Powered by MOMENTUM MEDIA
defence connect logo

Powered by MOMENTUMMEDIA

Powered by MOMENTUMMEDIA

Marines order 40mm practice munitions from Rheinmetall

usmc  mm mk   grenade launcher
US Marines doing high-angle fire training with a Mark 19 40 mm grenade launcher at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria (Source US Marine Corps)

The US Marines have contracted Rheinmetall to produce and deliver 40mm practice munitions. 

The US Marines have contracted Rheinmetall to produce and deliver 40mm practice munitions. 

The ammunition, specifically the 40mm x 53 MK281 MOD3 High Velocity Practice Day/Night Marking Cartridge, will be produced in Camden, Arkansas and shipped from American Rheinmetall Munitions (ARM), a Rheinmetall subsidiary based in Stafford, Virginia.

Total order volume amounts to US$59 million. Now booked, the initial order volume is worth US$25 million. Production will commence no later than the third quarter of 2019; annual delivery volume is expected to be as high as 700,000 cartridges. 

Rheinmetall‘s MK281 is a non-dud producing, non-toxic training cartridge fired from a MK19 machine gun. The cartridges use unique target marking technologies that enable both day and night training.

The MK281 design reduces customer costs by eliminating unexploded ordnance and range fires. Furthermore, it permits users to practice fire-and-manoeuvre operations in a safe, dud-free environment.

ARM has been producing and supplying high-performance practice and service ammunition for American military and law enforcement customers for over a decade.

Stephen Kuper

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.