Designed on the basis of AGS-17, the AGS-30 provides better mobility, longer range and better accuracy during firing. Significantly lighter than its previous version, the AGS-30 weighs 30kg loaded, meaning it can be carried by one person. Using a specially designed GPD-30grenade,[9] the AGS-30 can engage targets at 2100m.[10] Recoil is lessened with a smoother grenade ejection mechanism. An adjustable SAG-30 tripod mount (GRAU index 6P17) is also included.
Development
After the success of the AGS-17 in Afghanistan, the KBP Instrument Design Bureau began work on a new grenade launcher. The Russian army needed a weapon that could easily flush militants out of their fortified building hideouts. The new design proved to be effective, and it was officially adopted in 2002,[11] and was later adopted by the Russian Interior Ministry Troops.[12]
Ammunition
The AGS-30 is fed from special belt drums that hold 29 linked rounds.[13] The Loaded belt drum weighs about 14kg. Spade grips are installed on a gun cradle integral to the tripod, instead of to the gun body. The AGS-30 can only fire in fully automatic. Standard sighting equipment is a 2.7X magnification PAG-17 optical sight.
AGS-30 uses standard VOG-17M, enhanced fragmentation VOG-30, VOG-30D[14] and extended range GPD-30 grenades.[15][10]
VOG-17M (HE)
IO-30 (HE)
IO-30TP (Practice)
VOG-30 (HE)
VOG-30D (HE)
VUS-30 (Smoke)
GPD-30 (HE)
Variants
AG-30M – Vehicle mounted version with electric trigger mechanism.
