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Automatic grenade launcher
Grenade launcher with repeating fire mechanism

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.

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Comparison

NameCountryYearImageCaliberEffective RangeMuzzlevelocityRate offire, rpmApprox.weight15Feed,roundsSights16
Mk 19 Mod 317 United States196640×53mm1,500 m (4,900 ft)241 m/s (790 ft/s)325‑37535.2 kg (78 lb)Belt, 32, 48Night vision
AGS-17 Soviet Union196730×29mm grenade1,700 m (5,600 ft)185 m/s (610 ft/s)40031 kg (68 lb)Belt, 29Optical (requires optional mount)
Mk 47 Striker18 United States200540x53mm1,700 m (5,600 ft)225‑30018 kg (40 lb)Belt, 32, 48FCS, Thermal
HK GMG19 Germany199240x53mm1,500 m (4,900 ft)241 m/s (790 ft/s)34029 kg (64 lb)Belt, 32Reflex, "Various"
SB-40 LAG Spain198440x53mm1,500 m (4,900 ft)240 m/s (790 ft/s)21534 kg (75 lb)Belt, 24, 32Night vision
STK 40 AGL20 Singapore198640x53mm1,500 m (4,900 ft)242 m/s (790 ft/s)350‑50033 kg21Belt, 32Reflex, FCS, Thermal
Daewoo K422 South Korea198540x53mm1,500 m (4,900 ft)241 m/s (790 ft/s)325-37534.4 kg (76 lb)Belt, 24, 48KAN/TVS-5 night vision scope can be attached
Howa Type 9623 Japan199640x53mm1,500 m (4,900 ft)242 m/s (790 ft/s)250‑35024.5 kg (54 lb)Belt, 50Ladder sights
Denel Y3 AGL24 South Africa199240x53mm2,176 m

(7,100 ft)

242 m/s (790 ft/s)280‑32032 kg (71 lb)Belt, 20Optical, Indirect electronic sight
UAG-4025 Ukraine201640x53mm2,200 m (7,200 ft)240 m/s (790 ft/s)40031 kg (68 lb)Belt, 32Optical, Infrared, Photo‑Visual, Electronic26
AGA-40 Md.852728 Romania198540x74.5mm1,400 m (4,600 ft)216 m/s (710 ft/s)380‑45033 kg (73 lb)Mag., 10Ladder sights
AGS‑30 Atlant293031 Russia199030x29mm2,100 m (6,900 ft)185 m/s (610 ft/s)40017.5 kg (39 lb)Belt, 29Optical, Day‑Night, Radar sight
AGS‑40 Balkan3233 Russia201740x53mm(caseless)2,500 m

(8,200 ft)

225 m/s (740 ft/s)40032 kg (71 lb)Belt, 20Optical
QLZ-873435 China198735x32mm1,700 m (5,600 ft)200 m/s (660 ft/s)50012 kg (26 lb)/20 kg (44 lb)Mag., 6, 9, 12, 15Optical
QLZ-0436 China200435x32mm1,750 m (5,740 ft)200 m/s (660 ft/s)350-40020 kg (44 lb)Belt, 30Optical
RDS40-AGL3738 Turkey202240x53mm2,000 m (6,600 ft)240 m/s (790 ft/s)300-37535 kg (77 lb)Belt, 32,48

Ammunition

40×74.5mm 3930×29mm40mm "Balkan"35×32mm 40
HEHEATVOG-30 4142GPD-30 43447P39 4546HEHEAT
Max. range1,550 m (5,090 ft)1,700 m (5,600 ft)2,100 m (6,900 ft)2,500 m (8,200 ft)1,750 m (5,740 ft)
Muzzle velocity223 m/s (730 ft/s)185 m/s (610 ft/s)200 m/s (660 ft/s)
Weight490 g (1.08 lb)348 g (0.767 lb)340 g (0.75 lb)430 g (0.95 lb)
Shell weight260 g (0.57 lb)275 g (0.606 lb)
Filling47 g (1.7 oz)90 g (3.2 oz)
Kill radius/area10 m (33 ft)90 m2 (970 sq ft)120 m2 (1,300 sq ft)
Penetration50 mm (2.0 in)80 mm (3.1 in)

