Grenadier - literally, a soldier throwing grenades, the further the better. The military has long wanted a weapon capable of throwing grenades over long distances. Today, our troops have at their disposal a steel grenadier that not only throws grenades far, but can also do it in bursts - this is the AGS 17 “Flame”. The “Flame” grenade launcher is a cross between a heavy machine gun and a mortar, pocket artillery for infantry, paratroopers and special forces.
The first mounted grenade launchers appeared among the Americans in the late sixties. They were heavy, bulky and awkward to handle. Nevertheless, combat experience has shown that the new weapon has good prospects.
The AGS 17 easel grenade launcher was adopted by the Soviet army in the early seventies; compared to its American counterpart, it seemed like a feather. The weapons were strictly classified. In the mid-seventies, the grenade launcher was modernized: the “Flame” received a fire translator and a mechanical sight. It was tested in real battles only in 1979, on the Vietnamese-Chinese front. At that time, the qualities of AGS 17 seemed simply phenomenal. “Flame” grenade launchers literally mowed down Chinese infantry chains. The flame weapon is mobile and easy to use. At a distance of 1000 to 1700 meters, the grenade launcher can also be fired along an overhead trajectory. The grenade launcher has a machine that allows you to fire from different angles. “Flame” hits the enemy even in closed positions, on the back of a hill or in trenches. With a target range of one and a half kilometers, the automatic grenadier literally bombards the enemy with grenades, 100 rounds per minute. “Flame” is often installed on armored vehicles, helicopters, coast guard ships and river boats. In Afghanistan, craftsmen welded special sockets for grenade launchers to armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles; the presence of an AGS on the armor made it possible to reach the Mujahideen in conditions when the standard infantry weapons were powerless. AGS is effective against manpower, but is unable to hit even lightly armored targets.
The main weapon of such grenade launchers is fragmentation ammunition. Smart grenades were developed for “Flame”: they have a fuse and a self-destruct device; if the grenade flies less than 30 meters, there will be no explosion. If the shot is unsuccessful, the crew does not have to worry about fragments of their own grenade. At the same time, when fired at a distance of more than one and a half kilometers, the detonation will occur automatically. The "Flame" crew consists of two people - one fires, the second brings grenades and helps carry the grenade launcher. The machine easily folds and is carried by the second calculation number. In battle, the AGS is carried by both grenade launchers by their legs and belts, but if necessary, one person can handle the flames. For direct fire, optics are used, and point-to-point fire is used using a protractor. The grenade launcher can be shot in a few seconds, already during the battle. An experienced shooter fires in short bursts of three to five shots and adjusts the fire based on the explosions of the first grenades.
30-mm automatic mounted grenade launcher AGS-17 “Flame”
However, the AGS-17 turned out to be inconvenient for urban and close combat. There is simply no time to drag a two-pound grenade launcher during a head-on collision.
The development of automatic grenade launchers continues today. From the design of Anatoly Filippovich Baryshev you can even shoot from the hip. AGS-30 is a second generation grenade launcher. It is much more mobile - when assembled it weighs only 16 kilograms. Combat characteristics are no worse than those of its heavier predecessor. The ballistics and ammunition of the thirtieth are identical to the AGS-17, but the rate of fire is four times higher, with significantly less recoil. Another advantage of the AGS-30 is the design of the machine; it can be used to fire from unprepared positions. A wide firing sector makes it possible to quickly hit a suddenly appearing target. The AGS-30 is in increasing demand on the global arms market. This is not surprising; during local wars and operations against terrorists, such grenade launchers are an indispensable weapon.
