GP Series Silent Launched VOG-25 Grenades

The Soviet Union and Russia have a long history of developing and utilizing suppressed weapon systems. Various suppressed weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, machine guns, and even silent mortar systems, are currently in service. The first Soviet silent grenade launchers were the Tishina and the Canary. These systems used a special blank cartridge to propel a piston that launched a grenade, significantly reducing the sound generated upon firing.

Among various benefits, the primary advantage of suppressing these systems is concealing the shooter's location by minimizing the noise created when firing. In a combat scenario, reducing the sound provides valuable time for the team to operate until the enemy can determine the direction of the fire. The silently launched grenades are designed to catch the adversary off guard and give the attacking force an initial advantage during the first moments of contact.

Captive piston

Captive piston cartridges are a specialized type of ammunition designed for quieter operation than traditional ammunition, specifically for short-range use. These unique cartridges typically feature a reinforced steel case with a powder charge and a single or two-stage piston at the rear of the cartridge. The piston is engineered to rest against the base of the projectile.

Upon firing, the primer ignites the powder charge, leading to the rapid expansion of gases that accelerate the piston forward. Consequently, the piston pushes the projectile, allowing the projectile to engage with the rifling in the barrel and exit the weapon. As the driving piston encounters a shoulder at the end of the cartridge case, it experiences a sudden stop. The high-pressure propelling gases are contained within the spent cartridge and gradually bleed out over time. This design, which keeps the propelling gases from being released into the atmosphere during the firing process, significantly reduces the sound generated.

The Silently Launched Grenade

The patented invention, titled "Ammunition for Grenade Launchers," is assigned the patent number RU 2229090 C1. This design presents a cost-effective solution that eliminates the need for proprietary weapon systems. It features a silent captive piston mechanism to launch VOG grenades and consists of two components: the grenade itself and an adapter. The system utilizes standard 40mm VOG-25 grenades; the tail section is unscrewed to remove the conventional propellant charge.

The patent describes the silent VOG grenade, which utilizes SP-4 cartridges, where "SP-4" stands for "Special Cartridge." The SP-4 features a cylindrical steel projectile equipped with a brass driving band. In this design, the round projectile acts as a piston or rod to propel the grenade forward.

The adapter features a tail cap that houses a movable transitional firing pin, which is screwed onto the adapter body. This adapter acts as the chamber for the SP-4 cartridge and is securely attached to the grenade using an adhesive compound. This adhesive connection ensures the ammunition is reliably assembled in its final form.

When fired, the grenade launcher's firing pin transmits force to the transitional firing pin, which punctures the primer. Importantly, this design prevents excessive penetration and breakthrough of powder gases from the sleeve into the weapon's breach. The pulse from the primer ignites the propellant powder.

The adapter combustion chamber is contained within a thick-walled cylinder made of high-strength material, enabling it to withstand the intense pressure generated when the propellant ignites. When the propellant charge is ignited, the gases produced apply pressure to the bottom of a piston. As these gases expand, they drive the piston, which transmits an impulse to a metal rod or cylindrical projectile. This action impacts the bottom of the grenade, setting it in motion. At this stage, separation occurs between the adapter and the grenade bond. The piston effectively seals the propellant gases within the cartridge case, significantly reducing the noise produced.

When the piston is fired, a cylindrical projectile is propelled out of the bore at a low speed, traveling 2-3 meters from the shooter. The adapter is removed to reload, and the rear section is unscrewed to extract the spent SP-4 cartridge, whose contents are under high pressure. However, the adhesive that bonds the grenade may present a challenge unless multiple loaded adapters are available, which would facilitate quicker reloading. Swapping to standard VOG-25 ammunition can be done when silence is no longer required.

Thoughts and Conclusion

The proposed patent allows a shot to be fired without flash and with a significantly reduced sound. The patent does not mention muzzle velocity or effective range. However, it can be expected to be within the range of 400 meters with standard VOG-25 ammunition. For reference, the 7G16 Tishina and 7G17 Canary had a max range of 400 meters and a muzzle velocity of 345 fps (105 m/s) and 377 fps (115 m/s), respectively.

This patent presents an intriguing concept that allows for using both silent and standard VOG ammunition, depending on the mission's specific needs. This capability could give the team a significant advantage during initial contact with the enemy, buying the team valuable time as the enemy attempts to determine the direction of fire. One can determine that this concept is designed for unique organizations requiring discretion and anonymity.

Doctrines worldwide have evolved to accommodate, giving the warfighter an advantage. Weapon designs have been adjusted to meet the varied requirements of soldiers operating in diverse scenarios. Next-generation silenced weapons solutions are necessary to ensure the safety of personnel in these demanding situations.

Source:

• RU2229090C1.pdf
• RU2229090C1 - Ammunition for grenade launcher (modifications) - Google Patents