Daewoo K4
S&T Motiv (formerly Daewoo Precision Industries) · Machine Gun · In Production · 1993
Also known as: K-4, K4 AGL, K4 GMG
Overview
The Daewoo K4 is a 40x53mm high-velocity automatic grenade launcher developed for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces by the Agency for Defense Development between 1985 and 1991, and produced by Daewoo Precision Industries (now S&T Motiv) from 1993. Fundamentally similar in role to the U.S. Mk 19, the K4 is a belt-fed, blowback-operated crew-served weapon used to suppress troops in the open and engage soft-skinned vehicles out to 1,500 m, with a maximum range of 2,200 m.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 34400 g (1213.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1072 mm (42.20") |
| Barrel Length | 412 mm (16.22") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 48 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Belt |
| Muzzle Velocity | 241 m/s (791 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 6680 J (4927 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 1500 m (1640 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 2200 m (2406 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 350 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 40x53mm HV Grenade · primary · 40 mm HV — also known as 40 mm Mk19, 40x53mm SR
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Linked Belt 32 Round, Linked Belt 48 Round
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Automatic Sear Safety
- Features: Tripod Mounted, Vehicle Pintle Mountable, Belt Fed 32 Or 48 Grenade Belt, Kan Tvs 5 Night Vision Compatible, Spade Grips
Service history
Operators
- Republic of Korea Armed Forces · adopted 1993 · as K4
- Iraqi Armed Forces
- Mexican Armed Forces
- Polish Armed Forces
- Singapore Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Libyan Civil War (2011)
Production
Production years: 1993-present
Standard ROK Army automatic grenade launcher; multiple export contracts to Iraq, Mexico, Poland and Singapore
Origin
Country of origin: South Korea
Designer: Agency for Defense Development (ADD)
Notes
Like the Mk 19, the K4 is normally tripod-mounted or fitted to vehicle pintle mounts (HMMWV-equivalent KM250, K200 IFV, naval craft). It is fed from 32- or 48-round linked belts and accepts a KAN/TVS-5 night-vision sight on a side rail.
Background
The K4 was deliberately designed to maintain ammunition compatibility with the U.S. Mk 19, so that ROK forces operating alongside U.S. units in a Korean Peninsula contingency could share linked 40x53mm grenade belts without resupply problems.