Weapons: Semi-Automatic Grenade Launchers
November 8, 2016: A Ukrainian firm has developed the RGSh30, a handheld version of the Russian AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher. Introduced in 1974, AGS-17 was grenade launcher weighing 34 kg (75 pounds) but firing a 30mm 285 gram (ten ounce) shell (“grenade”) instead of the 458 gm (16 ounce) 40mm shell used in the first (American) weapons of this type.
With the semi-automatic RGSh30 Ukraine is entering a market currently dominated by several similar Chinese designs. These have been showing up since the 1980s. One of the latest ones (2015) is the LG5 40mm grenade launcher with a computerized sight and computer controlled 40mm rounds that the weapon could program to explode over a specific target. LG5 looks like a large (40mm) rifle with a round magazine allowing for multiple shots and an impressive looking computerized sight, complete with laser range finder. LG5 was touted as an anti-sniper system for police. Closer examination of the system indicated that the LG5 was actually designed for long range (over 500 meters) targets, especially structures or vehicles that had to be hit on the first shot. There have been no reports yet of the LG5 in action but it shows you how far Chinese weapons development has come since the 1990s. As with many high tech weapons the LG5 is being offered worldwide to police agencies as well as the military customers.
https://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htweap/articles/20161108.aspx
