AGS-30 Automatic grenade launcher

Zarvan · Oct 13, 2016

The AGS-30 is an improved version of the AGS-17

Country of origin Russia
Entered service 2002
Caliber 30 mm
Cartridge 30x120 mm
Cartridge weight 350 g
Weight (with tripod, unloaded, without sight) 16.5 kg
Weight (loaded, with tripod, with sight) ~ 33 kg
Length 837 mm
Overall length 1 100 mm
Barrel length ?
Muzzle velocity 183 m/s
Cyclic rate of fire 400 rpm
Practical rate of fire 50 - 100 rpm
Magazine capacity belts with 29 rounds
Sighting range 800 m / 1 730 m
Effective range (point targets) 800 m
Maximum range of fire (VOG-17M, VOG-30) 1 700 m
Maximum range of fire (GPD-30) 2 100 m

The AGS-30 is and improved version of theAGS-17, that was adopted back in 1971. It is lighter, more accurate, and has longer range, thanks to the improved ammunition and softer recoil. It development began in the early 1990s. The AGS-30 first appeared in 1999 and was adopted by the Russian Army in 2002. In the Russian Army this weapon is used alongside the old AGS-17. However for some reason it did not replaced the old AGS-17. The AGS-30 is also in service with some other countries.

The AGS stands for Avtomatischeskyi Granatmyot Stankovyi (Russian for Automatic Grenade Launcher Mounted). This weapon is capable of quickly firing large numbers of grenades. It is capable of both direct and indirect firing. This automatic grenade launcher is mainly used to support infantry.

The AGS-30 is normally used on a foldable tripod mount. Alternatively it can be mounted on armored fighting vehicles or helicopters. Furthermore it can be included into remotely-controlled weapon systems. Its vehicle-mounted version comes with electric trigger mechanism.

The AGS-30 is nearly twice lighter than the AGS-17. It is the first weapon of this type, that can be carried together with its tripod mount by a single soldier. Both in travelling and in combat order. A carrying handle allows to haul the weapon on the battlefield in ready-to-fire position.

This automatic grenade launcher is a blowback-operated belt-fed weapon with a removable rifled barrel. It is fired from an open bolt.

The AGS-30 has longer range than the AGS-17 due to improved ammunition and longer barrel. Furthermore it is more accurate than its predecessor due to a softer recoil. It uses the original 30x120 mm VOG-17M high-explosive fragmentation grenades, as well as improved VOG-30 and GPD-30 grenades. The VOG-17M grenade has a claimed kill radius of 7 m.

This weapon comes as standard with a 2.7x magnification optical sight. There are also back-up iron sights for emergency use.

Effective range of the AGS-30 against point targets is 800 m. Maximum range of fire is 1 700 m with VOG-17M and VOG-30 grenades, and 2 100 m with improved GPD-30 grenades.

The grenades are fed in 29-round belts housed in a circular detachable magazine, commonly referred as the "snail". The AGS-30 uses the same belts and magazines as its predecessor. Loaded magazine with a belt weights 16 kg. Each grenade launcher is equipped with 3 magazines.

Variants

AG-30M is a vehicle-mounted version, fitted with electric trigger mechanism. It can be mounted on armored vehicles, helicopters and built-into remotely-controlled weapon stations.

AGS-30
Automatic Grenade Launcher

AGS-30
Automatic Grenade Launcher