XM174 grenade launcher
| XM174 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Automatic Grenade Launcher |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | US Army/USMC, USAF |
| Wars | Vietnam War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1968 |
| Manufacturer | Aerojet Ordnance Manufacturing Company |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7.25 kg |
| Length | 712 mm |
| Cartridge | 40x46 mm |
| Action | Recoil |
| Rate of fire | 350RPM |
| Feed system | 12 Round Drum Magazine |
| Sights | Iron |
The XM174 is a mounted automatic 40mm grenade launcher heavily based on the M1919A4 machine gun and the M79 grenade launcher but fed from an ammo can. It was used in the Vietnam War as a tripod mounted crew-served weapon and as a weapon mounted on various vehicles and aircraft.
The ammunition canister held 12 40mm rounds, and the automatic launcher's rate of fire permitted all 12 rounds to be in the air before the first round landed. The launcher was also capable of semi-automatic fire (one round per pull of the trigger).
U.S. Air Force Security Police personnel in Vietnam were also issued the XM174 automatic grenade launcher which was often used on perimeter defense posts and heavy weapons vehicles.
See also
References
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