The M320 can be used in two ways: it can be attached to the M16 assault rifle, M4 carbine, CAR-15 carbine, or other rifles, attaching under the barrel forward of the magazine, or it can be used dismounted with a stock attached as a stand-alone model. The M320 has three major parts: a grenade launcher with a rifled barrel, Day/Night Sight (DNS) produced by Insight Technology, Inc and a handheld Laser Range Finder (LRF). Following initial experiments, the Marines expect to issue 7,000 launchers between 20. In June 2017, Bravo Company, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion became the first U.S. The weapon was officially fielded in July 2009 at Fort Bragg by the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. The M320 entered production in November 2008.įielding of the M320 was planned to begin in February 2009, with 71,600 GLMs planned to phase out the M203 by 2015. 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 a stand-alone configuration, a feature the AG36 lacks). That’s not to say the M203 wasn’t a reliable. 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. Around 2008, the M320 was developed by Heckler & Koch to create a new grenade launcher to fill the design and functional gaps the M203 left behind. Heckler & Koch's submission was selected in May 2005.Īfter the U.S. It had to be able to fire all 40 mm low-velocity grenades, but be loaded from the breech to accept future longer projectiles. It had to be more reliable, ergonomic, accurate, and safer than the M203. Army announced a requirement for a commercial off-the-shelf 40 mm grenade launcher.
soldier fires an M320 grenade launcher at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Jan. 17 November 2010 TM 3-22.31 1-1 Chapter 1 Characteristics, Configurations, and Ammunition This chapter describes the characteristics, configurations, and ammunition for the M320 and M320A1 grenade launchers, and includes a brief explanation of how to mount the various accessories. 40 GL: This Singaporean grenade launcher may be used as standalone or under-barrel weapons. It fires a special 40×47 mm low-velocity grenade. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. Pallad: This Polish 40 mm grenade launcher is not only employed as a standalone weapon like the M79 but can also be fitted to a weapon as an under-barrel launcher like the M203. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of April 26, 2025. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received.
Capco LLC, Grand Junction, Colorado, was awarded a $33,600,571 firm-fixed-price contract for 40 mm M320 and 40 mm M320A1 grenade launchers.