Mk 18 Mod 0 grenade launcher

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Mk 18 Mod 0 grenade launcher
Mk 18 Mod 0 & Mk 20 Mod 0 Grenade Launchers at War Remnants Museum (Ho Chi Minh City).jpg
Mk 18 Mod 0 grenade launchers (right and on tripod) at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City.
Type Grenade launcher
Place of originFlag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States
Service history
In service1960s - 1970s
Used by United States Navy
Wars Vietnam War
Production history
Manufacturer Honeywell Corporation and Aeronautical Products Division
No. built1200
Specifications
Crew2

Cartridge 40 x 46 mm grenade
Caliber 40mm
Barrels1
Action Hand cranked, manual reloading
Rate of fire 250 rounds per minute
Maximum firing range375 metres
Feed system Belt
Sights Iron sights
A Mk 18 grenade launcher in use on a Patrol Craft Fast (on top of the dual .50 M2 Browning machine guns) Fast Patrol Craft PCF-38 on Cai Ngay canal 1970.jpg
A Mk 18 grenade launcher in use on a Patrol Craft Fast (on top of the dual .50 M2 Browning machine guns)

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.

Contents

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 "river rats" 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]

A Mk 18 grenade launcher (upper) displayed at Hanoi Weaponry Museum Mk18Vie.JPG
A Mk 18 grenade launcher (upper) displayed at Hanoi Weaponry Museum

See also

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References

  1. 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.PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .