AGS-17 Plamya
Overview
AGS-17
Russian SOBR troops with AGS-17 grenade launcher.
Source: www.izhevsk.club.guns.ru -
© copyright lies with original owner
1970 (Soviet state trials)
Foreign production continues
Russia - VPMZ Molot
Bulgaria - Arsenal
China - Norinco
Serbia - Zastava
Vietnam - Z125 Factory
Nickname, Russian for "flame"
6G11 (GRAU index for system)
6G10 (GRAU index for launcher)
M93 (Serbian production)
30 KrKK AGS-17 (Finnish service)
Description
Introduction
The AGS-17 is an automatic grenade launcher of Soviet origin. It was designed in the late 1960's triggered by the American use automatic grenade launchers in Vietnam. Such a weapon was thought to be an excellent weapon to fight off the waves of Chinese infantry as experienced in the earlier Sino-Soviet border conflict. AGS stands for "Avtomatischeskyi Granatmyot Stankovyi", which is Russian for . It is also kwown under the nickname "Plamya", which is Russian for "flame".
Design
The AGS-17 is a blowback operated weapon that fires the 30mm grenades from 30 round belts. The rifled barrel features cooling ribs and can be changed quickly. The belts are held in a metal drum and feed from right to left. Most AGS-17 are fitted on a foldable tripod. Iron sights and an optical sight are fitted. A special model has been developed for use on helicopters.
Firepower
The AGS-17 fires 30x28mm grenades from 29 round belts. The AGS-17 is a select-fire weapon with a cyclic rate of fire is 350 to 400 rounds per minute. The maximum effective range is 1.7 km. Grenades with increased lethality and range were developed for the AGS-30. These can be fired from the AGS-17 as well. The helicopter model has an increased rate of fire of 420 to 500 rpm.
Users
The AGS-17 was widely used by Soviet forces and remains in widespread use today. The AGS-17 was also exported to most Soviet allies. It is a common weapon in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America. The AGS-17 is produced, either with or without license, in several nations.
Variants
Overview of AGS-17 variants
AGS-17
The AGS-17 is the orignal model of the AGS-17 family. It is mounted on a tripod and can be fitted on vehicles as well, although this is uncommon. In Russia the AGS-17 has been replaced in production by the product improved AGS-30. Several other nations still produce the AGS-17 in its original guise.
AG-17A
The AG-17A is a derivative developed for use on helicopters. It has a heavier barrel with heat shield, increased rate of fire and is solenoid fired. The AG-17A is also used on various armored vehicles. The AG-17A is usually fed by a 300 round belt. The AG-17D is a variant for vehicle use. It is similar to the AG-17A, but lacks the large heat shield.
AGS-30
The AGS-30 "Atlant" is a product improved version of the AGS-17. It has much fewer parts and is much lighter. The AGS-30 can be identified by its flat top. The whole weapon system is also much lighter as a much lighter tripod is used and the ammunition box is lighter as well. The AGS-30 is described in further detail in a separate article
Details
Media
AGS-17
Forward view of AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher.
Source: www.imageshack.us
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
AGS-17
Russian MVD troops with AGS-17.
Source: RomanS @ www.militaryphotos.net
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
AGS-17
Naval infantry with AGS-17.
Source: www.imageshack.us
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
Mk 19 MOD 3
The AGS-17 can be considered the Soviet counterpart of the American Mk 19 grenade machine gun. However, it is more aimed at infantry use. As such it is a smaller weapon firing a smaller grenade.