SNT Motiv K4

40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL) [ 1993 ]

The ST Motiv K4 Automatic Grenade Launcher of the South Korean Army is clearly influenced by the American Mk 19 series.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/12/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from official SNT Motiv marketing materials.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

All modern, first-rate armies of the world field some form of Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL). These are belt-fed weapons suitable for fire suppression efforts and can be fitted to defensive positions (firing from a heavy-duty tripod assembly) or mounted on vehicles and watercraft (via pintle mount). For the Republic of Korea Army (South Korea), the Daewoo Precision Industries "K4" fulfills this battlefield role. It entered service in 1993 and has seen combat in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and has also seen exposure in the Libyan Civil War.

Design work on the K4 spanned from 1985 to 1991 and was handled by the Agency for Defense Development. The weapon is a product of a decisive move by South Korean armed forces to reduce reliance on foreign military products. As such a whole line "K" weapons have since emerged and stocks the inventory of the modern South Korean Army. Many of the K-weapons are today (2017) produced under the S&T Motiv brand label.

In many ways, the South Korean K4 mimics the form and function of the well-established American-originated Saco Mk 19 AGL still in widespread use around the globe. Like the Mk 19, the K4 relies on the proven 40x53mm grenade which offers good concussion and explosive effects against target areas. The internal firing action is of basic blowback and feeding is by way a belt pulled from a hard case - projectiles enter the receiver from the left side and spent cases are ejected to the right. A rate-of-fire nearing 350 rounds-per-minute can be achieved and effective engagement ranges are out to 1,500 meters while areas out to 2,200 meters can be affected though with reduced accuracy. Sighting is through a flip-up rear aperture.

The single-shot, under-barrel launcher form of the K4 is the "K201" detailed elsewhere on this site. This more compact weapon provides a grenadier capability to the standard infantryman and broadens his tactical value in the field.

Beyond South Korea, the K4 has been purchased by Libya (becoming the product's first export customer in 2009) and Mexico (becoming an operator in 2011).©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Service Year

1993

Origin

South Korea

Classification

40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (AGL)

SNT Motiv (Daewoo Precision) - South Korea

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Libya; Mexico; South Korea

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Fire Support
Capable of suppressing enemy elements at range through direct or in-direct fire.

Overall Length

1,072 mm
42.20 in

Barrel Length

412 mm
16.22 in

Empty Wgt

76.06 lb
34.50 kg

Sights

Iron.

Action

Blowback

Blowback Operation
Gas pressure from the rearward movement of the ignited cartridge case provides the needed bolt movement, ejecting the spent case and stripping a fresh case from the magazine.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

40x53mm

Rounds / Feed

Belt-Fed

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Max Eff.Range

4,920 ft
(1,500 m | 1,640 yd)

Rate-of-Fire

350
rds/min

Muzzle Velocity

790 ft/sec
(241 m/sec)

K4 - Base Series Designation

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.

Images Gallery

1 / 1

Image from official SNT Motiv marketing materials.

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)