The MK19 Mod3 40mm Grenade Machine Gun was first developed by the Navy in the early 1960's. TACOM-ARDEC has since suggested modifications to this system which has enabled the Army to deploy the MK19 in the harsh environments encountered during world-wide operations and has therefore enhanced its performance. The MK19 firing rate is over 350 grenades per minute and it is effective to ranges of over 2200 meters. The system was deployed in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm and devastated enemy infantry. Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries
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 Replacement Cost: $13,758
Features: The MK19 40mm 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. Associated components are: MK64 Cradle Mount, MOD 5; M3 Tripod Mount; and the AN/TVS-5 Night Vision Sight. The MK19 also mounts in the up-gunned weapons station of the LVTP7A1 model of the AAV and vehicle ring mounts.
Background: Although the MK 19 is a recent entry into the Army guns inventory, development began in 1963. The first version was a hand-cranked multiple grenade launcher called the MK 18. In 1966, 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 1971 resulted in the 1972 MOD 1, of which only six were produced. The MOD 1 performed effectively in Navy riverine patrol craft, and broader applications for the MK 19 were found. In 1973, the Navy developed the MOD 2, which featured improved reliability, safety and maintainability. In 1976, a complete redesign resulted in the MK 19 MOD 3, which the Army adopted in 1983. The Army will use the MK 19 within the tactical environment for defense, retrograde, patrolling, rear area security, MOUT, and special operations.
AMMUNITIONThe MK 19 fires six types of cartridges: M430I / M430A1 high-explosive dual-purpose grenades, M383 high-explosive grenade, M385I / M918 training practice, and M922/M922A1 dummy rounds.
M430/M430A1 High Explosive Dual Purpose Grenades
M383 High-Explosive Grenade M385/M918 Training Practice M922/M922A1 Dummy Rounds
| Weapon | Mount | Vehicle | Rqmt Estab (Y/N) |
Design Complete (Y/N) |
Test Complete (Y/N) |
Approved Safety Confirm (Y/N) |
Notes | References |
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK 64 MOD 9 | M992 FAASV | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Mod 7 mount becomes Mod 9 when UPA is fielded. | AMSTE-TM-S Memo dtd 22 Aug 96
AMSTE-TM-S Memo dtd 25 Jul 96 |
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK 64 MOD 7 | M113 SERIES | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
AMSTE-TA-R, DTD 26 JUL 89 | |
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK 64 MOD 7 w/40mm MPACB | M113 SERIES | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
AMSTE-TA-R, DTD 20 APR 92 | |
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK 64 MOD 7 | M106 SERIES | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
No incorporated T&E mech, free gunning prohibited, Mod 9 corrects deficiency | AMSTE-TA-R, DTD 26 JUL 89 |
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK 64 MOD 9 | M106 SERIES | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Mod 7 mount becomes Mod 9 when UPA is fielded. | AMSTE-TA-R, DTD 26 JUL 89 |
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK 64 MOD 7 | M998T (ISC) | Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
AMSTE-TA-R, DTD 26 JUL 89 | |
| MK 19 | MK 64 MOD 4 | RANGER SPEC OPS VEH | N |
Y |
Y |
N |
Requirement withdrawn DAMO-FDZ message dtd 2 Apr 89 | AMSTE-TA-R, 1 END, DTD 19 OCT 90 |
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK 64 MOD 7 | M1036 | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
AMSTE-TA-R, DTD 27 APR 89 (SAFE RELEASE) & AMSTE-TA-R, DTD 18 AUG 89 (SAFE RELEASE) & AMSTE-TA-R, DTD 20 JUN 90 (SAFETY CONFIRM) | |
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK64 | M1064 Mortar Carrier | Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Requirement added in 19 Apr 96 Mk 19 ROC | |
| MK 19 MOD 3 | M1(A1, A2) TANK | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently identified | ||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | M60 (A1, A2, A3) TANK | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently identified | ||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | ARMORED GUN SYSTEM | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently identified | ||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | M2/3 BRADLEY | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently identified | ||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | M577 COMMAND TRACK | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently identified | ||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK 64 MOD 7 | M88A1 REC VEH | Y |
Y |
Y |
N |
No incorporated T&E mech, free gunning prohibited, Mod 9 corrects deficiency | AMSTE-TA-R Memo dtd 26 Jul |
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MLRS | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently identified | ||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | M110 HOW (NG) | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently | ||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | PLS, TRK CGO | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently identified | ||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK 64 | M809 5T CGO | Y |
Y |
N |
N |
||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | MK 64 | M939 5T CGO | Y |
Y |
N |
N |
||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | M1008 CUCV | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently identified | ||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | XM1109 | |||||||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | M1114 | |||||||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | CH 47 HELICOPTER | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently identified | ||
| MK 19 MOD 3 | UH 60 HELICOPTER | N |
N |
N |
N |
No requirement currently |
