XM320
Encyclopedia
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
.for the US Army, while other services use older M203
. The M320 uses the same High-Low Propulsion System
.
(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.
, Inc and a hand held Laser Range Finder (LRF). Some of the benefits are:
Single-shot
Single-shot firearms are firearms that hold only a single round of ammunition, and must be reloaded after each shot. The history of firearms began with single-shot designs, and many centuries passed before multi-shot designs became commonplace...
40 mm 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....
system to replace the M203
M203 grenade launcher
The M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
.for the US Army, while other services use older M203
M203 grenade launcher
The M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
. The M320 uses the same High-Low Propulsion System
High-Low System
The High-Low system also referred to as the "High-Low Pressure system", the "High-Low Propulsion System", and the "High-Low projection system", is a design of cannon and antitank launcher using a smaller high-pressure chamber for storing the propellant...
.
(US Army) at Picatinny Arsenal
Picatinny Arsenal
The Picatinny Arsenal is an American military research and manufacturing facility located on a lot in northern New Jersey near Lake Denmark. The Arsenal is the headquarters of the United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center...
conducted a competitive bidding process for a new 40 mm grenade launching system, 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...
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
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
by the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
Overview
The M320 has three major parts: a grenade launcher, Day/Night Sight (DNS) produced by Insight TechnologyInsight Technology
Insight Technology, Inc. is an optical device manufacturer based in Londonderry, New Hampshire.Insight Technology builds firearm accessories such as tactical flashlights and laser aiming modules, for military and civilian markets...
, 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 M16M16 rifleThe M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
assault rifleAssault rifleAn assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
and the M4 CarbineM4 CarbineThe M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
, 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, smokeSmoke grenadeSmoke grenades are canister-type grenades used as ground-to-ground or ground-to-air signaling devices, target or landing zone marking devices, or as screening devices for unit movements. Smoke grenades are normally considered non-lethal, although incorrect use may cause death...
, 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 safetySafetySafety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be...
. 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.
See also
- KAC MasterkeyKAC MasterkeyThe Masterkey is a door breaching shotgun system manufactured by Knight's Armament Company.The Masterkey project was initiated during the 1980s to provide assault rifles with a potent built-in door breaching tool. Individual soldiers were often forced to carry a breaching shotgun in addition to...
- M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System
- Rifle grenadeRifle grenadeA rifle grenade is a grenade that uses a rifle-based launcher to permit a longer effective range than would be possible if the grenade was thrown by hand...
- Under-slung Grenade LauncherUnder-slung Grenade Launcher- Examples : M203 AG36 GP-25/30 wz. 1974 GL1/ M320...
- 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