The Soviet mounted automatic grenade launcher AGS-17 was developed in the Nudelman Design Bureau and put into service in 1970. It is designed to eliminate enemy 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, it can hit the enemy with flat and mounted fire. The weapon is still in service with the Russian army. Dozens of countries near and far abroad also 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 proved its effectiveness in practice in dozens of conflicts. The first real tests of weapons 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 the Mujahideen. Weapons also took part in the first and second Chechen campaigns. Now it is operated in Syria.
Serial production of the modification in question has been launched at the machine-building plant"The hammer". 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 designer Taubin in the 30s of the last century. Combining the rate of fire with the destructive effect of fragments turned out to be a pretty good idea. The new type of weapon interested the Ministry of Defense, prototypes were created and trial tests were carried out.
The development of the grenade launcher was carried out by OKB-16, at that time already headed by Nudelman. The first working layout was completed in 1967. After testing and making some adjustments to the design, the model was adopted.
Features
AGS-17 in its class belongs to a small-caliber automatic gun. It fires small-caliber artillery shells with high-explosive fragmentation. The name of the weapon is more related to its tactical tasks, rather than structural features. Together with the underbarrel counterparts, the modification in question formed a new category - support weapons.
The first baptism of fire of the grenade launcher took place during the period of the Vietnamese-Chinese conflict, and the war in Afghanistan, where the gun showed itself exclusively on the positive side, became a real test. The first versions were equipped with a barrel with an aluminum cooling radiator, and later models were equipped with fins on the outer working surface.
Design and principle of operation
The AGS-17 grenade launcher functions by rolling back the free shutter. Atshot, powder gases act on the bottom of the sleeve, throwing the bolt to the rearmost position. As a result, the return springs are compressed, the next charge is supplied to the forwarding line to the input window, as well as the subsequent reflection of the spent element. When the shutter rolls, the ammunition is delivered to the chamber and the drummer is cocked. At the time of arrival of the locking part to the extreme frontal position, the shutter is disconnected from the striker. He, driven back under the pressure of the mainspring, hits the striker lever. The igniter cap heats up and fires.
The AGS-17 design 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 that serves to extract the spent cartridge case.
A hydraulic recoil brake is placed in the inner part of the shutter. It optimizes automation, increasing the accuracy and accuracy of firing. This assembly includes a piston rod, a cylinder filled with kerosene and a flange to prevent fluid from escaping. When rolling back, the brake block stops on the butt plate, and in the case of moving forward, it rests against the special protrusions of the receiver.
Other nodes and elements
A mechanism is provided in the cover of the receiverreloading, which includes a clip, a cable and a handle in the form of the letter "T". The shutter is retracted while pulling the cable. When firing from the AGS-17, the reload unit remains stationary.
Impact part - trigger type. When descending, there is an impact on the lever of the striker located in the gate. The trigger mechanism is located on the left side of the receiver. The grenade launcher has a flag fuse that locks the sear. A mechanism for adjusting the rate of fire is also provided, its functionality depends on the duration of the gun automation cycle. Upper fixed position - up to 400 rounds, lower position - up to 100 rounds (per minute).
The weapon is controlled by a pair of horizontal folding handles, between which the trigger lever is placed. The feeding tape of the grenade launcher is metal with open links. It is placed in a round box mounted on the right side of the receiver. The feed mechanism includes a spring-loaded rammer and a lever with a roller. The spent tape is removed from the seat down using a special reflector.
The magazine carrying box has a handle, a lid, a flap with latches, and a special curtain designed to mask the neck during transportation. Tape for shots can be loaded manually or by means of a special machine. A magazine with 30 links with cartridges is placed in the box, the last of them is inserted into the receiver, plays the role of a shank.
Aiming system
To aim an automatic grenade launcher at a targetused optical sight type PAG-17. It is mounted on a bracket 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 when firing from indirect positions. The system, in addition to optics, also includes a mechanical sight from the front sight and rear sight.
The tool is mounted on the SAG-17 machine. In the stowed position, it folds and moves with the second calculation number. All supports of the device are adjustable, which makes the use of the grenade launcher convenient, regardless of the situation and the terrain.
TTX AGS-17
The following are the main parameters of the tactical and technical plan:
- caliber - 30 mm;
- barrel length (total) - 29 (84) cm;
- weight with machine - 52 kg;
- rate of fire - 65 volleys per minute;
- damage radius - 7 m;
- starting speed of ammunition - 120 m/s;
- combat crew - 2-3 people;
- sighting range - 1.7 km.
Modifications
Several variations of the grenade launcher in question have been developed:
- AGS "Flame". The basic equipment of the tool, mounted on a tripod machine type SAG-17.
- AGS-17-30. Aviation modification, developed in 1980. The model differs from the standard version by the presence of an electronic trigger, a volley counter, a reduced pitch of barrel rifling, an accelerated rate of fire, and an enlarged radiatorcooling. The grenade launcher was usually located in a special hanging container.
- 17-D. Version installed on the BMP type "Terminator".
- 17-M. Marine modification mounted on combat boats and BMP-3.
- KBA-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.
AGS-17 grenades
Several types of charges can be used as ammunition for the specified grenade launcher. The most commonly used shells are VOG-17 and VOG-17M. Each cartridge consists of a cartridge case, a powder charge, a grenade (with a thin-walled body and an internal filling of rectangular wire), and an instantaneous fuse.
During the execution of the shot, the capsule heats up, the powder charge ignites in the sleeve, a volley is fired. The fuse is activated in a combat position only after 50-100 meters of flight, ensuring the safety of the maintenance crew. The upgraded ammunition VOG-17M is a grenade equipped with a self-destruction system. The gun is also designed for the operation of practical shots. For example, the VUS-17 charge instead of an explosive contains a pyrotechnic filling that produces orange smoke at the point of impact. Training cartridges have also been created for the grenade launcher.
Operation and maintenance
The crew of AGS-17, the characteristics of which are given above, consists of two fighters. If necessary, it may include a carrier of shells. The fire is usuallyin automatic mode, although shooting is also provided in a single version. Hitting targets with short bursts of 3-5 grenades is considered the most effective.
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 easy, since the mass of the grenade launcher is 18 kg (with a machine tool - 52 kg). This is without taking into account the weight of the ammunition. A similar feature refers to the main drawback of the weapon. The rest of the AGS-17 is a reliable and efficient automatic grenade launcher, easy to maintain and operate. Disassembly of the model does not require additional tools, it is carried out without problems in the field. The weapon proved its viability and right to exist many times in practice, participating in various wars and conflicts. We can safely say that in many respects the model is superior to its foreign competitors.
Result
Automatic grenade launcher AGS-17, despite its considerable age, is still "in service" This indicates its reliability and effectiveness. An additional advantage of the weapon is its versatility, which allows you to work with it not only from the machine, but also from aviation, land and sea armored vehicles.
