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:

• Suppression of enemy personnel in open terrain
• Engagement of troops in defilade positions
• Neutralization of light armored vehicles using HEDP ammunition
• Convoy protection missions
• Base and perimeter defense
• Counter-insurgency and asymmetric warfare operations

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:

• Tripod-mounted static defensive role
• Vehicle-mounted configuration on tactical wheeled or armored platforms
• Integration into remote weapon stations (depending on platform compatibility)

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:

• Weapon body: 33 kg
• Cradle: 9.5 kg
• Tripod: 20 kg
• Total system weight: 62.5 kg

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

• Effective range: 1,500 m
• Maximum range: 2,500 m
• Muzzle velocity: 242 m/s
• Cyclic rate of fire: 325–375 rounds per minute
• Recommended sustained fire: 40 rounds per minute
• Recommended burst fire: 60 rounds per minute

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:

• High suppressive fire capability
• Large fragmentation effect
• Compatibility with dual-purpose ammunition
• Suitable for vehicle integration

Limitations:

• Total system weight requires crew operation
• No publicly confirmed programmable airburst capability
• Effectiveness against modern active protection systems depends on ammunition type

Detailed Technical Specifications

Dimensions and Weight

• Length: 1,097 mm
• Width: 340 mm
• Height: 225 mm
• Barrel length: 414 mm
• Rifling: 24 grooves
• Weapon weight: 33 kg
• Total system weight: 62.5 kg

Performance Characteristics

• Muzzle velocity: 242 m/s
• Cyclic rate: 325–375 rpm
• Sustained fire rate: 40 rpm
• Burst fire rate: 60 rpm
• Effective range: 1,500 m
• Maximum range: 2,500 m

Ammunition

Compatible ammunition types:

• HE (High Explosive)
• HEDP (High Explosive Dual Purpose)
• TP (Training Practice)

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

• Compatible with MK 64 gun mount
• Deployable on M3 tripod
• Potential vehicle-mounted 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?

• It provides high-volume suppressive fire and area denial capability for infantry and mechanized forces. It is especially effective against personnel concentrations and light armored targets.

What is its maximum range?

• The maximum range is 2,500 meters, while the effective combat range is 1,500 meters.

What targets can it engage?

• It is effective against personnel in open terrain, troops in defilade, lightly armored vehicles, and defensive positions.

How many rounds per minute can it fire?

• The cyclic rate is 325–375 rounds per minute. However, recommended sustained fire is 40 rounds per minute to preserve barrel life and prevent overheating.

Is it mobile or static?

• It can be deployed in both static tripod-mounted configurations and vehicle-mounted configurations.

Is it NATO compatible?

• The system uses 40x53 mm high-velocity ammunition, which corresponds to NATO standard high-velocity grenade rounds.

What are its international equivalents?

• Comparable systems include the U.S.-origin Mk19 automatic grenade launcher and other European 40 mm automatic grenade systems. The MKE system offers domestic production advantages and national supply chain independence.

Sources

• Official product materials from Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş.
• Publicly available MKE product brochures
• Defense industry exhibition materials
• Open-source defense publications