In 1978, units of the Soviet Army received a new automatic grenade launcher AGS-30 (TKB-722K), created at the Heavy Engineering Design Bureau named after. Nudelman for standard AGS-17 ammunition. The AGS-30 grenade launcher, with the same caliber, was two times lighter than its predecessor, and much more compact than all foreign analogues of that time. This made it possible to reduce the number of crews, increase their survivability, as well as the maneuverability of weapons on the battlefield. With the same mass of the entire complex of about 75 kg, the AGS-30 ammunition load is 120 rounds of ammunition, while the AGS-17 has only 87.
automatic grenade launcher AGS-30, appearance A machine of a special design was created for the new weapon, providing the ability to quickly change position, as well as firing from places unsuitable for this, for example, from window openings of city buildings. In addition, the large horizontal guidance angle makes it possible to quickly react to changing conditions and transfer fire to suddenly appearing targets. Moreover, in exceptional cases, even in a combat position, a grenade launcher can be carried by one soldier.
Device features and equipment
The AGS-30 automatic system works thanks to the recoil energy of the free shutter. A distinctive feature of this design is the use of the so-called shutter roll-out effect (firing from the rear sear). Therefore, despite its unique lightness, the AGS-30 is not only not inferior, but even surpasses the much heavier AGS-17 in accuracy of fire.
The AGS-30 has a rifled barrel; if there is uninterrupted fire and the barrel overheats, it can be quickly replaced with a spare one. As a sighting device, optics with the PAG-17 index of 2.7 times magnification are used, the aiming reticle of which is illuminated for direct fire at a distance of up to 700 meters. When firing a canopy shot over long distances, a quadrant sight is used.
In 99 of the last century, TsKIB SOO engineers began designing a new generation 30-mm grenade launcher ammunition under the designation GPD-30. Initially, only the shape of the ammunition was redesigned. Its drag coefficient was reduced by 1.8 times, which reduced the sensitivity of the ammunition to the effects of longitudinal and lateral winds by one and a half to two times. This made it possible, without much reworking of the entire ammunition, to increase the maximum flight range from 1.7 km for VOG-17 and VOG-30 to more than 2.1 km, as well as improve such an important indicator as accuracy by 1.4 times and reduce the flight duration of the grenade at a distance of 1700 meters 1.4 times. In addition, firing GPD-30 ammunition produces a lower brightness of the muzzle flame, which significantly reduces the chance of detecting a firing position. The GPD-30 round has the same body as the VOG-30, but its fragments are formed in the form of a completely symmetrical rhombic arrangement, where all fragments are oriented to obtain the largest radius of dispersion.
Results
Thus, by the beginning of the 21st century, the grenade launcher armament of the Russian Army was updated due to the adoption of more effective ammunition.
Currently, the production of the AGS-30 automatic grenade launcher takes place at JSC Plant named after V. A. Degtyarev and the State Unitary Enterprise Instrument Design Bureau. The lightweight and compact AGS-30 is especially popular in mobile units of the Russian Army (for example, the Airborne Forces) and special forces.
| |
The AGS-30 automatic grenade launcher was developed in the first half of the 1990s in the Tula Instrument Design Bureau as a lighter and, accordingly, more maneuverable replacement for the successful AGS-17 grenade launcher. The new serial grenade launcher was first shown to the general public in 1999; its serial production was established at the Degtyarev plant in Kovrov. The AGS-30 grenade launcher is in service with units of the Russian Army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, in the infantry version on a tripod, as well as on various armored vehicles, in turret or remote installations. Compared to the AGS-17, the new grenade launcher provides the same combat characteristics with a significantly lower weight.
The automatic operation of the AGS-30 grenade launcher is based on the use of a free bolt when firing from an open bolt. The primer is pierced and the shot is fired while the bolt rolls up. The cartridges are fed from a non-scattering metal strip, similar to those used in AGS-17 grenade launchers. Ribbons are supplied from round boxes with a capacity of 29 shots. Unlike its predecessor, the fire controls (two horizontal handles and a trigger located on the right handle) are located not on the body of the grenade launcher, but on a tripod.
The 30-mm automatic easel grenade launcher AGS-17 "Plamya" was developed at KBTM named after. Nudelman and adopted by the Soviet Army in 1971. It is similar in class to the American 40-mm automatic grenade launcher Mk.19, but is structurally different from it not only in caliber, but also in the design of both the weapon itself and the shot.
