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.