See also

References

  1. "GRENADE LAUNCHERS AND THEIR AMMUNITION: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS". Archived from the original on 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2017-08-24. http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=2944

  2. "CASW (Close Area Suppression Weapon System) Automatic Grenade Launcher — MERX Notice of Proposed Procurement". Canadian American Strategic Review. August 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-05. Retrieved 2015-03-09. http://www.casr.ca/doc-npp-casw-agl.htm

  3. "Background – CASW Project – Company Area Suppression Weapon". Canadian American Strategic Review. December 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-08-08. Retrieved 2015-03-09. In its current form, the Mk19 mod 3, this AGL has become the weapon of choice among US ground troops in Iraq – primarily because the AGL offers both direct (to 1,600 meters) and indirect fire (to 2,200 meters). http://casr.ca/bg-casw2.htm

  4. Spencer C. Tucker (20 May 2011). The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History. ABC-CLIO. p. 431. ISBN 978-1-85109-961-0. Archived from the original on 17 May 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016. 978-1-85109-961-0

  5. Dennis J. Blasko (17 June 2013). The Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century. Routledge. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-136-51997-0. Archived from the original on 19 May 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016. 978-1-136-51997-0

  6. "CASW (Close Area Suppression Weapon System) Automatic Grenade Launcher — MERX Notice of Proposed Procurement". Canadian American Strategic Review. August 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-05. Retrieved 2015-03-09. http://www.casr.ca/doc-npp-casw-agl.htm

  7. "Background – CASW Project – Company Area Suppression Weapon". Canadian American Strategic Review. December 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-08-08. Retrieved 2015-03-09. In its current form, the Mk19 mod 3, this AGL has become the weapon of choice among US ground troops in Iraq – primarily because the AGL offers both direct (to 1,600 meters) and indirect fire (to 2,200 meters). http://casr.ca/bg-casw2.htm

  8. "CASW (Close Area Suppression Weapon System) Automatic Grenade Launcher — MERX Notice of Proposed Procurement". Canadian American Strategic Review. August 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-05. Retrieved 2015-03-09. http://www.casr.ca/doc-npp-casw-agl.htm

  9. "Background – CASW Project – Company Area Suppression Weapon". Canadian American Strategic Review. December 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-08-08. Retrieved 2015-03-09. In its current form, the Mk19 mod 3, this AGL has become the weapon of choice among US ground troops in Iraq – primarily because the AGL offers both direct (to 1,600 meters) and indirect fire (to 2,200 meters). http://casr.ca/bg-casw2.htm

  10. "A new generation of AGLs". Armada International. 2002-04-01. Archived from the original on 2011-04-30. Retrieved 2015-03-09. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+new+generation+of+AGLs%3A+within+only+a+few+decades+the+Automatic...-a086195789

  11. "A new generation of AGLs". Armada International. 2002-04-01. Archived from the original on 2011-04-30. Retrieved 2015-03-09. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+new+generation+of+AGLs%3A+within+only+a+few+decades+the+Automatic...-a086195789

  12. Us Future Combat & Weapon Systems Handbook. International Business Publications. 30 March 2009. p. 265. ISBN 978-1-4387-5447-5. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016. 978-1-4387-5447-5

  13. "CASW (Close Area Suppression Weapon System) Automatic Grenade Launcher — MERX Notice of Proposed Procurement". Canadian American Strategic Review. August 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-05. Retrieved 2015-03-09. http://www.casr.ca/doc-npp-casw-agl.htm

  14. "Background — CASW Candidates Operating Systems – Long Recoil". Canadian American Strategic Review. December 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-08-08. Retrieved 2015-03-09. The long recoil operating system's obvious advantage is the compact gun body. While this compensates for the weapon's internal complications, that moving barrel might also result in first-round aiming inaccuracies. The AGL designers are willing to overlook this in exchange for reduced weight (in comparison to a blowback design) and for the portability inherent in a smaller weapon (even if weight reduction is modest). In any case, great accuracy is not the forte of the AGLs. http://casr.ca/bg-casw2.htm

  15. Without ammo, with default sights.

  16. Normally includes iron sights.

  17. [1] [dead link‍] http://www.gdatp.com/factsheets/A045_MK19.pdf

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  21. "ST Kinetics (CIS) 40 AGL". Archived from the original on 2018-01-28. Retrieved 2019-05-31. https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=1161

