Milkor MGL

The MGL (Multiple Grenade Launcher) is a lightweight 40 mm six-shot revolver-type grenade launcher (variations also fire 37/38mm) developed and manufactured in South Africa by Milkor (Pty) Ltd. The MGL was demonstrated as a concept to the South African Defence Force (SADF) in 1981. The operating principle was immediately accepted and subjected to a stringent qualification program. The MGL was then officially accepted into service with the SADF as the Y2. After its introduction in 1983, the MGL was gradually adopted by the armed forces and law enforcement organizations of over 50 countries. Total production since 1983 has been more than 50,000 units.

The MGL is a multiple-shot weapon, intended to significantly increase a small squad's firepower when compared to traditional single-shot grenade launchers like the M203. The MGL is designed to be simple, rugged, and reliable. It uses the well-proven revolver principle to achieve a high rate of accurate fire which can be rapidly brought to bear on a target. A variety of rounds such as HE, HEAT, anti-riot baton, irritant, and pyrotechnic can be loaded and fired as fast as the trigger can be pulled; the cylinder can be loaded or unloaded rapidly to maintain a high rate of fire. Although intended primarily for offensive and defensive use with high-explosive rounds, with appropriate ammunition the launcher is suitable for anti-riot and other security operations. A newly patented modification allows the MGL to fire less lethal (very low pressure) rounds.

Design details

Operating mechanism

The MGL is a low-velocity, shoulder-fired 40 mm grenade launcher with a six-round spring-driven revolver-style magazine capable of accepting most 40×46mm grenades. The spring-driven cylinder rotates automatically while firing, but it must be wound back up after every reloading.

Features

The MGL grenade launcher consists of a lightweight, progressively rifled steel barrel, sight assembly, frame with firing mechanism, spring-actuated revolving cylinder magazine, and a folding stock. The weapon has a fire selector safety switch just above the rear pistol grip which can be operated from either side. The launcher cannot be accidentally discharged if dropped.

A South African soldier equipped with a Milkor Y2 MKI MGL. Variants have been in South African Army service since 1983

The launcher is loaded by releasing the cylinder axis pin and swinging the steel frame away from the cylinder. The rear of the cylinder (including the pistol grip) is unlatched and pivoted counter-clockwise to expose the chambers during reloading. By inserting the fingers into the empty chambers and rotating the aluminium cylinder it is then wound against its driving spring. The grenades are then inserted into the chambers, one-by-one (because the cylinder cannot be removed), the frame closed, and the axis pin re-engaged to lock. When the trigger is pressed a double-action takes place and the firing pin is cocked and released to fire the grenade. Gas pressure on a piston unlocks the cylinder and allows the spring to rotate it until the next chamber is aligned with the firing pin, whereupon the next round can be fired. If a misfire occurs the trigger can be pulled repeatedly.

Sights

Some models of the MGL are equipped with the Armson Occluded Eye Gunsight (OEG), a blind collimator sight which provides a single aiming dot. The shooter aims with both eyes open and the effect is to see the aiming spot superimposed on the target, both target and aiming dot being in sharp focus. The launcher is also fitted with an artificial boresight which can be used to zero the sight. The OEG sight includes a tritium radio-luminous lamp which provides the spot contrast and which has a life of approximately 10 years. The Armson sight was designed to be used to determine the range to the target and instantly adjusted. It enables the user to increase the hit probability at ranges up to 375 m. The range quadrant is graduated in 25 m increments and aim is automatically compensated for drift.

Accessories

Each MGL is supplied with a sling, a cleaning kit and a user's manual.

Variants

Loading 40 mm grenades into the launcher.

Several upgrades were made to the original design in the last decade. After over 12 years of production and more than a decade of user feedback from different countries around the world it became evident that a redesign of some component groups would make the weapon even more user-friendly and reliable, while at the same time simplifying maintenance. This development, known as the MGL Mk 1 was introduced to the market in 1996. All weapons previously supplied can be upgraded to the Mk 1 configuration. Parts, such as the steel barrel, are interchangeable with a minimum of workshop modifications involving a few special tools and cutting dies.

Two "product improved" variants were introduced in 2004. The first is the Mk 1S, which replaces the aluminum frame of the Mk 1 with a stronger stainless steel body, a conventional trigger unit, and Picatinny rail support at the top, sides and bottom of the forend. The second variant is the Mk 1L, also known as the MGL-140 because of its 140mm cylinder, with the same features as the Mk 1S, but with a 140 mm (5.5 in) long cylinder to fit special-purpose grenades such as tear gas canisters and less-lethal impact rounds that are too long to fit in the other models' shorter cylinder. The MGL-140/Mk 1L also features a sliding buttstock.^[2]

In 2006 the Milkor 37/38mm Multiple Anti-Riot (MAR) replaced the Milkor 40mm Less-Lethal Yima. The MAR is a lightweight shoulder fired 6-shot launcher, adapted to fire the standard 37/38mm less lethal riot control rounds available today.^[2]

The Milkor 40mm SuperSix MRGL was developed in 2012 and features a new recoil reduction system, redesigned stock, strengthened construction and new optics.^[3] The SuperSix MRGL is capable of firing a wide range of standard (LV) and medium velocity (MV) munitions, which enables the user to engage a wider range of targets than possible with previous launchers and its range reaches a distance of 800 to 1 200 metres.^[4] Rounds can be fired in rapid succession of 6 rounds in less than 3 seconds (operator dependant) and has a standard 6-shot area coverage of at least 20m x 60m.^[5]

Users

•  Bangladesh: Used by the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force.^[6]
•  Brazil^[7]
•  Colombia: Makes the MK-1 MGL under license by Indumil.^[8]
•  Croatia: Locally produced by Metallic d.o.o., designated RBG-6.^[9][10]
•  Georgia^[11]
•  India: A copy made by the Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli as the Multi Grenade Launcher.^[12]
•  Indonesia: In service with Komando Pasukan Katak tactical diver group of Indonesian Navy.^[13]
•  Malaysia: In service with the Malaysian Army.^[14]
•  Mexico: MK-1 MGL used by Mexican Army. Some M-32 have been acquired in recent years.
•  Pakistan: Used by the Pakistan Army and Special Services Group.^[15]
•  Peru^[9]
•  South Africa: In service with the South African Army^[9][16]
•  Sweden: In limited use by the Swedish Armed Forces, known as Granatkastargevär 90.^[9]
•  Taiwan: Mk 1 referred to as "flame projector gun", reflecting its use with yellow phosphorus rounds as a replacement to the old flamethrowers.^[17]
•  Thailand: Milkor M32 is in use with the Royal Thai Navy.^[18]
•  Turkey: Produced by MKEK.^[19] Used by Turkish Army,^[20] Gendarmerie General Command^[21] and General Directorate of Security^[22]
•  United States: Employed by the United States Marine Corps as the M32 MGL.^[23]
•  Vietnam: Produced for the Vietnam People's Army by the General Department of Defense Industry.^[24]

See also

• SAG-30
• Hawk MM-1
• RG-6 grenade launcher
• RGP-40

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Milkor MGL.

• Milkor (Pty) Ltd
• Martin Electronics, Inc. – 40 mm ammunition
• M433 40 mm HEDP grenade specs
• The Infantry's Explosive Punch (Asian Military Review article)