Up to 700,000 Rounds per Year Anticipated
Rheinmetall has received a production order from the US Marine Corps for 40x53mm MK281 Mod 3 40mm practice rounds. Produced in Arkansas and shipped from American Rheinmetall Munitions (ARM) in Stafford, VA, total order volume is expected to be in the region of US$59 million (€51 million). Production is scheduled to commence no later than the third quarter of 2019 and annual deliveries of up to 700,000 rounds are anticipated, according to the company.
Rheinmetall‘s MK281 is a non-dud producing, non-toxic training cartridge fired from a MK19 automatic grenade launcher (AGL). The cartridges use unique target marking technologies that enable both day and night training and the design reduces customer costs by eliminating unexploded ordnance and range fires. Furthermore, it permits users to practice fire-and-manoeuvre operations in a safe, dud-free environment.
ARM has been producing and supplying first-class, high-performance practice and service ammunition for American military and law enforcement customers for over a decade.