Cookie Consent by Privacy Policies Generator

Heckler & Koch GMG



Introduction


H&K GMG

Forward side view of GMG automatic grenade launcher on a tripod.
Source: Anderle - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

Origin
Germany
Type
Automatic grenade launcher
Entered service
Late 1990's
Status
In service
Development
1992 - 1995
Developer
Germany - Heckler & Koch
Production
1995 - present
Producer
Germany - Heckler & Koch
Canada - Rheinmetall Canada
Greece - EBO
Designations
GMG / Granatmaschinengewehr
German for "grenade machine gun"
GraMaWa / Granatmaschinenwaffe
German for "grenade machine weapon"
C16 Close Area Suppression Weapon (Canadian service)
L134A1 (UK service)
40 KrKK 2005 (Finnish service)

Description


Introduction

The GMG is a modern automatic grenade launcher of German origin. It was developed by Heckler & Koch as a private venture in the early 1990's. GMG stands for "Granatmaschinengewehr", which is German for "Grenade Machine Gun".

Design

The GMG uses blowback operation with advanced primer ignition, a method used in the original US Mk 19 but omitted in later models. It is a belt fed weapon that feeds from left to right. Iron sights are fitted, although usually a reflex or night vision sight is attached. The GMG can be used on a tripod but is usually vehicle mounted.

Firepower

The GMG fires 40x53mm high velocity grenades from belts, mostly of 32 rounds. The GMG is a select-fire weapon with a cyclic rate of fire of 350 rpm. The maximum range is 2.2 km, but the effective range is 1.5 km. The standard HEDP grenades have a lethal radius of 5 m, wounding radius of 15 m and will pierce the armor of most light armored vehicles.

Users

The first user for the GMG was the German army, which uses it on a variety of vehicles such as the Fennek and Dingo. The GMG has been sold to a variety of European nations and the US Special Forces.

Variants


H&K GMG

Right side view of GMG automatic grenade launcher on a tripod.
Source: Heckler & Koch - © copyright lies with original owner

Variants of the GMG

GMG: The GMG is an automatic grenade launcher that fires 40x53mm high velocity rounds. This standard GMG model is the most common version.

GMW: For infantry use on a tripod a lighter model was developed. This is known as the GMG light or GMW, which stands for "Granatmaschinenwaffe". The GMW lacks a muzzle attachment, soft mount ability and ammunition box bracket.

Details


Facts GMG
General
Origin
Germany
Type
Automatic grenade launcher
Caliber
Caliber
40x53mm NATO
Feed system
Belt fed, 32 round belts
Barrel length
415 mm
Muzzle velocity
241 m/s
Operation
Action
Blowback with advanced primer ignition
Fire selector
0 - 1 - F
Rate of fire
350 rpm
Dimensions
Length
1.18 m
Width
140 mm to 226 mm max
Height
208 mm
Weight
28.8 kg gun only
10.7 kg tripod
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, 100 to 1.500 m gradations
Optics
Reflex or night vision sight

Related articles


Mk 19 MOD 3

The GMG was developed for the same role as the widely used American Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher.