U.S. Army orders more MK19s

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has received another shipment of MK19 machine guns from General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.

The machine guns fire 40mm grenades and are used either by dismounted infantry or on light tactical vehicles.

"Over the past quarter century, the MK19 has been the single most-highly fielded 40mm grenade machine gun in the world," said Steve Elgin, vice president and general manager of armament systems for General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products.

"The weapon's popularity is the result of its high reliability and the vast logistical support as the U.S. government's standard issue grenade machine gun."

The machine guns delivered -- 85 in all -- were produced under an $8.7 million contract awarded General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products in 2011, which was an extension of a 2008 contract. The company said the order brought the total value of the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity deal to more than $90 million.

The current order carries a value of $8.7 million.

The MK19 can fire as many as 400 rounds a minute and has a maximum range of more than 2,200 yards.