Army to field new grenade launcher

[unhappycamper]

Army to field new grenade launcher
By Matthew Cox - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Nov 20, 2008 15:31:24 EST

The Army will begin replacing its Vietnam-era M203 40mm grenade launcher in February with one designed so soldiers can sight in on targets day and night.

Program Executive Office Soldier “type-classified” the new M320 40mm grenade launcher Nov. 6, a move that ends the weapon’s experimental status as the service moves toward issuing the first of more than 70,000 M320s to deploying combat troops.

“It is going to completely replace the 203s” in the Army’s active, National Guard and Reserve force, said Rich Audette, PEO Soldier’s deputy project manager for Soldier Weapons. “It’s the first time we will have a day-night capability with a grenade launcher.”

The M320 has a sighting system that will enable soldiers to shoot enemy targets around the clock out to 400 meters, unlike the M203 sight system, which is designed for day firing.

The Army has used the M203 since 1969 and has about 50,000 of them. Back-to-back combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken a harsh toll on the venerable launcher.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/army_grenade_112008w/%2e

[markbark]

1. Harsh Toll?

Back-to-back combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken a harsh toll on the venerable launcher.

... not to mention the guys wielding them.

--MAB