American Ordnance contracted for 40mm grenade training rounds

American Ordnance has received a $92.3 million contract modification for M918E1 40mm high velocity target practice grenade.

M918E1 40mm high velocity grenades are designed specifically for the Mk19 automatic grenade launcher. The Mk19 is designed for being mounted on tripods or on turrets of vehicles like the HMMWV, Joint LIght Tactical Vehicles and other systems.

"The new training rounds will allow Soldiers to get a better training capability than they have right now," said Christopher Seacord, Product Director -- Medium Caliber Ammunition for the U.S. Army's Program Executive Office Ammunition, said in a press release. "It's not that the existing training rounds don't do what they need to do--they meet training requirements. However, the Soldiers want to conduct fire and maneuvers during training, as opposed to training in a static position."

Training rounds use paint charges to mark where the rounds fall, allowing soldiers to observe and adjust fire.

The Mk19 has a maximum rate of fire of up to 40 rounds per minute using belted grenade ammunition and an effective range of over 1,500 yards.

It can also use standard low-velocity grenades like those used on the rifle-mounted M204 grenade launcher in belted form.

Typically, 40mm grenades are used in an anti-personnel role, but versions such as the High Explosive Dual Purpose can be used for targeting vehicles with light armor.

The Mk19 has been in service since 1968 and has seen action in U.S. wars ranging from Vietnam to Afghanistan. It has been widely exported and served in conflicts across the world.

Work will be performed in Middletown, Iowa, Bonaparte,Iowa, Mountainside, N.J., Lynchburg, Va., and other locations throughout the continental United States, with an estimated completion date of November 2020.

Army fiscal 2017 and 2018 procurement funds in the amount of $92.3 were obligated at the time of the award, the Department of Defense announced on Friday.

Related Links
The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

BAE receives contract for Bradley Fighting Vehicle upgrades
Washington (UPI) Sep 14, 2018
BAE Systems Land & Armaments has received a $91.2 million contract for eight Bradley Fighting Vehicle common module logic items for the U.S. Army. The contract, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, will last for five years with no options. Work will be performed in Alabama and California and is expected to be completed by July 2024. Army fiscal 2018 through 2023 working capital funds will be used for the program. The M2 Bradley is the primary tracked armored infantry fighting ... read more