The AGS-17 grenade launcher is designed to destroy unprotected enemy personnel, located both openly and behind reverse slopes of heights and other similar obstacles, by flat and mounted shooting. From a tactical point of view, the grenade launcher advantageously combines the properties of mortars - the ability to conduct overhead fire, the properties of automatic guns - a high rate of fire and the lightness and maneuverability of heavy machine guns. The AGS grenade launcher is very effective at covering area unprotected targets and concentrations of manpower.
A small propellant charge makes it possible to implement in the automatic grenade launcher a relatively simple principle of using the recoil energy of a free shutter - a similar principle is used in the vast majority of submachine guns. However, only in the initial sections of the reciprocating movement does the bolt move as free; in subsequent sections, a special hydraulic brake slows down the bolt, interacting with its rod respectively with the butt plate of the grenade launcher (during rollback) and the box stops (during rollback). This increases the duration of the automation cycle, thereby improving the accuracy of fire. In addition, the hydraulic brake absorbs some of the bolt's energy and allows the bolt itself to be lighter, which reduces the overall weight of the weapon. Therefore, strictly speaking, the bolt of a grenade launcher is essentially not free, but semi-free.
Likewise, the name “automatic grenade launcher” is largely conditional, and is associated not so much with the design of weapons and ammunition, but with the tactical purpose of the weapon, which led, along with under-barrel grenade launchers, to the formation of a new class - “support weapons.”
Structurally and according to the previously established classification, the AGS-17 grenade launcher is a small-caliber automatic cannon, and the grenade launcher's shot is a small-caliber artillery cartridge with a high-explosive fragmentation projectile. In this regard, both the AGS-17 Grenade Launcher and its cartridge have some common features with the German 30-mm MK-108 aircraft gun from World War II and its cartridge with a short sleeve only 90 mm long and a high-explosive projectile (and subsequent developments in the design of this gun) . This remark does not refute the accepted definition of the AGS-17 Grenade Launcher, but only helps to understand the design of the weapon.
The shot is fired from a closed bolt; the firing pin is a separate part and is driven by a trigger. The short barrel of the grenade launcher is mounted in the front part of the grenade launcher body box and is secured with a locking pin. The rectangular shutter moves along the guide grooves of the box. The backward movement of the bolt occurs due to the pressure of the powder gases acting on the bolt through the bottom of the cartridge case, the forward movement is due to the energy of two spiral multi-core return springs, compressed when the bolt is rolled back. The hydraulic brake is located in the bolt body and has a rod protruding from the rear of the bolt. When reloading manually, the bolt is pulled back using a cable system, which is a simple pulley to gain power. When firing, the reloading mechanism remains motionless.
The trigger mechanism allows for both single and continuous fire at two rates: high - 350-400 rounds/min, low - 50-100 rounds/min. The mechanism for changing the rate of fire is hydraulic type, located in the trigger. In the back of the box, on the sides there are two horizontal fire control handles. Between them there is a trigger in the form of a wide key (trigger). The translator is located on the left side of the box.
The grenade launcher is powered by a link metal tape with a “crab” type link. The links are connected by mutual engagement using stamped bends and cutouts and do not have separate connecting parts (in the form of springs, rings, etc.). The link grips hold the shot not by the cartridge case body, but by the grenade body - this is caused by the ratio of the sizes of the grenade and the cartridge case. The longitudinal movement of the shot is limited by the stop of the cartridge case in the bend of the link. The shots are fed by squeezing them in the transverse direction. Tape feed is right-handed. In the infantry version, the belt contains 30 links, but its capacity is 29 shots. This is due to the fact that the tape does not have a shank or false link as a separate part, and this role is played by the outermost empty link, which is inserted into the receiver tray. The tape is placed in a cartridge box with spiral guides, shaped like a snail. The box is mounted on the machine on the right. The tape can be loaded either manually or using a rigging machine. The latter can also be used to unload the tape.
