#40mm launcher series#

The DNS is equipped with integral iron sights in case of electronics failure or for situational expediency. The DNS provides increased accuracy over the current quadrant and leaf sight systems for both point and area targets.

#40mm launcher series#

The M203 series could also be fitted with a Day-Night Sight (DNS) that provides an aiming device for the M203 Grenade Launcher for all lighting conditions, increasing the lethality and operational flexibility of the soldier. The M203A1 was primarily intended for use on the M4 carbine and similar short barrel members of the M16 family. The M203A1 has a shorter barrel and a quick release mechanism to facilitate rapidly attaching and detaching the weapon. The launcher also has a quadrant sight which may be attached to the host rifle's carrying handle and is used when precision is required out to the maximum effective range of the weapon. The launcher is capable of firing a variety of low velocity 40mm ammunition. The launcher consists of a hand guard and sight assembly with an adjustable metallic folding, short-range blade sight assembly, and an aluminum receiver assembly which houses the barrel latch, barrel stop and firing mechanism. The base M203 is a lightweight, compact, breech loading, pump action, single shot launcher. The earlier M203 was used while attached to the M16A1 and M16A2 5.56mm rifles, and could be used with the XM177E2 submachine gun and other shortened variants of the M16 rifle family. The weapon increases the lethality and operational flexibility of the soldier with a grenade capability that bridges the gap between hand grenade and mortar. The modification to the previous M203 and M203A1 designs includes a quick-attach bracket for the grenade launcher and a leaf sight to attach to the MIL-STD-1913 Rail Adapter System. The M203A2 grenade launcher provides a mounting system compatible with the M16A4 rifle and M4 carbine.