BREAKING NEWS
The MKE 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher is a heavy, belt-fed automatic grenade launcher engineered to provide sustained and high-volume fire support at company and battalion levels. Positioned doctrinally between heavy machine guns and mortars, this class of weapon fills a critical capability gap by combining high explosive area effect with relatively direct fire control.
Operational Purpose and Role
The system is primarily designed for:
With its fragmentation effect and high-explosive payload, the 40 mm grenade creates a lethal radius significantly larger than conventional small-arms ammunition, providing force multiplication at the tactical level.
Doctrine and Concept of Employment
The MKE 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher can be deployed in several configurations:
The system is compatible with the MK 64 gun cradle and M3 tripod, enabling stable firing and improved accuracy. Its ballistic trajectory allows both direct and semi-indirect fire, making it particularly effective against targets behind cover or terrain masking.
System Architecture
The launcher system consists of:
It features left-side ammunition feeding and is compatible with high-velocity 40x53 mm ammunition. Publicly available information does not specify advanced fire-control integration such as programmable airburst capability; such capabilities, if available, are not disclosed in open sources.
Performance and Engagement Characteristics
The cyclic rate reflects mechanical capability, whereas sustained and burst rates represent operational limitations to prevent overheating and excessive barrel wear.
The system’s ballistic profile allows engagement of both visible and partially concealed targets, with high explosive rounds delivering fragmentation effects across a broad impact area.
Survivability and Environmental Reliability
The weapon has been tested in environmental conditions ranging from -31°C to +63°C. This temperature tolerance indicates suitability for cold-weather, desert, and temperate operations.
Detailed Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) data and advanced reliability metrics are not publicly available.
Advantages and Limitations in Modern Threat Environment
Advantages:
Limitations:
Detailed Technical Specifications
Dimensions and Weight
Performance Characteristics
Ammunition
Compatible ammunition types:
HEDP rounds provide both fragmentation and light armor penetration capability.
Publicly available information does not confirm programmable or airburst munition compatibility.
Command and Control Integration
No publicly disclosed data confirms network-centric or digital fire-control system integration.
Deployment and Logistics
Due to its total weight of 62.5 kg, the system is typically operated by a 2–3 person crew, although official personnel requirements are not publicly specified.
Tripod configuration supports static defense. Vehicle integration enhances mobility and rapid repositioning capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MKE 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher used for?
What is its maximum range?
What targets can it engage?
How many rounds per minute can it fire?
Is it mobile or static?
Is it NATO compatible?
What are its international equivalents?
Sources