Army buys 18,000 new M320 Grenade Launchers

The Army announced today that it has awarded a $38.5M contract to German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch for the production of 18,000 40mm M320A1 Grenade Launchers.  The M320 is the replacement for the venerable M203 grenade launcher, first fielded as an experimental system during the Vietnam War, and novel because it was the only technology spun out of the Special Purpose Individual Weapon (SPIW) flechette-grenade launcher program to go into production.

The M203 mounted on a USMC M203.This represents a long term commitment by the Army to 40mm grenades, something that was very much in question ten years ago when the airbursting Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW) was still in development, and programmed at least to replace all of the M203s in the formation if not all the rifles and other supporting arms.  Even with the XM25 program still chugging along, it doesn't look like 25mm airburst will displace 40mm grenades any time soon.

The M320 mounted on an M4 carbine.I was involved in the development of the requirement for the Grenade Launcher Module (GLM) that became M320, so it is rewarding to see this hit full production.  In 2004 it was clear M203s were wearing out at an accelerated rate, and worn weapons were starting to see problems with their safety mechanisms, resulting in some inadvertant discharges in theater.  In addition, as the tempo in Iraq slowed down, units were finding that they did not use their 40mm as much, but still needed to lug the weapon around all of the time.  Some units got Vietnam-era M79 grenade launchers out of storage, but this still wasn't ideal, as when you needed it you were then carrying two weapons (I won't even comment on the USMC decision to buy 200 of the heavier, six-shot M32 MGLs for their grenadiers.)

The idea behind the GLM was to let the soldier make the decision when he needed the grenade launcher, and where.  If needed, he could attach it under the M4.  If it wasn't needed, he could detach it, and leave it it the arms room, or carry it in his rucksack.  If some other part of the mission needed the GLM -- like a stand alone support position, or for non-lethal munition use -- the weapon could be passed off to another operator without having to have an individually zeroed rifle go with it.  In addition, the requirement was to have the GLM come with a night sight (the M203 didn't have one), and for the GLM to be able to take longer rounds (the M203 has a limited opening for grenades, so it could not take longer munitions then in development).

The M320 in stand-alone mode.Three weapon manufacturers competed for the GLM requirement, and HK won with what became the M320 (now apparently M320A1).  Having fired it in both configurations, I'd say it is easier to use, and more accurate, than the M203 it replaces -- though I felt then that the night sight was a weak point that needed future improvement, which hopefully it is getting.

The M320 first fielded to the 82d Airborne Division in the summer of 2009.  I'm not sure how many have fielded since, but as this contract award is for 18,000 weapons and as I recall the requirement for the total Army (Active, Guard, Reserve) is about 35,000 grenade launchers it would seem we're more than halfway there with this contrct.  Of interest is that this contract includes a requirement for a technical data package, indicating that any future contracts could be competed openly -- if there is any requirement left to fill by that point.