DESCRIPTION:
The AGS-17 is a blowback-operated 30-mm automatic grenade launcher which can be mounted on a tripod or vehicle. A prominent drum magazine mounted on the right side holds 29 belted grenade rounds. The nondisintegrating metallic link belt exits from the left side. The short barrel with disc-shaped cooling fins protrudes from a large rectangular receiver. A range table is riveted to the top of the receiver cover; it provides sight settings in Soviet mils for direct fire at ranges from 50 to 1,730 meters and for indirect fire at ranges from 1,000 to 1,730 meters. The 2.6-power illuminated telescopic sight PAG-17 is mounted on the left rear of the launcher. All exposed nonmoving parts are subdued black.
For ground transport, the system breaks down into four parts. The launcher itself weighs 17.86 kilograms and may be enclosed in a canvas carrying case. The sight weighs 0.99 kilograms the folding tripod weighs 11.86 kilograms; and the magazine weighs 14.34 kilograms fully loaded, or 2.87 kilograms empty.
CAPABILITIES:
MRBs have an automatic grenade launcher platoon with six AGS-17 launchers, carried in pairs in three armored vehicles (BTR or BMP). Each of the battalion's three MRCs could receive one vehicle. A platoon of six AGS-17s is also organic to airborne battalions and to assault and parachute battalions in air assault and airmobile assault brigades.
The AGS-17 crew consists of a gunner and two riflemen-assistant gunners. For training, there may be only one assistant. When they dismount, the gunner carries the sight and launcher, the first assistant carries the tripod and a magazine, and the second assistant carries two additional magazines. Dismounted AGS-17s can provide effective fire support for Soviet infantry operating in areas where BTRs, BMPs, and tanks cannot go or where minimum safety distances preclude artillery or air support.
The Soviets designed the AGS-17 to provide their infantry with an area-type suppressive-fire capability. They intend to use it primarily against personnel targets. It probably has some capability to engage soft-skinned and lightly armored vehicles. It is very accurate in the semiautomatic mode; it is also quite effective in area coverage in the automatic mode. The 50-m increments in the range table atop the receiver give some indication of the accuracy against point targets. The gunner can select a "maximum" cyclic rate of fire of 400 rounds per minute or a "minimum" cyclic rate of 100 rounds per minute.
One of the most important characteristics of the AGS-17 is its ability to provide indirect fire from protected positions against enemy troops in trenches, on reverse slopes of hills, or behind wooded areas. The gunner can engage targets by high-angle indirect fire at ranges from 1,000 to 1,730 meters; he can also use direct fire or high-angle direct fire at ranges from 50 to 1,730 meters. The sight reticle can serve as a direct-fire sight for point targets at ranges of up to 700 meters. The range table allows the gunner to adjust his fire rapidly for various ranges without computing elevations for the sight.
LIMITATIONS:
To effectively employ the AGS-17, the gunner must make accurate determinations of distances to all targets. Low muzzle velocity makes grenades susceptible to crosswinds, especially when the weapon fires at high angles. The grenade fuze is armed shortly after leaving the bore. Fuze sensitivity probably preempts firing under conditions of heavy rainfall, high ground cover (grass or brush) within 50 meters of the muzzle, or low-hanging tree limbs.
REMARKS:
Introduction of AGS-17 into Soviet units began in 1974. The acronym, AGS, stands for avtomaticheskiy granatomet stankouyy (automatic grenade launcher on mount). The Soviet nickname for the weapon is Plamya (flame).