The AGS-17 Soviet easel automatic grenade launcher was developed at the Nudelman Design Bureau, and was adopted in 1970. It is designed to eliminate the enemy’s manpower in open areas, in field fortifications and light shelters. The caliber of the weapon is 30 mm.
Description
The AGS-17 Flame grenade launcher has excellent tactical and technical parameters and can hit the enemy with flat and mounted fire. The weapon is still in service with the Russian army. Also, dozens of countries near and far abroad use this model. The main advantages of the grenade launcher are versatility, reliability and simplicity of design. It can be operated not only from the machine, but also mounted on various types of equipment.
AGS-17 has proven in practice its effectiveness in dozens of conflicts. The first real weapons tests took place in Afghanistan. The grenade launcher proved to be excellent in mountain confrontations; it was actively used not only by Soviet troops, but also by Mujahideen. Weapons also took part in the first and second Chechen companies. Now it is operated in Syria.
Serial production of the modification under consideration has been established at the Hammer engineering plant. In addition, its modifications were made in the former Yugoslavia and China.
Development and creation
The first prototype of the AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher was developed by the designer Taubin in the 30s of the last century. Combining rate of fire with the damaging effect of fragments was a pretty good idea. The Ministry of Defense became interested in a new type of weapon, prototypes were created and trial tests were conducted.
The development of the grenade launcher was carried out by OKB-16, at that time already led by Nudelman. The first working layout was ready in 1967. After testing and making some adjustments to the design, the model was adopted.
Features
AGS-17 in its class refers to a small-caliber automatic gun. It shoots artillery charges of small caliber with high-explosive fragmentation. The name of the weapon is more connected with its tactical tasks, rather than design features. Together with the underbarrel counterparts, the considered modification formed a new category - support weapons.
The first baptism of fire of a grenade launcher took place during the Vietnam-China conflict, and the war in Afghanistan was a real test, where the gun showed itself exclusively on the positive side. The first versions were equipped with a barrel with an aluminum cooling radiator, and later models were equipped with finning of the external working surface.
Device and principle of operation
The AGS-17 grenade launcher functions by rolling the free shutter. When fired, powder gases act on the bottom of the sleeve, swinging the bolt to its extreme rear position. As a result, the return springs are compressed, the next charge is fed to the delivery line to the input window, as well as the subsequent reflection of the spent element. When the shutter is released, the ammunition is delivered to the chamber and cocking the striker. At the time of arrival of the locking part in the extreme frontal position, the shutter is disconnected from the hammer. He, driven back by the pressure of the mainspring, strikes the striker arm. The igniter capsule is heating up, a shot is being fired.
The design of AGS-17 includes the following elements:
- trigger mechanism;
- receiver;
- recharge unit;
- receiver;
- return springs.
The grenade launcher is equipped with a rifled quick-change barrel, which is fixed on the box with a lock and checks. The rectangular shutter has a rammer that moves vertically, as well as a comb used to extract the spent sleeve.
In the inner part of the shutter there is a hydraulic recoil brake. It optimizes automation, increasing accuracy and accuracy of firing. This assembly includes a rod with a piston, a cylinder filled with kerosene and a flange to prevent leakage of fluid. When you roll back, the brake unit locks against the back plate, and in the case of moving forward, it rests against the special protrusions of the receiver.
Other nodes and elements
The receiver cover has a reloading mechanism that includes a clip, cable and handle in the form of the letter “T”. The shutter retracts while pulling the cable. When firing from AGS-17, the reload unit remains stationary.
Impact part - trigger type. During the descent, an action is applied to the striker lever located in the bolt. The trigger mechanism is located on the left side of the receiver. The grenade launcher has a flag fuse that locks the sear. There is also a mechanism for adjusting the rate of fire, its functionality depends on the duration of the gun’s automation cycle. The upper fixed position - up to 400 shots, the lower position - up to 100 volleys (per minute).
Weapons are controlled by a pair of horizontal folding arms between which the trigger is placed. Grenade launcher feed belt - metal with open links. It is placed in a rounded box mounted on the right side of the receiver. The feed mechanism includes a spring-loaded rammer and a lever with a roller. Spent tape is removed from the seat down using a special reflector.
The box for carrying the store has a handle, a lid, a sash with latches, as well as a special shutter designed to mask the neck during transportation. The tape for shots can be charged manually or through a special machine. A 30-magazine magazine with cartridges is placed in the box, the last of which is inserted into the receiver, plays the role of a shank.
Aiming system
To aim an automatic grenade launcher at the target, a PAG-17 type optical sight is used. It is mounted on an arm on the left side of the receiver. The device makes it possible to fire direct fire at a distance of 700 meters. It is also used in firing from closed positions. In addition to optics, the system also includes a mechanical sight from a front sight and a rear sight.
The gun is mounted on a SAG-17 machine. In the stowed position, it is folded and moved by the second settlement number. All support devices are adjustable, which makes the use of a grenade launcher convenient, regardless of the situation and the terrain.
TTX AGS-17
Below are the main parameters of the tactical and technical plan:
- caliber - 30 mm;
- barrel length (total) - 29 (84) cm;
- weight with the machine - 52 kg;
- rate of fire - 65 volleys per minute;
- damage radius - 7 m;
- ammunition launch speed - 120 m / s;
- crew calculation - 2-3 people;
- sighting range - 1.7 km.
Modifications
Several variations of the grenade launcher under consideration have been developed:
- AGS "Flame". The basic equipment of the gun mounted on a tripod machine type SAG-17.
- AGS-17-30. Aircraft modification developed in 1980. The model differs from the standard version by the presence of an electronic descent, a volley counter, a reduced pitch of barrel rifling, an accelerated rate of fire, and an increased cooling radiator. The grenade launcher was usually located in a special hanging container.
- 17-D The version installed on the Terminator BMP.
- 17-m. Marine modification mounted on combat boats and BMP-3.
- CBA-117. The model was developed by the designers of the Ukrainian artillery armament design bureau and is included in the equipment of combat modules for land and water armored vehicles.
Grenades AGS-17
As the ammunition for the specified grenade launcher, several types of charges can be used. The most commonly used shells are VOG-17 and VOG-17M. Each cartridge consists of a sleeve, a powder charge, a grenade (with a thin-walled body and an internal filling of rectangular wire), as well as an instant reaction fuse.
During the firing process, the capsule is heated, the powder charge is ignited in the sleeve, a volley is made. The fuse is activated in a combat position only after 50-100 meters of flight, ensuring the safety of the service crew. The upgraded VOG-17M ammunition is a grenade equipped with a self-destruction system. The gun is also designed to operate practical shots. For example, the charge of VUS-17 instead of explosive contains a pyrotechnic filling that gives orange smoke at the point of incidence. Also for the grenade launcher created training cartridges.
Operation and maintenance
The calculation of AGS-17, the characteristics of which are given above, consists of two fighters. If necessary, it may include a shell carrier. Usually, the fire is fired in automatic mode, although shooting is provided in a single execution. The most effective is the defeat of targets in short bursts of 3-5 grenades.
In a combat situation, the movement of the gun is carried out together with the machine, for this special belts are used. It is worth noting that this is not so simple, since the mass of the grenade launcher is 18 kg (with the machine - 52 kg). This is without taking into account the weight of the ammunition. A similar feature relates to the main lack of weapons. The rest of the AGS-17 is a reliable and efficient automatic grenade launcher, simple to maintain and operate. Dismantling the model does not require additional tools; it is carried out without problems in the field. The instrument proved its viability and right to exist repeatedly in practice, participating in various wars and conflicts. We can safely say that in many ways the model is superior to its foreign competitors.
