View source for M320 Grenade Launcher Module

{{Redirect|M320|the opioid|M320 (opioid)}}
{{Update|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = M320 Grenade Launcher Module
| image              = PEO M320 Grenade Launcher.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = Standalone M320 with detachable buttstock
| origin             = Germany and United States
| type               = [[Grenade launcher]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
| is_bladed          = 
| is_explosive       = 
| is_artillery       = 
| is_vehicle         = <!-- Service history -->
| service            = 2009–present
| used_by            = See ''[[M320 Grenade Launcher Module#Users|Users]]''
| wars               = {{Plainlist|
* [[Internal conflict in Myanmar]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.militantwire.com/p/manufacturing-the-revolution-weapons|title=Manufacturing the Revolution: Weapons and Explosives Craft-Produced by Myanmar's Anti-Junta Fighters|publisher=Militant Wire|date=1 November 2022}}</ref>
* [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)]]
* [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
* [[Gaza war]]<ref name="Israel" />
}}
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = 
| design_date        = 2008
| manufacturer       = [[Heckler & Koch]]<br />Capco Inc.
| unit_cost          = US$3500<ref name="tfb5dec08">[http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2008/12/05/40mm-m320-grenade-launcher-will-be-replace-m203-next-year/ "40mm M320 grenade launcher will be replace M203 next year"]. Thefirearmblog.com, 5 December 2008.</ref>
| production_date    = 2008
| number             = 
| variants           = M320, M320A1
<!-- General specifications -->| weight             = 1.5&nbsp;kg (3.3 lb)
| length             = 350 mm (13.7 in.)
| part_length        = 280 mm (11 in.)
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge          = [[List of 40 mm grenades#40×46 mm LV (40 mm low velocity)|40×46mm SR]]
| action             = [[Single-shot]], [[Trigger (firearms)#Double-action|double-action]]
| rate               = 5 to 7 rounds per minute
| velocity           = {{convert|76|m/s|abbr=on}}
| range              = {{convert|150|m|abbr=on}} (point)<br />{{convert|350|m|abbr=on}} (area)
| max_range          = {{convert|400|m|abbr=on}}
| feed               = Single-shot 
| sights             = <!-- Artillery specifications -->
| breech             = 
| recoil             = 
| carriage           = 
| elevation          = 
| traverse           = <!-- Bladed weapon specifications -->
| blade_type         = 
| hilt_type          = 
| head_type          = 
| haft_type          = <!-- Explosive specifications -->
| diameter           = 
| filling            = 
| filling_weight     = 
| detonation         = 
| yield              = 
}}

'''M320 Grenade Launcher Module''' ('''GLM''') is the [[U.S. military]]'s designation for a new [[single-shot]] [[List of 40 mm grenades|40 mm]] [[grenade launcher]] system to replace the [[M203 grenade launcher|M203]]<ref name="ARMYMAG_01">{{cite web|url=http://www.ausa.org/webpub/DeptArmyMagazine.nsf/byid/KHYL-6L7MAD |title=XM320 Grenade Launcher Module And XM26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System |work=Army Magazine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208225101/http://www.ausa.org/webpub/DeptArmyMagazine.nsf/byid/KHYL-6L7MAD |archive-date=8 February 2006 }}</ref><ref>[https://peosoldier.army.mil/pmsw/index.asp "Product Manager Individual Weapons"]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222053610/https://peosoldier.army.mil/pmsw/index.asp |date=22 February 2008 }}</ref> for the [[U.S. Army]], while other services initially kept using the older M203. The M320 uses the same [[High–low system|High-Low Propulsion System]] as the M203. The M320 can be mounted on the M16 series of rifles, while the M320A1 can be mounted on the M4 series of carbines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PEO Soldier |url=https://www.peosoldier.army.mil/Equipment/Equipment-Portfolio/Project-Manager-Soldier-Lethality-Portfolio/M320-M320A1-Grenade-Launcher-Module/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=www.peosoldier.army.mil}}</ref>

