Weapons: Haggling continues over LWAGL | ADM Sep 08

ADM understands that firing tests of the two lightweight automatic grenade launchers (LWAGL) proposed for the Land 40 Phase 2 requirement have been completed, a decision has yet to be made on the preferred system.

Tom Muir Canberra

Under Land 40 Phase 2 Defence is seeking to acquire a direct fire support weapon (DFSW) capability for each ARA infantry battalion (in addition to the Javelin DF Guided Missile system secured under Phase 1).

As part of this requirement an RFT was released last year for the provision of 60 Lightweight Automatic Grenade Launchers (LWAGL) with an option to subsequently purchase up to 90 additional units.

The successful contractor will need to provide up to 10 years support for the weapon systems.

The automatic grenade launcher, which has not been widely employed in the ADF, despite being a considerable weapon in its own right, is now likely to be adopted as the next, lower DFSW layer and issued to DFSW Platoons in manoeuvre support companies in all Regular Army infantry battalions.

Direct fire support is the essential element in the effective prosecution of close combat operations.

In the past there has been a lack of dedicated organic direct fire assets with the necessary range and effect to adequately support manoeuvre at infantry battalion and company group level.

A weakness exists in the current capability in that at the rifle company/combat team level, the principal systems are limited to small arms with an effective range of 400m.

To conduct effective close combat operations, direct fire weapon systems are required to neutralise, suppress or destroy designated targets to a range of at least 2000m.

This is to allow manoeuvre groups to close with the enemy in the assault, or to prevent the enemy from either closing with or standing off and engaging the company in defence.

Currently the Mk-19 Mod-3 automatic grenade launcher (AGL) a heavy (33 kg) but man-portable crew-served weapon, is in limited service with the ADF where it is employed by Special Forces.

It can be fired from a tripod but, due to its weight, it is more usually fired from a vehicle mount. In current service it is mounted on some ASLAVS and Perenties as alternatives to the M2A2 .50 cal heavy machine gun (which has a similar effective range).

The Mk 19 fires 40mm grenades at up to 375 rounds a minute, giving a rapid fire rate of 60 rounds a minute.

The weapon has a maximum range of 2000 metres and in addition to its anti-armour and anti-vehicle capabilities, it is especially lethal against enemy formations.

Shortlisted contenders

According to the RFT two short-listed tenderers were required to provide four LWAGL as tender samples, including documentation and familiarisation training, for purchase by Defence, to enable technical and user evaluation of the tendered systems during the tender evaluation period.

Our understanding is that Nioa Trading, offering the General Dynamics Mk-47 LAGL, and Point Trading, with the Heckler & Koch 40mm GMG, were shortlisted and that competitive firing trials have now been completed although a decision over the preferred system has yet to be made.

Rumour has it that while there is a slight preference for the Heckler & Koch GMG as a grenade launcher, there is some corresponding preference for the Mk47 fire control system over the GMG’s seemingly less sophisticated sighting system.

General Dynamics Mark 17 LAGL

The Mark 47 automatic grenade launcher is short recoil operated, locked breech weapon that fires from closed bolt for improved first-shot hit probability.

With a firing rate of 225 - 300 rpm the Mk-47 is claimed to achieve a 90 percent hit rate on the first round.

Weapon is air-cooled and belt fed, using standard disintegrating belts, as with the Mk 19 launcher.

The weapon is equipped with a newly developed tripod with traversing and elevation (T&E) mechanisms and a brake that allows the weapon to be locked on a pre-selected target spot.

A key feature of the Mk 17 system is the Raytheon Lightweight Video Sight (LVS) which offers 3X magnification TV view on target, combined with a laser range finder and ballistic computer.

The sight also has interface connectors that allow it to link it to optional thermal night sighting equipment which can be installed on the weapon.

Once the night sight is connected, the operator can select TV or thermal picture via the single button.

The LVS allows the operator to accurately measure the range to the target then aim the gun accurately for high first shot hit accuracy.

The LVS is installed on the right side of the weapon, and is controlled by the buttons and four-position joystick located at the rear of the receiver, between and above spade grips.

Heckler & Koch 40mm GMG

Heckler & Koch’s grenade machine gun (GMG) was developed for the German Army.

It fires 40mm grenades at a rate of about 360 rounds per minute.

The GMG is belt fed, and can be loaded from either side, making it ambidextrous.

With a variety of sights available (including night vision and infrared types) the GMG can be used for accurate, long range bombardments in a large number and types of situations.

The GMG is now in wide service in Europe and elsewhere including with US, UK and NZ forces.

Interestingly, US Special Forces partly replaced their Mk19s with GMGs.

In late 2006 the British MOD ordered an initial 40 GMGs to be fitted on Land Rovers used by the Royal Marines operating in Afghanistan.

The Dutch Army bought 18 as an operational requirement in 2006, and the Dutch Battlegroup in Afghanistan has received 11 GMGs.