General Dynamics Mk 47 Striker AGL (Mk 47 Mod 0)

History of the General Dynamics Mk 47 Striker AGL (Mk 47 Mod 0)

The Mk 47 "Forward" is the successor to the American-made Mk 19 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL). The original Mk 19 was launched in 1968 and has since served in wartime, including operations in the Vietnam War (1955-1975), the Gulf War (1991) and the Lebanon War (2006), as well as U.S. involvement in Afghanistan (2001-present) and Iraq (2003-2011). The Mk 47 is designed to fire the same 40x53mm grenade projectile as the Mk 19, which includes a different warhead type to match the mission role. However, the Mk 47 extends its tactical value on the battlefield by supporting "smart" programmable airburst PPHE shells. Additionally, the Mk 47 was designed to be lighter than the Mk 19 (40 lbs vs.

77 lbs). Back in 2002, he underwent positive tests before entering service with select U.S. military special forces the fight was largely centered in Afghanistan.

At the time of writing (2014), only Israel is mentioned as a foreign operator of the Mk 47 Striker system.

Despite its age, the 40mm grenade is still considered a widely accepted shell ammunition in the West (Russia prefers the 30mm type). The original Vietnam War single-shot M79 "Bloop Tube" used this projectile, as did the long-life M203 Lower Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) and the legendary Mk 19 AGL currently in service around the world. However, the Mk 47 continued this trend with wider acceptance of the new 40x53mm shell type. Its programmable airburst is an evolution of the standard projectile shape, allowing the operator (with the help of an onboard computer) to calculate the location of the target and imprint it on the fired projectile.

The projectile then detonates in a pre-programmed area above or near the target - whether the target is hidden in a foxhole or behind a wall.

Despite its relatively manageable weight, the Mk 47 features a sturdy design with a large, boxy receiver that houses the weapon's key working parts. The feed takes place before the receiver mass along the left side of the system, and the eject port is on the right.

Projectiles are fed through a continuous belt fixed in a hardened casing. The barrel features a solid tubular design with no visible muzzle fittings. Airbursts are programmed through the AN/PWG-1 Lightweight Video Sight (LWVS) system coupled to the onboard ballistic computer. The Mk 47 also has a laser rangefinder built into its working unit to help improve accuracy at long range. The integrated sight also allows for low-light and night vision, and supports optional optics and sensors along part of the Picatinny rail.

The weapon is usually mounted on a sturdy tripod with the gunner sitting behind, but can also be mounted on vehicles, boats and helicopters like the Mk 19 series.

The total weight of the Mk 47 gun is 40 lbs, while the entire system (gun, mount and tripod) weighs 90 lbs. The overall length is 37 inches and the barrel length is 24 inches. Operators can achieve fire rates of up to 60 rounds per minute (300 rpm cycles).

To date (2014), the manufacturer General Dynamics has been awarded several Mk 47-related production contracts.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes