Читать книгу Practical Guide to the Operational Use of the MK19 MOD3 Grenade Launcher - Erik Lawrence - Страница 4
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Introduction
The objective of this manual is to allow the reader to be able to use the MK19, Mod 3 Automatic Grenade Launcher competently. The manual will give the reader background/specifications of the weapon, instructions on its operation, disassembly and assembly; proper firing procedure; and malfunction/misfire procedures. Operator level maintenance will also be detailed to allow the reader to understand and become competent in the use and maintenance of the MK19, Mod 3 Grenade Launcher.
Description
The MK19 is an air-cooled, blowback-operated machine gun with five major assemblies. A disintegrating metallic link belt feeds ammunition through the left side of the weapon.
The MK19 supports the soldier in both the offense and defense. It gives the unit the capability of laying down a heavy volume of close, accurate, and continuous fire. The MK19 can also:
•Protect motor movements, assembly areas, and in a bivouac.
•Defend against hovering rotary aircraft.
•Destroy lightly armored vehicles.
•Fire on suspected enemy positions.
•Provide high volumes of fire into an engagement area (EA).
•Cover obstacles.
•Provide indirect fire from defilade positions.
Figure 1-1 MK19 Mod 3
MK19 TECHNICAL DATA
| MK19 (MOD 3): | |
| Weight without feed throat | 77.6 pounds |
| Weight with feed throat | 78.0 pounds |
| Length | 43.1 inches |
| Width | 14.0 inches |
| Height | 8.8 inches |
| MK 64 (MOD 7) gun cradle: | |
| Weight | 21.0 pounds |
| Length | 17.5 inches |
| Height | 9.5 inches |
| Tripod (M3) weight: | 44.00 pounds |
| Gun and cradle: | Weight without feed throat - 98.6 pounds |
| Weight with feed throat - 99.0 pounds | |
| Gun, cradle, and tripod: | Weight without feed throat - 142.6 pounds |
| Weight with feed throat - 143.0 pounds | |
| Ammunition: | M430 (HEDP) |
| M383 (HE) | |
| M918 (TP) | |
| M922 (DUMMY) |
| Mounts: | M3 tripod |
| M4 pedestal | |
| M66 ring M918 (TP) | |
| HMMWV weapon platform M922 (dummy) | |
| M113 APC commander’s cupola | |
| MK 46 | |
| MK 93 Hydraulic |
NOTE: Keep the feed throat attached to the weapon
MK19 OPERATIONAL DATA
| Maximum range: | 2,212 meters |
| Maximum effective range: | 1,500 meters (point target) 2,212 meters (area target) |
| Rates of fire: | Sustained 40 rounds per minute Rapid 60 rounds per minute Cyclic 325 to 375 rounds per minute |
| Ammunition: | M430 HEDP 2-inch armor &15-meter casualty radius M383 HE 15-meter casualty radius |
| Service frequency: | 50,000 rounds |
| Elevation, tripod controlled: | 100 mils |
| Depression, tripod controlled: | 258 mils |
| Traverse, tripod controlled: | 800 mils (400 left plus 400 right) |
| Muzzle velocity (average): | 798 feet per second |
| Recoil forces (average): | 500 pounds |
| Angle of automatic fire: | 0 to 70 degrees elevation (automatic fire), based on mounting arrangements |
| Ammunition Weights: | 48 rounds in M548 metal container - 62 pounds 32 rounds in PA120 metal container - 42 pounds |
Background
Although the MK19 is a recent entry into the Army’s 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 firepower inspired the development of a self-powered 40mm machine gun called the MK19, MOD 0. This model was neither reliable nor safe enough for use as a military weapon system. 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 MK19 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 MK19, MOD 3, which the Army adopted in 1983. The Army now uses the MK19 within the tactical environment for defense, retrograde, patrolling, rear area security, urban operations, and special operations.
Figure 1-2 Early MK19 Mod 2 on riverine patrol in Vietnam
Variants
HK GMG: GRENADE MACHINE GUN
Figure 1-3 HK GMG
Caliber: 40 x 53mm High-velocity Grenade
Length: 46.5 inches/1180mm
Width: 8.9 inches/226mm
Height: 11inches/280mm
Weight unloaded: 62 pounds/29 Kg
Barrel length: 8.9 inches/226mm
The HK Grenade Machine Gun is presently being fielded with select U.S. Special Operations units, replacing the U.S. MK19 GMG. The HK GMG is available from series production at a unit cost well below the purchase cost of the MK19.
Its advanced features, excellent accuracy, operator-convertible feed direction and removable barrel, night-fighting capability with NVGs, and unmatched operator safety features are all unique hallmarks of the HK GMG.
The GMG uses an aluminum receiver for reduced weight and manufacturing costs. Other features include a fluted chamber for equal pressure on the cartridge case and positive extraction and ejection, advanced primer ignition, and a barrel that is easily removable for field stripping, with the use of tools. This feature is also an advantage in the event that a high-explosive projectile becomes lodged in the bore.
The bolt reciprocates on a massive guide rod and is stabilized by two steel rails, all of which are bolted to the receiver, eliminating the need for welding in the receiver.
The gun mounts on the standard U.S. tripod, on various vehicle mounts, or on an aluminum multi-purpose tripod that provides assorted high-slow firing positions. An adjustable stabilizing shoulder rod is mounted to the receiver for additional controllability during free gun firing.
Clearing the gun consists of simply lifting the feed tray cover and removing the belt. The position of the ambidextrous charging handle allows the shooter to cock and clear the gun without reaching near the ammunition belt and feed way.
Both the gun and the tripod can be easily transported in a "backpack" configuration by a two-man team.
AGS-17
Figure 1-4 AGS-17
Designation: ASG-17 “Plamya” (Flame)
Type: Automatic Grenade Launcher
Country of origin: Soviet Union
Operation: Belt-fed Automatic Action
Caliber: 30mm
Service year: 1975
Overall length: 33 inches/840 mm
Weight (loaded): 39.6 pounds/18 kg
Rate of fire: 65 rounds per minute
Rounds: 29 round belt magazine
Range: 1600 meters
The ASG-17 “Plamya” (Flame) is a belt-fed automatic action, automatic grenade launcher produced by NA. It is chambered to fire 30 mm ammunition and was first produced in 1975.
The AGS-17 is a heavy infantry support weapon designed to operate from a tripod or mounted on an installation or vehicle. The AGS-17 fires a steady rate of 30mm grenades in either direct or indirect fire modes to provide suppressive and lethal fire support against soft-skinned targets or fortifications targets.
The weapon operates using a blowback mechanism to sustain operation. Rounds are fired through a rifled barrel, which is removable quickly to reduce barrel stress.
Ammunition is held in a metal box feed and is linked. Standard boxes contain 29 rounds of linked ammunition.
The tripod is equipped with fine-leveling equipment for indirect fire trajectories.
