Vektor Y3 AGL
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Vektor Y3 AGL | |
|---|---|
 Y3 AGL showing optical sight and 20 round feeding box. |
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| Type | Grenade launcher |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Service history | |
| Used by | South Africa |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Vektor (Denel) |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 32 kg (weapon), 18 kg (tripod) |
| Length | 844 mm |
| Barrel length | 300 mm (12 in) |
| Width | 281 mm |
| Height | 267 mm |
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| Cartridge | 40 mm grenade |
| Action | long recoil |
| Rate of fire | 280–320 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 242 m/s |
| Maximum range | 2200 m |
| Feed system | 20 round belt |
| Sights | optical or electronic (ballistic computer) |
The Vektor Y3 AGL is a South African automatic grenade launcher manufactured by Vektor which is a subsidiary of Denel. It fires 40 x 53 mm calibre 40 mm grenades at a rate of 280 – 320 rounds per minute[1].
It can be vehicle mounted using a special bracket or used with a tripod[1]. The weapon (with tripod) is man portable by a team of 3.
The Y3 appeared first to the public in 2003 during a Defence Systems & Equipment international exhibition (DSEi) show in Britain[2].
Contents |
[edit] Electronic sight
Because of trajectory of 40 mm grenades, the target might be out of sight when the weapon is used for indirect fire. If the coordinates are known (calculated from observation post) this ballistic computer can determine the launcher's aim taking its position and tilt into account[3].
[edit] Ammunition
The Swartklip (English: "black rock") company, also a subsidiary of Denel produces a range of "high velocity" 40 grenades (40 x 53 mm as opposed to standard 40 x 46 mm)[4].
- High Explosive (HE)
- Designed for used against vehicles and personnel (with a casualty radius of 5 m)
- High Explosive Dual Purpose (HE DP)
- This round has some armour piercing capability (50 mm armour, 350 mm concrete) and is designed for use against vehicles and fortifications.
- Practice
- This round produces a flash and smoke intended for realistic simulations and training.
- Target Practice Tracer
- Similar to the Practice round, but producing a visible light trail similar to tracer ammunition.
- Target Practice
- This round is inert and has the same ballistic properties as the HE and HE DP rounds.
[edit] See also
- LAG 40 grenade launcher, similar weapon
- HK GMG, similar weapon
- XM174 grenade launcher, similar weapon
- AGS-17, similar weapon, but smaller 30 mm calibre
- Milkor MGL, another South African 40 mm grenade launcher
- Mk 19 grenade launcher, similar weapon
[edit] References
- ^ a b Official Vektor Y3 AGL Site. Retrieved on May 14, 2008.
- ^ DSEi 2003. Retrieved on May 14, 2008.
- ^ Automatic grenade launchers: new automatic 40 mm grenade launchers and ammunition are being produced as armies seek to bolster the firepower of infantry units deployed in the War on Terror. Much of this renewed interest results from experience gathered in Afghanistan and Iraq. Retrieved on May 14, 2008.
- ^ 남아공산 40mm 자동유탄발사기 Vektor Y3 AGL. Retrieved on May 14, 2008. (Korean)
