Hand grenade launcher RG-1 "Piston" (Ukraine)
New Ukrainian authorities are constantly asking for military assistance from foreign countries. Nevertheless, so far the Ukrainian army receives only promises and little help, the composition and scope of which the foreign partners themselves determine, based on their views, but not from the requirements of Kiev. For this reason, the new Kiev authorities are forced to use existing stocks of weapons and equipment taken from storage and restored to a serviceable condition. In addition, it is proposed to start the production of new types of weapons, which are expected to help the Ukrainian army defeat the “terrorists”.
A few days ago the official website of the Ukrainian Association of Owners weapons reported on the possible adoption of a new grenade launcher developed by Ukrainian specialists. With reference to the Advisor to the President of Ukraine Yuri Biryukov, it is stated that a certain anonymous businessman from Dnepropetrovsk is ready to donate to the Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant PO A.M. Makarova "(" Yuzhmash ") 11 million hryvnia for the production of new weapons. The RG-1 “Piston” grenade launcher offered for serial production and supply to the troops was first shown at the beginning of the last decade, but still remained an interesting model without any particular prospects. Donating to an unnamed entrepreneur can get the project off the ground.
The self-loading manual grenade launcher RG-1 "Piston" was created on the "Yuzhmash" by a team of designers under the direction of Yu.S. Alekseeva, V.V. Serbina, A.I. Zagrebs and N.N. Mezhuyev. According to various sources, the project began in the early or late nineties. At the beginning of the two thousandth, the existence of a new project was told to a wide circle of specialists and the public. Nevertheless, the development of the piston grenade launcher was delayed for a number of reasons, as a result of which reports on the transition to the final stage appeared only in the 2007 year. The RG-1 grenade launcher has not yet been adopted by the Ukrainian army and is not mass-produced.
The RG-1 “Piston” project was created with the aim of significantly enhancing the firepower of rifle subunits at minimal cost. According to some reports, the new RG-1 grenade launcher was proposed as a less complicated replacement for the AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher. When using similar ammunition (VOG-17 fragmentation grenade, 30х29 mm) the Piston grenade launcher has significantly less weight and can also be used and maintained by only one fighter, while the AGS-17 calculation consists of two people.
Modern multiply-charged hand-held grenade launchers are mainly built on a revolving scheme. Ukrainian specialists of the enterprise "Yuzhmash" took a different path and decided to use ammunition from detachable box stores. This idea defined the rest of the look of the new weapon. Grenade launcher RG-1 built on the "classic" scheme used in small arms. All automation units and trigger mechanism are located inside the receiver, in the lower edge of which the receiving window of the store is provided.
Due to the relatively high power of the propellant charge of the VOG-17 grenade, the piston grenade launcher automatics uses the energy of powder gases acting on the mobile gate. When fired under the pressure of powder gases, the sleeve of the shot shifts back and shifts the massive shutter, the movement of which is prevented by the return spring. Shooting is conducted from the closed bolt: before the shot, the bolt is in the extreme forward position and, turning, locks the barrel. When fired, the bolt moves backward, throwing out the cartridge case, after which, under the action of the return spring, it returns to the front position and sends a new shot to the barrel.
To reduce the recoil energy acting on the arrow, the receiver has a damper spring located next to the return spring. The second means of reducing the recoil momentum is a cylindrical muzzle brake mounted on the barrel.
The trigger mechanism of the RG-1 grenade launcher allows firing only single shots. For the safe operation of the weapon there is a safety device with a two-position flag located on the right side of the receiver.
With the piston grenade launcher it is proposed to use box shots for five shots. Store is placed in the receiving window at the bottom of the receiver, the magazine latch is in front of him. Cartridges are thrown through a window in the receiver.
Optical and collimator sights can be used with the WP-1 manual grenade launcher. To install them on the left side of the receiver has a special bracket. Due to the large weight and strong recoil for ease of firing, the weapon is equipped with a folding bipedal bipod. To the rear of the receiver on the hinge is mounted tubular butt with butt pad. If necessary, the shooter can fold it forward and right. On the upper surface of the receiver has a handle. Unlike some types of small arms with a similar handle, the piston grenade launcher does not carry any aiming devices on it.
The specific architecture of the piston grenade launcher affected its size and weight. Weapons without ammunition weighs more than 10 kg and has a length of 905 mm with a barrel length of 300 mm. The heavy weight of the grenade launcher and the strong recoil caused by the ammunition used to some extent make it difficult to use weapons. However, the WG-1 is easier and more mobile than other systems for similar ammunition.
A relatively powerful propellant shot charge and 300-mm barrel provide grenade acceleration to 185 m / s. The WG-1 grenade launcher is said to be capable of sending grenades at a distance of at least 800 m. In addition, some sources mention that the effective firing range can reach 1000 m. The automatic weapon provides a technical rate of fire at the level of 30 rounds per minute. It should be noted that the limited size of the store leads to a significant reduction in the combat rate of fire in comparison with the technical one.
