AGS-30
Encyclopedia
The AGS-30 is a Russia
n-designed automatic grenade launcher
currently in production in the Russian Federation and in service with the Russian armed forces.
, the AGS-30 provides better mobility, longer range, increased rate of fire and better accuracy during firing. Significantly lighter than its previous version but far more advanced and powerful, the AGS-30 weighs 30 kg loaded, meaning it can be carried by one person. Using a specially designed grenade
, the AGS-30 can engage targets at over 2000m. Recoil is lessened with a much smoother grenade ejection mechanism. An adjustable tripod mount is also included.
found itself in a difficult position in the First Chechen war
. After the success of AGS-17
in Afghanistan
, the KBP Instrument Design Bureau
immediately began work on the new grenade launcher
. The Russian army needed a weapon that could easily flush out militants out of their fortified building hideouts and level them in seconds. The new design proved to be reliable and lethal. Another improvement to the weapon is its ability to stay undetectable by the enemy - reduced sound when firing, reduced flash and the lightning speed of the grenade make the AGS-30 very hard to detect. It can be operated from almost everywhere - from attaching it to a window, to mud and grassy surfaces.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n-designed automatic grenade launcher
Automatic grenade launcher
An automatic grenade launcher or grenade machine gun is a grenade launcher firing rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine. They can be attached to a tripod. Automatic launchers include the Vektor Y3, AGS-17, and the HK GMG, which all fire at a higher velocity...
currently in production in the Russian Federation and in service with the Russian armed forces.
Description
Designed on the basis of AGS-17AGS-17
The AGS-17 Plamya is a Soviet-designed automatic grenade launcher currently in production in the Russian Federation and in service worldwide.-Description:...
, the AGS-30 provides better mobility, longer range, increased rate of fire and better accuracy during firing. Significantly lighter than its previous version but far more advanced and powerful, the AGS-30 weighs 30 kg loaded, meaning it can be carried by one person. Using a specially designed grenade
Grenade
A grenade is a small explosive device that is projected a safe distance away by its user. Soldiers called grenadiers specialize in the use of grenades. The term hand grenade refers any grenade designed to be hand thrown. Grenade Launchers are firearms designed to fire explosive projectile grenades...
, the AGS-30 can engage targets at over 2000m. Recoil is lessened with a much smoother grenade ejection mechanism. An adjustable tripod mount is also included.
Development
After the dissolution of the USSR, RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
found itself in a difficult position in the First Chechen war
First Chechen War
The First Chechen War, also known as the War in Chechnya, was a conflict between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, fought from December 1994 to August 1996...
. After the success of AGS-17
AGS-17
The AGS-17 Plamya is a Soviet-designed automatic grenade launcher currently in production in the Russian Federation and in service worldwide.-Description:...
in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, the KBP Instrument Design Bureau
KBP Instrument Design Bureau
KBP Instrument Design Bureau is a Russian developer and manufacturer of high-precision weapons. It was established in 1927 in Tula, USSR. Arkady Shipunov has been the Designer General since 1962...
immediately began work on the new grenade launcher
Grenade launcher
A grenade launcher or grenade discharger is a weapon that launches a grenade with more accuracy, higher velocity, and to greater distances than a soldier could throw it by hand....
. The Russian army needed a weapon that could easily flush out militants out of their fortified building hideouts and level them in seconds. The new design proved to be reliable and lethal. Another improvement to the weapon is its ability to stay undetectable by the enemy - reduced sound when firing, reduced flash and the lightning speed of the grenade make the AGS-30 very hard to detect. It can be operated from almost everywhere - from attaching it to a window, to mud and grassy surfaces.
Ammunition
AGS-30 is fed from special belt drums that hold 30 linked rounds. Loaded belt drum weights about 14 kg. Interestingly, spade grips are installed on the gun cradle integral to tripod, instead of the gun body; trigger is located at the right spade grip making firing more controlled and comfortable. The AGS-30 can fire in single shots and full automatic modes. Standard sighting equipment is 2.7X magnification PAG-17 optical sight.See also
- Vektor Y3 AGLVektor Y3 AGLThe Y3 is a South African automatic grenade launcher manufactured by Denel Land Systems. It fires 40x53mm grenades at a rate of 280–320 rounds per minute.It can be vehicle mounted using a special bracket or used with a tripod....
- SB LAG 40SB LAG 40The SB-40 LAG is a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher developed and produced in Spain by the Empresa Nacional Santa Bárbara company .-See also:...
- HK GMG, similar weapon
- XM174 grenade launcherXM174 grenade launcherThe XM174 is a mounted automatic 40mm grenade launcher heavily based on the M1919A4 machine gun and the M79 grenade launcher but fed from an ammo can...
, similar weapon - Milkor MGLMilkor MGLThe MGL is a lightweight 40 mm semi-automatic, 6-shot grenade launcher developed and manufactured in South Africa by Milkor Ltd. The MGL was demonstrated as a concept to the South African Defence Force in 1981. The operating principle was immediately accepted and subjected to a stringent...
, another South African 40 mm grenade launcher - Mk 19 grenade launcherMk 19 grenade launcherThe Mk 19 Grenade Launcher is a 40 mm belt-fed automatic grenade launcher or grenade machine gun that entered U.S. military service during the Cold War, first seeing action during the Vietnam War and remaining in service today.-Overview:...
, similar weapon