an offer from Airtronic USA (then the current government manufacturer of the M203, having succeeded Colt) to acquire a license for military production and sales. Both CSG and Airtronic/Trident launchers were considered for replacement of the M79 stand-alone launcher in the Marine Corps. In July 2007, Airtronic USA announced that they were entering large-scale production with an initial order of 500 units for US military forces. This announcement occurred simultaneously with a demonstration of the CSG/Trident China Lake launcher in an episode of the popular military technology program, "Weaponology". From 2007-2009 contractor and manufacturer Airtronic USA invested over two million dollars with Trident for a contract to reproduce the China Lake Launcher's original design and a more modular design (information provided by Marriellen Kett, president of Airtronic USA). These improvements include a M203 handguard, M4 carbine-style collapsible stock and barrel with a top Picatinny rail for accessories, and extended the magazine tube to fit four grenades plus one in the chamber. The two companies involved (Airtronic and Trident) parted ways after legal action. During this the U.S.M.C adopted the Milkor M32 Grenade Launcher as a replacement, essentially ending any further development of the China Lake launcher. Price Of the original 1967-1969 NAWS manufactured China Lake Grenade Launchers, none are known to be under private ownership. The Trident/CSG China Lake Grenade Launchers from the 2009 defense contract are the last nine known legal launchers to be in private hands and are valued over $80,000 USD based on past auctions. The nine CSG/Trident patented contract China Lake launchers are transferable as a Destructive Device in the United States. Patented All CSG/Trident China Lake Grenade Launchers remaining in registry can be considered of extreme rarity. Note: Filed Sept. 1, 1967 Alfred F. Kermode holding patent 3,435,549 PUMP TYPE TUBULAR MAGAZINE REPEATING FIREARM was transferred to and held with the U.S. Gov and Filed under April 1, 1969 to the U.S. Patent office. No other China Lake reproductions are allowed unless approved by the U.S. Government for direct defense contract to the U.S. Government. V. C. Muller Attorney. U.S. Patent Office. Users Navy SEALs United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance 5th Special Forces Group of the Army Green Berets See also EX 41 grenade launcher M79 grenade launcher M203 grenade launcher M32 grenade Launcher M320 grenade launcher Mk 19 grenade launcher GM-94 grenade launcher Brügger & Thomet GL06 References External links Grenade launchers of