==History==
In 2004, the Army announced a requirement for a [[commercial off-the-shelf]] 40&nbsp;mm grenade launcher. It had to be more reliable, ergonomic, accurate, and safer than the M203. It had to be able to fire all 40&nbsp;mm low-velocity grenades but be loaded from the breech to accept future longer projectiles. [[Heckler & Koch]]'s submission was selected in May 2005.<ref name="sadj">[http://sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=533&page=2 History of the Heckler & Koch 40mm Grenade Launcher] – SAdefensejournal.com, 24 August 2011</ref>

After the U.S. Army at [[Picatinny Arsenal]] conducted a competitive bidding process for a new 40&nbsp;mm grenade launching system, Heckler & Koch was awarded a contract to provide the XM320 beginning in 2006. The M320 was developed from but is not identical to the [[Heckler & Koch AG36]] (a key distinguishing feature being the addition of a folding foregrip ahead of the trigger for use when the weapon is in stand-alone configuration, a feature the AG36 lacks).<ref name="MODFIR">{{cite web|url=http://world.guns.ru/grenade/gl17-e.htm|title=AG36 / AG-C / EGLM / XM320 grenade launcher|publisher=Modern Firearms|access-date=14 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603121421/http://world.guns.ru/grenade/de/hk-ag36-ag-c-e.html|archive-date=3 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)">{{cite web|url=http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=329|title=Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)|work=MilitaryFactory}}</ref> The M320 entered production in November 2008.

Fielding of the M320 was planned to begin in February 2009, with 71,600 GLMs planned to phase out the M203 by 2015.<ref name="tfb5dec08"/> The weapon was officially fielded in July 2009 at [[Fort Liberty|Fort Bragg]] by the 1st Brigade Combat Team, [[82nd Airborne Division]].<ref name=bragg>MacLeod, Spc. Michael J. [http://www.military.com/news/article/army-news/bragg-gis-1st-to-field-grenade-launcher.html?ESRC=army.nl "Bragg GIs 1st to Field Grenade Launcher"]. [[Military.com]], 8 July 2009</ref> In June 2017, Bravo Company, [[2nd Combat Engineer Battalion]] became the first [[U.S. Marine Corps]] unit to be issued the M320.<ref>[http://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1208875/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new-marines-test-new-grenade-launcher-module/ Out with the old, in with the new: Marines test new grenade launcher module] – Marines.mil, 9 June 2017</ref> Following initial experiments, the Marines expect to issue 7,000 launchers between 2019 and 2022.<ref>[https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/articles/marine-corps-testing-upgraded-grenade-launcher Marine Corps testing upgraded grenade launcher] – MarineCorpstimes.com, 14 June 2017</ref> In the second quarter of fiscal year 2020, the M320A1 reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the [[U.S. Marine Corps]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marines test grenade launcher during fielding event |url=https://www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/2102978/marines-test-grenade-launcher-during-fielding-event/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Marine Corps Systems Command |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Design==
The M320 can be used in two ways. It can be attached to the [[M16 rifle|M16]] [[assault rifle]], ⁣[[M4 carbine]], or [[Heckler & Koch HK416|HK416]] by attaching to the [[picatinny rail]] under the [[Gun barrel|barrel]] forward of the [[Magazine (firearms)|magazine]], or it can be used in a stand-alone configuration with a stock attached.<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)" /> A grenadier carrying an M320 with an M4 and three dozen 40&nbsp;mm grenades will have a total weapon load of 38&nbsp;lb (17&nbsp;kg). [[File:PEO M320 on M4 Carbine.jpg|thumb|left|The M320 with AN/PSQ-18A on an [[M4 Carbine|M4 carbine]]]]
[[File:M320 Sights.jpg|left|thumb|M320A1 Leaf Sight]]
The M320 is based on the earlier [[Heckler & Koch AG-C/GLM|Heckler & Koch AG-C]], but with some Army-specific modifications. It includes a folding foregrip and shorter barrel for a more compact package. The [[sights]] had to be reconfigured to shoot accurately with the slightly different ballistics from the shorter barrel length. The system was supposed to be lighter than the M203 (it is actually slightly heavier) and does not require specific mounting hardware. Breech loading allows the grenadier to load a shell while keeping the sight on target.<ref name="sadj"/> It weighs {{convert|3.57|lb|kg|abbr=on}} in its base configuration and {{convert|4.8|lb|kg|abbr=on}} with the stock attached.<ref name="tfb5dec08"/> 

