which will continue to load and fire ammunition...
grenade launcher
Grenade launcher
A grenade launcher or grenade discharger is a weapon that launches a grenade with more accuracy, higher velocity, and to greater distances than a soldier could throw it by hand....
developed by Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch GmbH is a German defense manufacturing company that produces various small arms. Some of their products include the SA80, MP5 submachine gun, G3 automatic rifle, the G36 assault rifle, the HK 416, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the USP series of handguns, and the high-precision...
for the German Army
German Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
. It is also often referred to as GMW (Granatmaschinenwaffe).
Design details
It fires 40 mm grenade40 mm grenade
The 40mm grenade is a military grenade caliber for grenade launchers in service with many armed forces. There are two main types in service: the 40×46mm, which is a low-velocity round used in hand-held grenade launchers; and the high-velocity 40×53mm, used in mounted and crew-served weapons. The...
s at a rate of about 350 rounds per minute. The GMG is belt-fed
Belt (firearm)
A belt or ammunition belt is a device used to retain and feed cartridges into a firearm. Belts and the associated feed systems are typically employed to feed machine guns or other automatic weapons...
, and can be loaded from either side, making it ambidextrous. With a variety of sights available (including night-vision and infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
types) the GMG can be used for accurate, long range bombardments in a large number and types of situations.
The weapon itself is 1.09 m long, the barrel is 415 mm, and the ammunition box has dimensions of 470x160x250 mm. The gun operates on a recoil operated blow back basis. It weighs 29 kg; the tripod is an additional 11 kg.
Testing and operation
The HK GMG was tested in the YumaYuma, Arizona
Yuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
desert in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
in 1997 in order to compete for future US contracts.
Users
- 304 ordered. Designated as the C16 Close Area Suppression Weapon (CASW). Locally known as 40 KRKK 2005: Lithuanian Armed Forces. : 44 purchased in 2006 for use in AfghanistanWar in Afghanistan (2001–present)The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
and Iraq. Designated as L134A1.: Used by USSOCOM.
See also
- Vektor Y3 AGLVektor Y3 AGLThe Y3 is a South African automatic grenade launcher manufactured by Denel Land Systems. It fires 40x53mm grenades at a rate of 280–320 rounds per minute.It can be vehicle mounted using a special bracket or used with a tripod....
- LAG 40 grenade launcher
- XM174 grenade launcherXM174 grenade launcherThe XM174 is a mounted automatic 40mm grenade launcher heavily based on the M1919A4 machine gun and the M79 grenade launcher but fed from an ammo can...
- AGS-30AGS-30The AGS-30 is a Russian-designed automatic grenade launcher currently in production in the Russian Federation and in service with the Russian armed forces.-Description:...
- Mk 19 grenade launcherMk 19 grenade launcherThe Mk 19 Grenade Launcher is a 40 mm belt-fed automatic grenade launcher or grenade machine gun that entered U.S. military service during the Cold War, first seeing action during the Vietnam War and remaining in service today.-Overview:...
- Mk 47 Mod 0 Striker
- XM307 ACSW
External links
- Official page
- HKPro The 40 mm GMG