AGS-40 Balkan explained
AGS-40 Balkan |
Origin: | Russia |
Type: | Automatic grenade launcher |
Is Ranged: | yes |
Is Explosive: | yes |
Service: | 2017–present |
Used By: | See Users |
Designer: | TsKIB SOO GNPP "Pribor" |
Design Date: | 1980–2017 |
Manufacturer: | Tecmash Research and Production Association |
Production Date: | 2017–present |
Weight: | 32kg (71lb) unloaded on tripod 46kg (101lb) on tripod loaded with drum of 20 rounds |
Cartridge: | Caseless 40 mm grenade |
Action: | Gas Piston, Open Bolt |
Rate: | 400 rpm |
Max Range: | 2500m (8,200feet) |
Feed: | 20 grenade disintegrating belt in drum |
Sights: | PAG-17, iron sights |
AGS‑40 Balkan is a Russian 40 mm caseless automatic grenade launcher and successor to AGS-17 and AGS-30, introduced and adopted by the Russian military.[1] [2] [3]
Design
The AGS-40 uses 40 mm CL (caseless) grenades with a range of 2,500 m (compared to the 30 mm grenades with range 1,700 for AGS-17 and 2,100 for AGS-30) and a rate of fire of 400 rounds per minute, with short burst (5 rounds), long burst (10 rounds), and continuous fire modes. The weapon is usually equipped with a tripod and a PAG-17 2.7× telescopic sight; it can also have back-up iron sights installed.[4]
A unique feature of the AGS-40 is a detachable seat that allows for more stable shooting using the weight of an operator.[5]
Ammunition
Development
Development of the AGS-40 started in 1980 but stalled after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the subsequent economic decline in Russia. However, the project was revived in the early 1990s under the codename "Balkan", and was put into operational evaluation in 2018.[1] [7] State tests were successfully completed and the weapon was recommended for introduction into service as of March 2021.[8] The first serial batch was delivered in January 2022.[9] AGS-40 can be installed on armored vehicles.[10] The AGS-40 can be integrated with Kalashnikov MBDU remote weapon station.[11]
Users
Notes and References
- Web site: Russia tests the AGS-40 Balkan 40mm automatic grenade launcher in operational situation . Army Recognition . April 20, 2017 . December 9, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170824181258/https://www.armyrecognition.com/april_2017_global_defense_security_news_industry/russia_tests_the_ags-40_balkan_40mm_automatic_grenade_launcher_in_operational_situation_tass_82004172.html . August 24, 2017 . live .
- Web site: Grenade Launchers and their Ammunition: International Developments. Small Arms Defense Journal. 6 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20171211081647/http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=2944. 11 December 2017. live.
- Web site: Russia to Adopt the AGS-40 "BALKAN" Automatic Grenade Launcher in 2018 -The Firearm Blog . 9 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190413214836/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/01/09/russia-adopt-ags-40-balkan-automatic-grenade-launcher-2018/ . 2019-04-13 . live .
- Web site: Russia to Adopt the AGS-40 "BALKAN" Automatic Grenade Launcher in 2018. 9 January 2018. 12 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180213135119/http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2018/01/09/russia-adopt-ags-40-balkan-automatic-grenade-launcher-2018/. 13 February 2018. live.
- Web site: Chair-grenade launcher AGS-40 "Balkan": come, sit, shoot - Health & Beauty. 14 May 2017. Wehealthbeauty.com. 6 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20171212084211/http://wehealthbeauty.com/chair-grenade-launcher-ags-40-balkan-come-sit-shoot/. 12 December 2017. live.
- Web site: IDEX 2019: Tecmash unveils AGS-40 grenade launcher - EDR Magazine . 20 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190413223807/https://www.edrmagazine.eu/idex-2019-tecmash-unveils-ags-40-grenade-launcher . 2019-04-13 . live .
- Web site: Popenker, Maxim . "Balkan" automatic grenade launcher . 28 October 2010 . Modern Firearms . 2017-12-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180101200810/http://modernfirearms.net/en/grenade-launchers/russia-grenade-launchers/balkan-eng/ . 2018-01-01 . live .
- Web site: Russia's Balkan grenade launcher successfully passes state trials. 2021-06-21. TASS.
- Web site: Defense firm delivers first serial batch of latest grenade launchers to Russian troops.
- Web site: The Terminator is Russia's Ultimate Fighting Vehicle . 27 February 2018 . 2019-05-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190112194941/https://warisboring.com/the-terminator-is-russias-ultimate-fighting-vehicle/ . 2019-01-12 . live .
- Web site: Kalashnikov Group upgrades its MBDU weapon station Tass 51102161. Army Recognition. 6 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20171211082025/https://www.armyrecognition.com/february_2016_global_defense_security_news_industry/kalashnikov_group_upgrades_its_mbdu_weapon_station_tass_51102161.html. 11 December 2017. live.