  22. "Defense Products - S&T Motiv" (PDF). S&T Motiv. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2015. http://www.sntmotiv.com/eng/business/data/defence_catalog.pdf

  23. "96 formula 40 mm automatic gun gun". via wayback machine. 6 January 2009. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20090106230736/http://rightwing.sakura.ne.jp/equipment/jgsdf/infantry/type96grenade-launcher/type96grenade-launcher.html

  24. "40 ml Y3 AGL" (PDF). Iieexport.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-22. Retrieved 21 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141022011458/http://www.iieexport.com/files/AGLBROCHURE2.pdf

  25. "Leninska Kuznya Plant Joint Stock Co". Lk.com.au. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2014. http://www.lk.com.ua/specials/armament/grenadelauncher-uag40.php?lang=en

  26. "мотреть Український автоматичний гранатомет УАГ-40 онлайн". Video.i.ua. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2014. http://video.i.ua/user/3871267/58517/331547/

  27. "Arme uitate". Romania Military. 15 December 2011. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230312211139/https://www.rumaniamilitary.ro/arme-uitate-2

  28. Production status is unclear.

  29. "AGS-30". Archived from the original on 2013-10-22. Retrieved 2013-05-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20131022041711/http://www.kbptula.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=132&Itemid=443&lang=en

  30. "Open Joint Stock Company "V.A.Degtyarev Plant" / AGS-30 30 mm antipersonnel automatic grenade launching system". Kbptula.ru. Archived from the original on 2014-10-27. Retrieved 21 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141027132420/http://zid.ru/eng/products/47/detail/228

  31. "ГПД-30, 30 мм гранатометный выстрел". Archived from the original on 2013-07-06. Retrieved 2013-05-11. https://archive.today/20130706070810/http://www.arms-expo.ru/056051054057124050056057052055.html

  32. "Military Defense Industry Technology - AGS-40 Balkan". Archived from the original on 2017-08-17. Retrieved 2017-08-19. https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/new_ags-40_balkan_40mm_automatic_grenade_launcher_will_enter_in_service_with_russian_army_tass_11311161.html

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  34. Can be fired from bipod.

  35. "QLZ87 35mm Automatic Grenade Launcher". Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130212225521/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/crewserved/qlz87.asp

  36. "QLZ-04". weapon system. https://weaponsystems.net/system/1020-BB02%20-%20QLZ04

  37. "RDS40-AGL - AR-NAMIS". AR-NAMIMS. Archived from the original on Mar 19, 2025. Retrieved Mar 19, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20250319174517/https://www.ar-namis.kz/product/rds40-agl-en/

  38. "Repkon Defence's 40 mm Automatic Grenade Launcher can be used on land, air and sea platforms". Defense Here. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved Mar 19, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20230608154359/https://www.defensehere.com/en/repkon-defenses-40-mm-automatic-grenade-launcher-can-be-used-on-land-air-and-sea-platforms

  39. "Arme uitate". Romania Military. 15 December 2011. Archived from the original on 12 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230312211139/https://www.rumaniamilitary.ro/arme-uitate-2

  40. "QLZ87 35mm Automatic Grenade Launcher". Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130212225521/http://www.sinodefence.com/army/crewserved/qlz87.asp

  41. "Выстрел ВОГ-17 (ВОГ-17А) / ВОГ-17М / ВОГ-30 / ГПД-30". Weapon.at.au. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014. http://weapon.at.ua/board/25-1-0-46

  42. Книга: Боевое стрелковое оружие России (in Russian). E-reading-lib.org. Archived from the original on 9 June 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2014. Книга: Боевое стрелковое оружие России

  43. "ГПД-30, 30 мм гранатометный выстрел". Archived from the original on 2013-07-06. Retrieved 2013-05-11. https://archive.today/20130706070810/http://www.arms-expo.ru/056051054057124050056057052055.html

  44. "ГПД-30" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2009. Retrieved May 11, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20090306043430/http://www.tulatskib.ru/patr_pdf/GPD30.pdf

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  46. "IDEX 2019: Tecmash unveils AGS-40 grenade launcher - EDR Magazine". 20 February 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-04-13. https://www.edrmagazine.eu/idex-2019-tecmash-unveils-ags-40-grenade-launcher