The self-loading hand grenade launcher RG-1 “Piston” was repeatedly demonstrated at various exhibitions and offered for delivery to the armed forces of Ukraine. However, since the first information on this project appeared, no information on orders was announced. Only at the beginning of September did the first reports appear on the possible adoption of the Piston into service. According to Yu. Biryukov, at the end of last August, a proposed grenade launcher was tested at one of the Ukrainian test sites. The presidential adviser also noted that only three signatures of military officials are needed for adopting a new weapon for the Ukrainian army. For obvious reasons, obtaining the required signatures can be one of the most difficult stages in stories the project.
1 - barrel with a muzzle compensator, 2 - body, 3 - lock (locking device)
4 –Button with damper and reverse springs, 5 - shock trigger
6 - Fire Translator, 7 - Example, 8 - Bipod, 9 - Frame with Handle and Pusher
10 - the stem assembly, 11 - lever, 12 - shutter, 13 - shop, 14 - sight
15 - receiver, 16 - guides, 17 - liner, 18 - handle
Judging by the available data, the RG-1 grenade launcher can indeed significantly increase the firepower of rifle subunits. The main advantages of this weapon are used fragmentation ammunition with a solid zone of destruction with a radius of 3,9 m, as well as relatively small dimensions and weight. The piston grenade launcher with a magazine weighs about the same as the Kalashnikov machine gun with a box of 100 cartridges. Thus, from the point of view of transportation and carrying, the grenade launcher differs little from widely used machine guns. It should be noted that foreign revolver grenade launchers have much less weight. For example, the Russian revolving grenade launcher RG-6 (6-X30) without ammunition weighs only 5,6 kg.
However, the WP-1 grenade launcher is not without flaws. The main disadvantage is the insufficient capacity of the store and some features of the weapons associated with it. Thus, in terms of the number of ready-to-use shots, the “Piston” is inferior to modern revolving grenade launchers from other countries, not to mention automatic systems for similar ammunition. In addition, the use of automatics, which makes the weapon heavier, can adversely affect the usability of the weapon. Finally, even when using a muzzle brake and a damper spring, the recoil of the grenade launcher may be too large and limit the flexibility of the weapon.
Until now, the Ukrainian grenade launcher RG-1 "Piston" participated only in tests in the conditions of landfills. With the help of an unknown "benefactor", mass production of this new weapon can be launched. A businessman is ready to donate 11 millions of hryvnias, which can be used to manufacture grenade launchers and release some of them. Nevertheless, some features of the Ukrainian defense industry and the state approach to defense, demonstrated during all the years of independence of the state, cast doubt on the very possibility of launching full-scale production of grenade launchers. It is possible that even generous donations will not help the Piston grenade launcher to go into the series and get rid of the stigma of a prototype.
On the materials of the sites:
http://zbroya.info/
http://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/
http://btvt.narod.ru/
A few days ago the official website of the Ukrainian Association of Owners weapons reported on the possible adoption of a new grenade launcher developed by Ukrainian specialists. With reference to the Advisor to the President of Ukraine Yuri Biryukov, it is stated that a certain anonymous businessman from Dnepropetrovsk is ready to donate to the Yuzhny Machine-Building Plant PO A.M. Makarova "(" Yuzhmash ") 11 million hryvnia for the production of new weapons. The RG-1 “Piston” grenade launcher offered for serial production and supply to the troops was first shown at the beginning of the last decade, but still remained an interesting model without any particular prospects. Donating to an unnamed entrepreneur can get the project off the ground.
The self-loading manual grenade launcher RG-1 "Piston" was created on the "Yuzhmash" by a team of designers under the direction of Yu.S. Alekseeva, V.V. Serbina, A.I. Zagrebs and N.N. Mezhuyev. According to various sources, the project began in the early or late nineties. At the beginning of the two thousandth, the existence of a new project was told to a wide circle of specialists and the public. Nevertheless, the development of the piston grenade launcher was delayed for a number of reasons, as a result of which reports on the transition to the final stage appeared only in the 2007 year. The RG-1 grenade launcher has not yet been adopted by the Ukrainian army and is not mass-produced.
The RG-1 “Piston” project was created with the aim of significantly enhancing the firepower of rifle subunits at minimal cost. According to some reports, the new RG-1 grenade launcher was proposed as a less complicated replacement for the AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher. When using similar ammunition (VOG-17 fragmentation grenade, 30х29 mm) the Piston grenade launcher has significantly less weight and can also be used and maintained by only one fighter, while the AGS-17 calculation consists of two people.
Modern multiply-charged hand-held grenade launchers are mainly built on a revolving scheme. Ukrainian specialists of the enterprise "Yuzhmash" took a different path and decided to use ammunition from detachable box stores. This idea defined the rest of the look of the new weapon. Grenade launcher RG-1 built on the "classic" scheme used in small arms. All automation units and trigger mechanism are located inside the receiver, in the lower edge of which the receiving window of the store is provided.