The sights on the M320 are located to the side of the launcher, avoiding the problems that the M203 had with its sight design, which is mounted on top of the launcher and could interfere with the rifle's sights, so they had to be attached separately. This meant two separate operations had to be performed when adding the grenade launcher to the weapon, and since the sights were not integral to the M203, they had to be re-zeroed every time the launcher was reattached to the rifle. The M320's leaf sight has ranges from 50 to 350 meters in 50 meter increments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-29 |title=M320/M320A1 Grenade Launcher PMI |url=https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/m320m320a1-grenade-launcher-pmi/69634635 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=SlideShare |language=en}}</ref> The M320 could also use the AN/PSQ-18A, which is an enhanced aiming device designed to enable rapid and precise fire in daylight, low light, and night conditions. The device has a built-in range scale, an integrated aiming illuminating laser, an anti-cant indicator, and a built-in iron backup sight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MARINE CORPS SYSTEM COMMAND |date=April 2010 |title=TM 8000-10/1D |url=https://info.publicintelligence.net/USMC-OrdnanceEquipment.pdf}}</ref> However, the sight was not well received by troops due to its weight and size.<ref>{{Cite web |last=C |first=Nicholas |date=2018-10-11 |title=PSQ-18 Grenade Launcher Sight – Night Vision IR Illuminator On a Budget |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/10/11/psq-18-grenade-launcher-sight-night-vision-ir-illuminator-on-a-budget/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=thefirearmblog.com |language=en}}</ref> 

To replace the AN/PSQ-18A, the [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marine Corps]] and [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] separately adopted their own advanced sighting systems tailored for their needs. The [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] fields the SU-277/PSQ Grenade Launcher Sight (GLS), which features a holographic red dot for improved aiming, integrated ballistic data for automatic adjustment based on ammunition, infrared aiming laser, and a compact, lightweight design.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zeroing in: 3rd Marine Regiment tests new sight |url=https://www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil/News/News-Article-Display/Article/509584/zeroing-in-3rd-marine-regiment-tests-new-sight/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Marine Corps Systems Command |language=en-US}}</ref> While, the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] utilizes the Wilcox Grenadier Sighting System (GSS), a day/night sighting solution designed for both under-barrel and stand-alone configurations of the M320. Selected in 2019 after years of development and testing, the GSS incorporates a reflex optical sight with integral backup iron sights, a near-infrared (NIR) aiming laser for night engagements, and an NIR illuminator for increased target recognition and identification. It provides aiming references that correspond to ballistic ranges and features user-selectable ballistic solutions, including a quick selector for two pre-programmed ammunition profiles. Advanced sensors for temperature and pressure enable precise ballistic compensation, while an indicator for left or right tilt, also known as cant, further improves accuracy during firing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GSS • Wilcox Industries |url=https://wilcoxind.com/products/combat-systems/fire-control-systems/product_combat_gss |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=wilcoxind.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=News • Wilcox Industries |url=https://wilcoxind.com/news/articles/development-of-the-gss-part-1 |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=wilcoxind.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PEO Soldier |url=https://www.peosoldier.army.mil/Equipment/Equipment-Portfolio/Project-Manager-Soldier-Lethality-Portfolio/M320-M320A1-Grenade-Launcher-Module/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=www.peosoldier.army.mil}}</ref><gallery mode="packed" widths="430" heights="215">
File:USMC M320.jpg|M320A1 with SU-277/PSQ GLS
File:M320 with SU-277 GLS.jpg|M320A1 with GLS and leaf sight
File:Wilcox GSS Standalone.jpg|M320A1 with Wilcox GSS
File:M320 GSS underslung.jpg|Underslung M320A1 with GSS
</gallery>The M320 can fire all NATO [[high-explosive]], [[Smoke grenade|smoke]], and illumination grenades. Its breech opens to the side, allowing it to fire a variety of newer rounds which are longer, in particular certain [[Non-lethal weapon|non-lethal]] rounds, such as Federal Laboratories' "exact impact" (brand name) non-lethal sponge batons or [[sponge grenade]]s.<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/> The M320 operates in [[Trigger (firearms)#Double action|double-action]] mode, with an ambidextrous [[safety (firearms)|safety]]. In case of misfire, the M320 operator merely has to pull the trigger again. The M203 used a [[single-action]] mode, which cocks the weapon as the barrel is opened. The M203 operator has to open the barrel by unlocking it and pushing forward to cock the weapon and then re-close the barrel, then pull the trigger again. The problem with this is that in opening the barrel, the grenade is designed to eject and the operator must ensure that it does not fall to the ground.

