The US Army is preparing to enhance the MK19 grenade launcher with new munitions engineered to defeat small unmanned aerial systems.
The US Army is preparing to enhance the MK19 grenade launcher with new munitions engineered to defeat small unmanned aerial systems.
The move reflects a broader surge in counter-drone programs across the West, shaped by operational insights from the conflict in Ukraine.
A cornerstone initiative request is expected in the coming days by the service for a 40mm counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capability.
The project centers on incorporating sensing-fuze technology into programmable air-burst rounds for the MK19 to deliver a system-level capability against small UAS threats.
The technology uses integrated sensors to detect the presence and proximity of a target without requiring physical contact, enabling detonation at the optimal distance to maximize effectiveness.
“This necessitates the development of a fully integrated system encompassing detection, tracking, targeting, and defeat functionalities, crucially including seamless integration with existing weapon platforms, fire control systems, and remote weapon stations,” a US Army solicitation explained.
MK19 Grenade Launcher
Originally developed during the Vietnam War, the MK19 is a belt-fed, automatic 40mm grenade launcher with a cyclic rate of 325 to 375 rounds per minute.
The system has a maximum firing range of 2,212 meters (7,257 feet), with an effective point-target range of roughly 1,500 meters (4,921 feet).
With a counter-drone cartridge, the MK19 is expected to provide a capability comparable to the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, which employs an L3Harris guidance and fuze kit to transform the Hydra 70 rocket into an affordable and combat-proven C-UAS solution.
The cornerstone initiative request, to be issued on or after November 25, will formally open the solicitation process.
Offers selected for evaluation will brief a government panel before entering a 48-month performance phase. A non-competitive award may be issued following a successful prototype.
