An automatic grenade launcher (AGL) or grenade machine gun is a grenade launcher that is capable of fully automatic fire, and is typically loaded with either an ammunition belt or magazine.
These weapons are often mounted on vehicles or helicopters, as when these weapons are moved by infantry the weapon, its tripod, and ammunition, are a heavy load, requiring a small team. Other types of grenade launchers are typically much lighter and can easily be carried by just a single soldier.
The Mark 19 Automatic Grenade Launcher, first fielded by the United States in 1966, and still widely used today, weighs 62.5 kg (137.58 lb) when attached to its tripod, and loaded with a box of ammunition. For comparison, the single-shot M79 grenade launcher weighs 2.93 kg (6.45 lb). Regardless of their weight, AGLs are still highly effective, and the Mark 19 is capable of indirect fire up to 2,200 metres, a role traditionally reserved for mortars. Even though the round carries less explosive than a 60mm mortar shell, this is thought to be counterbalanced by its much higher volume of fire.
The most popular caliber for automatic grenade launchers in Western nations has been 40mm. The Soviet Union successfully fielded a 30mm grenade launcher, the AGS-17, during its war in Afghanistan. In 2002, Russia introduced a successor weapon, the AGS-30, and in 2017, the AGS-40 Balkan. Traditional munitions for automatic grenade launchers include high explosive, fragmentation, and shaped charge for attacking light armored vehicles. Less lethal rounds, like tear gas and sponge grenades for crowd control, have also been made. In the 21st century, AGLs have been made with integrated sight/range systems which can set a fused round to detonate precisely on, above, or behind a designated target.
Different weapons use different methods of operation, with blowback and long recoil being two common choices. In all these weapons, the energy released by firing a round loads the next round into the weapon's breech. The Mark 19 is automatically reloaded through the blowback method, where expanding gases blow back the firing bolt.
In the long recoil method the bolt is fixed to the firing chamber, and the whole firing chamber is blown back. These weapons are slightly less accurate, but weigh less than blowback weapons. General Dynamics manufactures a long recoil weapon, the Mark 47 Automatic Grenade Launcher, as does the Spanish firm Santa Bárbara. The LAG-40 manufactured by Santa Bárbara has a relatively low rate of fire of 215 rounds per minute.
Comparison NameCountryYearImage Caliber Effective Range Muzzlevelocity Rate offire, rpm Approx.weightWithout ammo, with default sights. Feed,rounds SightsNormally includes iron sights.Mk 19 Mod 3 196640×53mm 325‑375 Belt, 32, 48 Night visionAGS-17196730×29mm grenade400Belt, 29Optical (requires optional mount) Mk 47 Striker2005 40x53mm — 225‑300 Belt, 32, 48 FCS, Thermal HK GMG1992 40x53mm 340 Belt, 32 Reflex, "Various" SB-40 LAG1984 40x53mm 215 Belt, 24, 32 Night visionSTK 40 AGL1986 40x53mm 350‑500 33 kg Belt, 32 Reflex, FCS, ThermalDaewoo K41985 40x53mm 325-375 Belt, 24, 48 KAN/TVS-5 night vision scope can be attachedHowa Type 961996 40x56mm 250‑350 Belt, 50 Ladder sights Denel Y3 AGL1992 40x53mm 2,176 m (7,100 ft) 280‑320 Belt, 20 Optical, Indirect electronic sightUAG-402016 40x53mm 400 Belt, 32 Optical, Infrared, Photo‑Visual, ElectronicAGA-40 Md.85Production status is unclear.1985 40x74.5mm 380‑450 Mag., 10 Ladder sightsAGS‑30 Atlant1990 30x29mm 400 Belt, 29 Optical, Day‑Night, Radar sight AGS‑40 Balkan2017 40x53mm(caseless) 2,500 m (8,200 ft) 400 Belt, 20 Optical QLZ-87Can be fired from bipod.1987 35x32mm 500 / Mag., 6, 9, 12, 15 Optical QLZ-042004 35x32mm 350-400 Belt, 30 Optical RDS40-AGL2022 40x53mm 300-375 Belt, 32,48
Ammunition
40×74.5mm 30×29mm 40mm "Balkan" 35×32mm HE HEAT VOG-30 GPD-30 7P39 HE HEAT Max. range Muzzle velocity — Weight — — Shell weight — — — Filling — — — — — Kill radius/area — — — — Penetration — — — — —
See also List of grenade launchers Taubina AG-2 Grenade Launcher, a Soviet prototype automatic grenade launcher from Interbellum period. Vasilyek XM174, US low velocity (40x46mm) automatic grenade launcher tested and in limited use in Vietnam Raufoss Mk 211
References