Due to the relatively high power of the propellant charge of the VOG-17 grenade, the piston grenade launcher automatics uses the energy of powder gases acting on the mobile gate. When fired under the pressure of powder gases, the sleeve of the shot shifts back and shifts the massive shutter, the movement of which is prevented by the return spring. Shooting is conducted from the closed bolt: before the shot, the bolt is in the extreme forward position and, turning, locks the barrel. When fired, the bolt moves backward, throwing out the cartridge case, after which, under the action of the return spring, it returns to the front position and sends a new shot to the barrel.
To reduce the recoil energy acting on the arrow, the receiver has a damper spring located next to the return spring. The second means of reducing the recoil momentum is a cylindrical muzzle brake mounted on the barrel.
The trigger mechanism of the RG-1 grenade launcher allows firing only single shots. For the safe operation of the weapon there is a safety device with a two-position flag located on the right side of the receiver.
With the piston grenade launcher it is proposed to use box shots for five shots. Store is placed in the receiving window at the bottom of the receiver, the magazine latch is in front of him. Cartridges are thrown through a window in the receiver.
Optical and collimator sights can be used with the WP-1 manual grenade launcher. To install them on the left side of the receiver has a special bracket. Due to the large weight and strong recoil for ease of firing, the weapon is equipped with a folding bipedal bipod. To the rear of the receiver on the hinge is mounted tubular butt with butt pad. If necessary, the shooter can fold it forward and right. On the upper surface of the receiver has a handle. Unlike some types of small arms with a similar handle, the piston grenade launcher does not carry any aiming devices on it.
The specific architecture of the piston grenade launcher affected its size and weight. Weapons without ammunition weighs more than 10 kg and has a length of 905 mm with a barrel length of 300 mm. The heavy weight of the grenade launcher and the strong recoil caused by the ammunition used to some extent make it difficult to use weapons. However, the WG-1 is easier and more mobile than other systems for similar ammunition.
A relatively powerful propellant shot charge and 300-mm barrel provide grenade acceleration to 185 m / s. The WG-1 grenade launcher is said to be capable of sending grenades at a distance of at least 800 m. In addition, some sources mention that the effective firing range can reach 1000 m. The automatic weapon provides a technical rate of fire at the level of 30 rounds per minute. It should be noted that the limited size of the store leads to a significant reduction in the combat rate of fire in comparison with the technical one.
The self-loading hand grenade launcher RG-1 “Piston” was repeatedly demonstrated at various exhibitions and offered for delivery to the armed forces of Ukraine. However, since the first information on this project appeared, no information on orders was announced. Only at the beginning of September did the first reports appear on the possible adoption of the Piston into service. According to Yu. Biryukov, at the end of last August, a proposed grenade launcher was tested at one of the Ukrainian test sites. The presidential adviser also noted that only three signatures of military officials are needed for adopting a new weapon for the Ukrainian army. For obvious reasons, obtaining the required signatures can be one of the most difficult stages in stories the project.
1 - barrel with a muzzle compensator, 2 - body, 3 - lock (locking device)
4 –Button with damper and reverse springs, 5 - shock trigger
6 - Fire Translator, 7 - Example, 8 - Bipod, 9 - Frame with Handle and Pusher
10 - the stem assembly, 11 - lever, 12 - shutter, 13 - shop, 14 - sight
15 - receiver, 16 - guides, 17 - liner, 18 - handle
Judging by the available data, the RG-1 grenade launcher can indeed significantly increase the firepower of rifle subunits. The main advantages of this weapon are used fragmentation ammunition with a solid zone of destruction with a radius of 3,9 m, as well as relatively small dimensions and weight. The piston grenade launcher with a magazine weighs about the same as the Kalashnikov machine gun with a box of 100 cartridges. Thus, from the point of view of transportation and carrying, the grenade launcher differs little from widely used machine guns. It should be noted that foreign revolver grenade launchers have much less weight. For example, the Russian revolving grenade launcher RG-6 (6-X30) without ammunition weighs only 5,6 kg.
However, the WP-1 grenade launcher is not without flaws. The main disadvantage is the insufficient capacity of the store and some features of the weapons associated with it. Thus, in terms of the number of ready-to-use shots, the “Piston” is inferior to modern revolving grenade launchers from other countries, not to mention automatic systems for similar ammunition. In addition, the use of automatics, which makes the weapon heavier, can adversely affect the usability of the weapon. Finally, even when using a muzzle brake and a damper spring, the recoil of the grenade launcher may be too large and limit the flexibility of the weapon.
Until now, the Ukrainian grenade launcher RG-1 "Piston" participated only in tests in the conditions of landfills. With the help of an unknown "benefactor", mass production of this new weapon can be launched. A businessman is ready to donate 11 millions of hryvnias, which can be used to manufacture grenade launchers and release some of them. Nevertheless, some features of the Ukrainian defense industry and the state approach to defense, demonstrated during all the years of independence of the state, cast doubt on the very possibility of launching full-scale production of grenade launchers. It is possible that even generous donations will not help the Piston grenade launcher to go into the series and get rid of the stigma of a prototype.
On the materials of the sites:
http://zbroya.info/
http://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/
http://btvt.narod.ru/
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