Army orders MK47s for foreign sale

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 4 (UPI) -- General Dynamics will produce MK47 grenade launcher systems for the U.S. Army in support of a foreign military sale, the company announced.

The award to General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products is worth $24.9 million.

"The MK47 is a reliable, portable 40mm grenade weapon system suited for mobile, tactical combat infantry units, particularly against soft and lightly-armored targets," said Mike O'Brien, vice president and general manager of gun systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. "The MK47 has been demonstrated in combat to be a one-shot, one-kill weapon system."

The MK47, also known as the Striker, is an advanced lightweight grenade launcher capable of firing air bursting munitions. General Dynamics is working with Raytheon to build the lightweight video system fire control, which assists in the detection, recognition and first-round engagement of target threats.

Additional details of the contract from the Army's TACOM Contracting Center Rock Island, Ill., weren't given. General Dynamics, however, said production of the units would take place at its facility in Saco, Maine.