Come Back Alive Foundation handed over the first special sights for Mk 19
31 October, 2023 A Mk 19 grenade launcher with sights from Come Back Alive Foundation, 2023. Photo of the Foundation The Come Back Alive Foundation has delivered the first 35 special sights for American Mk 19 grenade launchers to the Ukrainian military.
The Foundation's Press Service announced this on Tuesday, October 31, on its social media pages. The transfer took place within the framework of the project called "Prytsilno" (Aimed). Specifically, the air assault and separate mechanized brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine received the sights for Mk 19 automatic grenade launchers, which allow firing from a closed position.
The total cost of the transferred sights is over UAH 3 million.
A Mk 19 grenade launcher with sights from Come Back Alive Foundation, 2023. Photo of the Foundation
The Come Back Alive Foundation noted that this summer, the Foundation, together with Ukrainer, raised UAH 13 million as part of the "Prytsilno" (Aimed) project to supply almost 150 Ukrainian units with American-made Mk 19 automatic grenade launchers. "We decided to launch the initiative since the standard sights of the grenade launchers that the Ukrainian army receives as part of the assistance from Western partners do not allow firing from closed positions - only direct fire.
This significantly reduces the Mk 19 potential on the battlefield," the Foundation pointed out. To implement this project, the Come Back Alive Foundation instructor department designed this sight based on the principle of an artillery sight, which "demonstrated excellent results during the tests."
A Mk 19 grenade launcher with sights from Come Back Alive Foundation, 2023. Photo of the Foundation
It is emphasized that this sight should help the crews hit the target without additional shooting and fire from safer, closed firing positions.
In addition to the grenade launchers donated by the United States, the new sights can also be mounted on Ukrainian 40-mm UAG-40 automatic grenade launchers. Come Back Alive Foundation plans to purchase a hundred of them within the Eye for an Eye 2 project.
Shooting from closed positions
"Shooting from closed positions" is a term that refers to firing on a hinged trajectory at a target that is not in the line of sight.
Operation of the Mk 19 grenade launcher in connection with the UAV.
Photo credits: ArmyInform
This method of firing in the current combat environment involves the active use of unmanned aerial vehicles in coordination with the crew to constantly adjust fire on the target.