USMC MK19 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher, Camp Pendleton, California

The Mk 19 (Mark 19) 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher is an air-cooled, blowback-operated, belt-fed weapon system heavily utilized by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and other branches of the U.S. military. It delivers high-volume, devastating firepower against enemy personnel, unarmored vehicles, and light fortified positions. Anti-Personnel & Anti-Armor: The standard primary round is the M430A1 High-Explosive Dual-Purpose (HEDP) grenade. Upon impact, it can pierce up to 2 inches of rolled homogeneous armor while simultaneously producing a lethal fragmentation radius of about 15 meters against exposed troops. Tactical Mobility: Because of its heavy weight, the Mk 19 is rarely moved on foot for long distances. Marines typically mount it to vehicular platforms—such as Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), AAVs (Amphibious Assault Vehicles), and naval patrol craft—or deploy it on a heavy M3 tripod for fixed defensive positions.