United States delivered grenade launchers M203 and RQ-11B Raven UAVs to Philippines Army 10302171

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Defense & Security News - Philippines
 
United States delivered grenade launchers M203 and RQ-11B Raven UAVs to Philippines Army.
Representatives from the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) delivered new military equipment to the Philippine Army and Marine Corps January 27. The transfer included over 400 M203 grenade launchers, 85 M40A5 sniper rifles, and a RQ-11B Raven unmanned aerial vehicle system consisting of three drones for exclusive use and ownership by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
     
Representatives from the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) delivered new military equipment to the Philippine Army and Marine Corps January 27. The transfer included over 400 M203 grenade launchers, 85 M40A5 sniper rifles, and a RQ-11B Raven unmanned aerial vehicle system consisting of three drones for exclusive use and ownership by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Philippine service members receive new counterterrorism equipment from the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group Philippines, as part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense modernization efforts (Source photo ph.usembassy.gov)
     
The AFP procured the small-arms weapons through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales program. This equipment will help enhance the AFP’s counterterrorism capabilities, and protect Philippine security forces actively engaged in counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines.
 
In addition to the small-arms transfer, the U.S. government provided a Raven unmanned aerial vehicle system through the grant counterterrorism program. As part of the grant, and in addition to the three unmanned aerial vehicles included in the Raven system, Philippine service members received training in the United States on its operations and maintenance. The Raven is a hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicle that will increase the AFP’s capabilities to conduct intelligence collection, mission planning, and reconnaissance operations.
 
The equipment transfer and continued bilateral training efforts demonstrate the commitment between the Philippines and U.S. to work towards safer communities and the eradication of global terror networks.

The RQ-11 Raven is a lightweight unmanned aircraft system (UAS). It is designed for rapid deployment and high-mobility for military and commercial operations. RQ-11B has a wingspan of 1.4m (4.5ft) and a weight of 4.2lb. Launched by hand, Raven provides aerial observation, day or night, at line-of-sight ranges of 10km or more.

The M40 rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle in service with the United States Marine Corps. It has had four variants, the M40, M40A1, M40A3, and M40A5.

The M203 is a single-shot 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. The M203 was originally designed for the U.S. M16 and its variant, the M4 Carbine. The launcher can also be mounted onto a C7, a Canadian version of the M16 rifle.