Mk 18 Mod 0 grenade launcher
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Mk 18 Mod 0 grenade launcher | |
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Type | Grenade launcher |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
In service | 1960s - 1970s |
Used by | United States Navy |
Wars | Vietnam War |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Honeywell Corporation and Aeronautical Products Division |
No. built | 1200 |
Specifications | |
Crew | 2 |
Cartridge | 40 x 46 mm grenade |
Caliber | 40mm |
Barrels | 1 |
Action | Hand cranked, manual reloading |
Rate of fire | 250 rounds per minute |
Effective firing range | 2200 yards |
Feed system | Belt |
Sights | Iron sights |
The Mk 18 Mod 0 was a 40x46mm grenade launcher used by the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and also the last known hand crank operated firearm since the Gatling gun. It was replaced by the Mk 19 grenade launcher in service with the United States Armed Forces.
Design[]
This weapon is a manually-operated, belt-fed. The use of a split breech mechanism allowed the weapon to be light and simple.
Employment[]
The Mark 18 was used primarily on small boats or in fixed positions such as bunkers; their primary users were the so-called "" and the SEALs. They could be mounted on M2HB, M60, M1919 tripods, or pintle mounts, but could not be fired without such a mount.[citation needed]
Armored Troop Carrier (LCM)s of the Mobile Riverine Force usually mounted two Mk 18s.[1]
See also[]
- Comparison of automatic grenade launchers
References[]
- ^ Sherwood, John (2015). War in the Shallows: U.S. Navy and Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam 1965-8. Naval History and Heritage Command. p. 176. ISBN 9780945274773. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- Automatic grenade launchers
- 40×46mm grenade launchers
- Grenade launchers of the United States
- Military equipment introduced in the 1960s