The M320 is one of two 40&nbsp;mm grenade launchers capable of firing [[Pike (munition)|Pike Missile]] (developed by [[Raytheon]]) without modification—the other being the [[FN SCAR#Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module|FN EGLM]] (Enhanced Grenade Launching Module) developed for the [[FN SCAR]].

Nonetheless, the weapon's introduction was not without criticism:
* Soldiers complained about switching from the simple, more streamlined M203 to one with more sophisticated attachments (although this could be attributed simply to the change from a long-standing "tried and true" system to a new one).  Complaints ranged from the forward grip and sighting system, the pistol grip handle catching on things, and the side loading mechanism. They even criticized its ability to act as a stand-alone launcher, a feature included in response to troops re-acquiring [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]]-era [[M79 grenade launcher]]s that supposedly gave better accuracy when fired from the shoulder than if slung under a rifle, although the collapsible stock is somewhat short for the task.<ref>[http://kitup.military.com/2010/05/soldiers-perspective-the-m320-grenade-launcher.html Soldiers’ Perspective: The M320 Grenade Launcher] – Kitup.Military.com, 28 May 2010</ref>

[[File:Soldier shooting M320.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A U.S. Army soldier training with an M320 mounted on an M4 carbine]]

* The M320 has the ability to fire detached from a rifle. Soldiers have reported difficulties carrying it unmounted, as its one-point sling does not hold it securely. Carrying by the sling would cause it to bounce around and sometimes be dragged through dirt. Soldiers wanted to carry the M320 in a [[holster]] to provide protection, rather than just putting it in their rucksack. The [[Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center|Natick Soldier Systems Center]] began the M320GL Holster Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP) in November 2012. Three commercial vendors produced 167 holsters each. The SEP used the "buy-try-decide" concept, which allows the Army to test the functionality of equipment without spending much time on research and development. Soldiers from the [[75th Ranger Regiment]] were given a dozen holsters and went through standardized tests in mid-May 2013, after which they filled out surveys. The next step was to test them with an entire [[brigade]]. As of July 2013, the holsters were being evaluated by soldiers in Afghanistan. Project officials were to make a recommendation to [[Fort Benning]] by the beginning of fiscal year 2014.<ref>[https://www.army.mil/article/107396/Natick_develops_holster_for_M320_grenade_launcher/ Natick develops holster for M320 grenade launcher] – Army.mil, 25 July 2013</ref>