For direct fire at a range of up to 700 m, an open mechanical sight is used, located on the left side of the grenade launcher body, which appeared on grenade launchers in the late 70s. Early release grenade launchers did not have open sights. For shooting at ranges up to and including maximum, including from closed positions, the PAG-17 prismatic optical sight is used. The PAG-17 sight has a 2.7x magnification. At night, it is possible to illuminate the sight scale using a special device mounted on the sight body and a power supply attached to the left leg of the machine.
In the infantry version, the grenade launcher is used on a tripod machine SAG-17 (SAG is an automatic grenade launcher machine). The body weight of the grenade launcher is 18 kg. Machine weight - 12 kg. The weight of the cartridge box with loaded tape is 14.5 kg. The weight of the grenade launcher with mounting and sight is 31 kg. The maximum sighting firing range is 1700 m. The highest trajectory height during mounted shooting is 905 m. The direct shot range at a target 2 m high is 250 m.
Initially, the grenade launcher barrel had a thin-walled aluminum radiator with a wavy outer surface. Since the beginning of the 90s. The grenade launcher barrel is made without a radiator - its role is played by the fins on the outer surface of the thickened walls of the barrel.
In addition to the infantry version, an aviation version is produced - AG-17A (213P-A), which was put into service in 1980. The AG-17A is housed in an suspended closed gondola GUV (universal helicopter gondola) with an ammunition load of 300 rounds in a single belt and is used to arm combat vehicles. helicopters. Unlike the infantry version, the aviation version of the grenade launcher is equipped with an electric trigger, has a shot counter, and the rate of fire is increased to 420-500 rounds/min. The barrel is equipped with a massive radiator, which helps cool the barrel at a more intense rate of fire. Since the grenade gains additional speed when fired from a flying carrier (helicopter), the barrel rifling pitch is reduced from 715 mm to 600 mm to increase the rotation speed of the grenade and ensure its stabilization in flight. Body weight of AG-17A is 22 kg.
The AG-17 is also used as armament on combat boats (AG-17M) in a turret installation. In this version, the grenade launcher is equipped with a radiator similar to an aircraft one, but has a mechanical trigger. The AGS-17 grenade launcher is also included in the weapons complex of the BMD-3 and a number of designed combat vehicles. On the BMD-3, the grenade launcher is installed on the directional mount, to the left of the driver. If necessary, it can be removed and used as an infantry unit.
The grenade launcher is served by two soldiers - a gunner and an assistant gunner. The crew may additionally include an ammunition carrier.
— 30-mm anti-personnel automatic grenade launcher system.
At the request of the customer, the AGS-30 can be equipped with a day-night sighting system; a radar sight can be used to monitor the situation and conduct targeted fire in conditions of complete lack of optical visibility.
The small dimensions of the AGS-30 complex and the design features of the machine provide the ability to quickly change the firing position, firing from window openings and unprepared positions.
A large horizontal firing sector allows you to quickly transfer fire to a suddenly appearing target. In the stowed position, the machine and the grenade launcher fold compactly and are carried behind the back on belts.
The AGS-30 grenade launcher was adopted by units of the Russian army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, in the infantry version on a tripod, as well as on various armored vehicles, in turret or remote installations.
Performance characteristics
Shot type: 30 mm VOG-17M, VOG-30, GPD-30 and their modifications.
Sighting range of shots: VOG-17M, VOG-30 - up to 1700 m, GPD-30 - up to 2100 m.
Sight: optical, mechanical, radar (portable radar).
Apparent magnification of the optical sight: x 2.7 or x 3.5.
Firing mode: automatic.
Rate of fire: 400 rounds per minute.
Ammo box capacity: 30 shots
Weight: AGS-30 without sight and cartridge box - 16.5 kg.
Target detection range: humans - at least 2 km, equipment - at least 4 km.
Overall dimensions of the complex in the easel version: 490x735x1165 mm.
Overall dimensions of the complex in the machine version: 143x132x837 mm.
The material was prepared based on information from open sources
"pros" and "cons" of democracy
Surveyor. Who is a surveyor? Description of the profession. Profession surveyor Surveyor training
Magellanic clouds: who are they?
Pepper Steak Sauce Creamy Pepper Sauce
How to create a competent portfolio for a designer