| Mk 47 grenade launcher | |
|---|---|
 An Mk 47 being tested at Camp Lejeune in 2002. | |
| Type | Automatic grenade launcher |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2006–present |
| Used by | United States Special Operations Command |
| Wars | Operation Enduring Freedom |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane |
| Designed | 2000s |
| Manufacturer | General Dynamics - Armament and Technical Products |
| Produced | 2004–present |
| Variants | Mk47 Mod 0, Mk47 Mod 1 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Gun: 39.6 pounds (18.0 kg) |
| Length | 37 inches (940 mm) |
| Barrel length | 24.02 inches (610 mm) |
| Width | 10.04 inches (255 mm) |
| Height | 8.07 inches (205 mm) |
|
| |
| Cartridge | 40×53mm |
| Action | Short-recoil[1] |
| Feed system | Belt |
| Sights | AN/PAS-13 Heavy Thermal Weapon Sight, by Raytheon |
The Mk 47 Mod 0 or Striker 40[2] is a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher with an integrated fire control system, capable of launching smart programmable 40 mm shells in addition to various unguided rounds.
Design[]
In addition to being able to fire traditional grenades like the Mk 19 grenade launcher, it can fire smart grenades that can be programmed to air burst after a set distance. A computerized sight allows the user to set this distance.
The model is currently being evaluated by the United States armed forces. It is currently in combat use by some United States special operations forces in Afghanistan.[3] As of 2012 the Mk 47 is also fielded by the Israel Defense Forces, replacing the Mk 19 currently in service.[4]
Program timeline[]
- July 2006: General Dynamics awarded $23 million contract for Mk 47 production.[5]
- February 2009: General Dynamics awarded $12 million contract for Mk 47 production.[6]
- October 2010: US Army awarded a $25 million contract for Mk 47 production, for a foreign military sale.[7]
See also[]
- LAG 40 grenade launcher: automatic grenade launcher used by Spain.
- Vektor Y3 AGL: automatic grenade launcher used by South Africa.
- Heckler & Koch GMG: A 40mm automatic grenade launcher used by the German Army and other European armed forces.
- XM174 grenade launcher
- XM307 (ACSW): crew-served 25 mm autocannon
- XM25 CDTE: 25 mm airburst personal weapon
- Comparison of automatic grenade launchers
References[]
- ↑ Defense Industry Daily
- ↑ "Striker40 - 40mm Grenade Machine Gun - General Dynamics". http://www.gdatp.com/products/Gun_Systems/MK47/MK47.htm.
- ↑ "Mk 47 Striker - AUSA". http://www.ausa.org/webpub/DeptArmyMagazine.nsf/byid/KGRG-6CUQGT.
- ↑ IDF Ground Forces introduce new high-tech weapons Date: 26/01/2012, Author: Bamahane Magazine
- ↑ General Dynamics Awarded $23 Million Contract for MK47 'STRIKER40' Weapon Systems - GDATP press release
- ↑ General Dynamics Awarded $12 million contract for MK 47 production - DID article
- ↑ "General Dynamics Awarded $25 Million by U.S. Army to Produce MK47 Weapon Systems". http://www.defpro.com/news/details/18403/. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
External links[]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mk 47 Striker. |
- "MK47 Mod 0 40mm weapon system gun". gdatp.com - factsheet. General Dynamics: Armament and Technical Systems. 2012. http://www.gdatp.com/factsheets/A047_MK47.pdf. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- Lambrecht, Dennis (18 May 2006). "ALGL Overview". dtic.mil - PowerPoint slide. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane. http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006smallarms/lambrecht.pdf. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
- Defense-update.com Article on Mk-47
- Mk 47 Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher - Global Security
- Modern Firearms
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The original article can be found at Mk 47 Striker and the edit history here.