Miniature Artillery: Inside The AGS-17 Automatic Grenade Launcher

The AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher has been used in many conflicts around the globe and is employed by both sides in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. In this article, we’ll dive into the history and design of this iconic miniature artillery piece.

Automatic Grenade Launchers @ TFB:

Polish Companies Working to Produce Automatic Grenade Launcher Colt CZ Buys Mk 47 40mm Grenade Launcher System Russia to Adopt the AGS-40 “BALKAN” Automatic Grenade Launcher in 2018 Belarusian 30mm Handheld Full-Auto Grenade Launcher

The Soviet Union was the first to create an automatic grenade launcher with the 40.8mm AG-2, designed by Yakov Taubin in 1934. Tragically, Taubin’s life ended similarly to that of many prominent Soviet military specialists of his time; he was arrested on fabricated charges of anti-communist activities and sentenced to death by firing squad in 1941. Investigations later revealed that the charges against him included claims of mothballing unfinished weapons and prematurely launching technically incomplete systems into mass production.

This development would have significantly enhanced Soviet company-level support and may have had a significant impact if utilized in World War II. It showed a favorable range and fire rate compared to the light mortars of the day. The latest version of the AG-2 weighed 83 lbs. (37 kg) and utilized a wheeled carriage, a common feature among heavy weapons of the era. Reports from 1940 indicated that several AG-2s participated in battles on the Karelian Isthmus during the Winter War, producing favorable results. However, funding was cut and redirected towards mortar systems, marking the end of the Soviet automatic grenade launcher initiative.

Nearly thirty years after its initial conception, the AGS-17 was developed in the late 1960s and adopted by Soviet forces in 1971. This automatic grenade launcher is chambered for 30x29mmB rounds and designed for infantry support, capable of direct and indirect fire. Noteworthy for its unique design, the AGS-17 features a high-angle elevating tripod and an optical sight calibrated for distances up to 1,730 meters. This allows for effective indirect high-angle fire, providing units with mini artillery support at very close range to extended ranges.

The AGS-17 is a blowback-operated weapon system and fires from the closed bolt position. The unique feature is the charging cable on the weapon’s rear; when charging the gun, the bolt will go rearward and return forward with a grenade into the barrel. On the left side of the weapon is a hydraulic buffer assembly that controls the rate of fire depending on which setting it is set. This mechanism also recharges the trigger assembly.

The AGS-17’s effective range for point targets is 800 meters, with a maximum range of 1,730 meters. However, Russia has developed extended-range ammunition called the GPD-30, which increases the range to 2,100 meters. The VOG-17 30mm ammunition has a lethal radius of 5 to 7 meters. With the introduction of this extended-range ammunition, the AGS-17 can be compared more favorably to the US MK-19.

Additionally, Bulgaria produces an extended-range grenade called the RHV-HEF-LD (High Velocity-High Explosive Fragmentation-Long Distance), which also has a range of 2,100 meters. The VOG-17’s range limitations are attributed to its hi-low pressure cartridge design, similar to that used in under-barrel grenade launchers like the 40x46mm. In contrast, the MK-19 utilizes a high-pressure cartridge design with 40x53mm ammunition.

The 30x29mmB ammunition features a self-destruct fuse that activates after 28 to 36 seconds, theoretically allowing for airburst capabilities. Commonly available ammunition types include the VOG-17, VOG-17M, and VOG-30M fragmentation grenades. These grenades have also been widely utilized as munitions for drones, and they can be modified for hand grenades by removing the fuze element and inserting a UZRG-M hand grenade fuze. This modification is known as the Khattabka among the Al-Khattab fighters in the North Caucasus.

The combat observed in Ukraine has underscored the importance of high-angle fire in urban and trench warfare. This tactic allows forces to launch rounds into trenches and behind structures, with methods to adjust fire effectively from various observers and drones. Both sides involved in the conflict have employed this approach with considerable effort.

The AGS-17 is a remarkably versatile weapon that has been ingeniously adapted to meet the demands of modern warfare. It now includes electronic ballistic fire solution computers, such as the BARS-30, which significantly enhance the probability of achieving a first hit. These adaptations minimize operator errors, reduce adjustment times by 30-50%, and decrease ammunition consumption by two to three times. Modifications, such as mounting thermal optics on field-fabricated rail systems, further improve the AGS-17’s lethality. These enhancements demonstrate the AGS-17’s effectiveness in various combat scenarios, effectively closing the gap with its Western counterparts.

In contrast to Western prepackaged ammunition, Soviet-style ammunition is packaged separately and must be loaded into the weapon before use. The AGS-17 employs a rotary belt loader designed to load 29-round belts, which must be placed into the ammunition can mounted on the gun. This is unlike the West’s pre-linked ammunition. The AGS-17 belts are 30 rounds but are only loaded with 29 rounds, with the first link left empty. This allows the first non-disintegrating link to have enough surface contact with the belt guide rails to properly present the grenade to the bore.

Both sides in the current conflict in Ukraine commonly use hit-and-run or shoot-and-scoot tactics. They often employ buggies or ATVs to approach the enemy, allowing them to set up long-range engagements that disrupt the enemy’s ability to maneuver freely and keep them on their toes.

The AGS-17 is renowned for its durability; it has survived and thrived on the rugged battlefields of Afghanistan and Ukraine. Weighing just 68 lbs. (31 kg), the AGS-17 combines the portability and reliability expected from an automatic grenade launcher. This lightweight yet powerful weapon has been manufactured under license by several countries, including Vietnam, Serbia, China, and Bulgaria. Its use extends to at least 25 countries, demonstrating its global influence and the widespread impact of the AGS-17.

Russia has developed lighter versions, such as the AGS-30, which weighs 35 lbs. (15.8 kg), and the AGS-40, which increases the caliber to 40mm and extends the range to 2,500 meters. The AGS-40 weighs 71 lbs. (32 kg), making it slightly heavier than the AGS-17, but it offers advantages in range and capability.

These developments emphasize the AGS-17’s lasting legacy and versatility on the battlefield. The AGS series of weapons will continue to appear in various conflict zones worldwide, making it essential to understand their operation and capabilities.