China Lake NATIC
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the similar EX 41 pump-action grenade launcher, see EX 41 grenade launcher.
| China Lake Pump-Action Grenade Launcher | |
|---|---|
 AEG replica |
|
| Type | grenade launcher |
| Place of origin | United States of America |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1968- |
| Used by | Navy SEALs, Force Recon, 5th SFG |
| Wars | Vietnam War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | China Lake Naval Weapons Center |
| Designed | 1968 |
| Manufacturer | China Lake Naval Weapons Center |
| Produced | 1968 |
| Number built | Less than 50 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 4.63 kg (10.21 lbs) loaded 3.72 kg (8.2 lbs) empty |
| Length | 87.5 cm (34.5 in) |
| Barrel length | 35.6 cm (14 in) |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | 40 mm grenade |
| Action | pump-action |
| Rate of fire | 15 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 76 m/s (250 fps) |
| Effective range | 350 m (383 yds) |
| Maximum range | 400 m (437 yds) |
| Feed system | 3-round tubular magazine |
| Sights | Open, leaf-type, square-notch/blade |
The China Lake NATIC (or China Lake Pump-Action Grenade Launcher) is a pump-action grenade launcher that was developed by the Special Projects Division of the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, which provided equipment to Navy SEALs. Navy SEALs were unsatisfied with the single-shot nature of the M79 and XM148 grenade launchers, and the repeating T148E1 grenade launcher was unreliable, so they made a request to China Lake engineers. SEAL Teams were pleased with the resultant pump-action grenade launcher, since the tubular magazine held three 40 x 46 mm grenades, and so with one grenade in the chamber, four grenades could rapidly be fired before reloading. It was claimed that all four could be fired before the first one landed. The grenade launcher was light for its size, since a significant portions of it were made of aluminum. However, it still was heavy and could not reliably feed the more oddly-shaped 40 mm grenades.
The pump-action grenade launcher featured leaf iron sights similar to the M79. The front sight is a fixed square notch. Depending on if the leaf is folded or not, the rear square notch is either fixed or adjustable from 75 to 375 meters in 25-meter increments.
Though meant for the SEAL Teams, a handful were used by Marine Force Recon and Army 5th Special Forces Group. Sources differ as to how many weapons were produced. One claims that between 20 and 30 were made. The highest original receiver number found is 50, but it may never have been made into a functional weapon. [1] However, according to another source, only 16 were made.[2] Since it was made on an ad hoc basis for special operations forces, it was not formally adopted and has no official designation.
At least two grenade launchers are on display in museums. One, serial number 4, is at the UDT/ SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida while the other, serial number 13, is found in the War remnants museum in Vietnam. [2] Canal Side Guns currently makes copies.
[edit] See also
- EX 41 grenade launcher
- M79 grenade launcher
- M203 grenade launcher
- M32 grenade Launcher
- M320 grenade launcher
- Mk 19 grenade launcher
[edit] References
- ^ Dockery, Kevin (December 2004). Weapons of the Navy SEALs. New York City: Berkley Publishing Group, 382. ISBN 0-425-19834-0.
- ^ a b Bruce, Robert (December 2006). "Treasures of the UDT-SEAL Museum". Small Arms Review 10 (3): 46. ISSN 1094-995x.