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

* [[File:M320 GSS.jpg|thumb|U.S. Army infantryman with an M320A1 underslung on an M4A1 carbine, equipped with a Grenadier Sighting System (GSS)]][[File:MRF-D 24 3- Marines prepare for live-fire defense during Exercise Southern Jackaroo 24 (8485543).jpg|thumb|U.S. Marine infantrymen firing M320A1 grenade launchers equipped with the SU-277/PSQ Grenade Launcher Sight (GLS)]]{{flag|Canada}}<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/>
* {{flag|Germany}}<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/>
* {{flag|Kosovo}}<ref
name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/>
* {{flag|Hungary}}<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/>
* {{flag|Israel}}<ref name="Israel">{{cite web |title=x.com |url=https://x.com/IdfOsint/status/1798748745800221132 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}}</ref>
* {{flag|Malaysia}}<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/>
* {{flag|Netherlands}}<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/>
* {{flag|Norway}}<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/>
* {{flag|Philippines}}<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/>
* {{flag|Thailand}}<ref name="ยุทโธปกรณ์ในกองทัพบกไทย">{{cite web|url=https://thaiarmedforce.com/ยุทโธปกรณ์ในกองทัพบกไท/|title= ยุทโธปกรณ์ในกองทัพบกไทย|date= 2 May 2019}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ukraine}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/en/news/the-ukrainian-servicemen-started-using-the-m320-grenade-launchers/|title=The Ukrainian servicemen started using the M320 grenade launchers|date=May 24, 2022}}</ref>
** [[Ukrainian Ground Forces]]
** [[Ukrainian Marine Corps]]
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/>
* {{flag|United States}}<ref name="Heckler & Koch M320 GLM (HK AG36) 40mm Single-Shot Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) (2010)"/>
**[[United States Army]] 
**[[United States Marine Corps]] 
**[[United States Air Force]]

===Non-State Actors===
* {{flagicon image|Kachin Independence Army flag.svg}} [[Kachin Independence Army]]: Uses the KA-0024, a clone of the M320.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.militantwire.com/p/manufacturing-the-revolution-weapons|title=Manufacturing the Revolution: Weapons and Explosives Craft-Produced by Myanmar's Anti-Junta Fighters|publisher=Militant Wire|date=1 November 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[AMD-65]]
* [[Grenade launcher#Attached|Attached grenade launcher]]
* [[Knight's Armament Company Masterkey]]
* [[M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System]]
* [[Pike (munition)]]
* Related lists:
** [[List of crew-served weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces]]
** [[List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces]]
** [[United States 40 mm grenades]]
* [[Rifle grenade]]
* [[XM25 CDTE]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2010armament/TuesdayLandmarkBTamilio.pdf|title=Project Manager Soldier Weapons Briefing for NDIA|last=Fuller|first=BG Peter N.|author2=COL Douglas A. Tamilio|date=18 May 2010|work=[[PEO Soldier]]|publisher=United States Army|access-date=28 October 2010|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114024552/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2010armament/TuesdayLandmarkBTamilio.pdf|archive-date=14 November 2011}}
{{refend}}
:{{US Army}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|M320 Grenade launcher}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070625034916/http://peosoldier.army.mil/factsheets/SW_IW_XM320.pdf XM320 40 mm Grenade Launcher Module (GLM) Fact sheet]
* [http://photos.imageevent.com/smglee/cltactical/HK%20Military%20LE%20Catalog.pdf 2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120603121421/http://world.guns.ru/grenade/de/hk-ag36-ag-c-e.html AG36 / AG-C / EGLM / XM320 grenade launcher page] on Modern Firearms
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/m320.htm M320] at [[GlobalSecurity.org]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110711172441/http://www.hk-usa.com/military_products/m320_general.asp XM320 page on HK USA site]

{{ModernUSInfWeaponsNav}}
{{HK firearms}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:M320 Grenade Launcher}}
[[Category:40×46mm grenade launchers]]
[[Category:Grenade launchers of Germany]]
[[Category:Grenade launchers of the United States]]
[[Category:Heckler & Koch grenade launchers]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2000s]]
[[Category:Underbarrel weapons]]