[SHOT 2026] Death From Above - The Colt Mk47 Grenade Launcher Drone
One of the most eye-catching elements of Colt’s booth this year isn’t even at eye level. It’s suspended 15 feet above the show floor. It’s a collaboration between Colt and SURVICE, a drone manufacturer.
The drone itself is a TRV-150, a Group 3 unmanned aircraft system developed by SURVICE which was procured by the US Marine Corps in 2023. Colt was approached following a Marine Corps request to develop methods of arming the SURVICE TRV-150. The drone hanging above the Colt booth is the project’s proof of concept.
Also on display, just below the drone, Colt had a custom display mount made up of a custom cut gun shield.
Colt explained that the Mk47 is the lightest automatic 40mm grenade launcher on the market so it made sense for it to be selected for testing. Colt acquired ownership of the Mk47 Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher system from General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems in January 2024.
The mounting of an automatic grenade launcher isn’t too outlandish, in Ukraine smaller drones have already been equipped with single-use rocket propelled grenades. The Colt - SURVICE pairing will see the 40lbs grenade launcher mounted on the TRV-150, along with around 60 rounds of ammunition taking advantage of the drone’s 150lbs payload capacity and 45 minute flight time.
The US Marine Corps have already allegedly tested the SURVICE drone with Hydra 70mm rockets, which Colt noted have a similar recoil force to a Mk47 firing. It will be interesting to see if the Colt-SURVICE grenade launcher drone is viable. Unsurprisingly, no MSRP on this set up sadly but Colt say they will be undertaking their first livefire with the Mk47 equipped drone in March.
Managing Editor: TheFirearmBlog.com & Overt Defense.com. Matt is a British historian specialising in small arms development and military history. He has written several books and for a variety of publications in both the US and UK. Matt is also runs The Armourer's Bench, a video series on historically significant small arms. Here on TFB he covers product and current military small arms news. Reach Matt at: matt@thefirearmblog.com
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The rise of the machines
"The US Marine Corps have already allegedly tested the SURVICE drone with Hydra 70mm rockets, which Colt noted have a similar recoil force to a Mk47 firing."
With an APKWS, Shahed 136 defense?