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AirTronic PSRL hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher (USA / USSR)
Modernizing old but successful weapons allows you to relatively quickly and easily obtain a certain increase in characteristics and then update your arsenals. This approach to weapons development is actively used in various fields and is not something unusual. Nevertheless, some types of weapons created according to this principle may be of great interest. For example, an interesting example of modernizing an old and widespread system is the American AirTronic PSRL anti-tank grenade launcher.
The PSRL project was based on the desire of the developer company to offer potential buyers an updated version of a long-known and widespread weapon. At the same time, it was intended not to master the production of a finished sample, but to create an updated and improved design based on it. During the development of such weapons, it was possible to use modern materials and components of one kind or another.
PSRL grenade launcher without additional equipment with PG-7V type shot
As the basis for the new project, American engineers from AirTronic USA took the old Soviet RPG-7 hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher. This product appeared in the early sixties and since then has remained in service with many armies around the world. Over the course of more than half a century, more than 9 million of these grenade launchers have rolled off the production line, and the ammunition produced for them is simply incalculable. However, despite the large number and particular popularity among armies, the RPG-7 in its basic configuration and its existing modifications may not fully suit the operator.
The authors of the promising project considered that the Soviet-designed grenade launcher was too heavy and inconvenient to use, had an insufficient firing range, and, in addition, had an insufficient resource. Thus, the development of the existing model should have followed the path of technological processing of the design, improving ergonomics and combat performance. To solve this problem, it was possible to preserve the general features of the architecture, but all the main structural elements had to be replaced.
The new RPG-7 modernization project is called PSRL (Precision, Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher). Subsequently, due to the emergence of new modifications, the names PSRL-1 and PSRL-2 were introduced. Another result of the development of original ideas was the appearance of a modernized grenade launcher called GS-777. It is easy to notice that the authors of the new projects, for some reason, abandoned any hints at the base model of the family.
The PSRL project was completed in 2020, and soon prototypes of two grenade launchers, differing in some characteristics and capabilities, began to be demonstrated at military-technical exhibitions. According to various sources, AirTronic USA subsequently managed to find customers and sell a number of serial grenade launchers. Thus, the original version of the existing weapon managed to confirm its potential to a certain extent.
For greater convenience, the weapon can be equipped with an additional butt
One of the main goals of the PSRL project was to maintain full compatibility with all existing RPG-7 rounds. For this purpose, it was decided not to subject the existing barrel design to major modifications. As before, it was proposed to use a smooth barrel with a caliber of 40 mm. The muzzle of this product has a cylindrical shape and a diameter corresponding to the caliber. In the middle part of the barrel there is a large charging chamber, necessary for the correct use of powder gases. The rear part of the barrel again has a reduced diameter and ends with a small bell nozzle. The total length of this barrel is 915 mm. To increase strength and increase service life, it was proposed to make the barrel from steel grade 4140/4150 without the use of casting.
Various additional devices are installed on the outer surface of the barrel using clamps and other fasteners. Some of the attachments were already present in the basic project, while some were used for the first time. In its place, in the front part of the barrel directly in front of the charging chamber, the pistol grip with the trigger mechanism has been preserved.
The charging chamber has lost its standard wooden cover. It is proposed to install Picatinny rails of different lengths on the upper and lower surfaces of the PSRL-1 barrel. The upper one is intended for mounting a sight, and the lower one is proposed to be used for installing a second vertical handle. Thus, like the Soviet grenade launcher, the updated weapon retains a two-handed grip, but now the grenade launcher can set the handles in the most convenient position in accordance with his wishes and requirements. Also demonstrated was a version of a grenade launcher equipped with a telescopic butt similar to a rifle. This stock allows you to more comfortably rest the weapon on your shoulder.
The rear part of the charging chamber, the associated part of the barrel and the bell are equipped with a new heat-protective casing. Instead of the wood used on the RPG-7, it is now proposed to use plastic. As before, the casing consists of two main semicircular parts, held together by several clamps.
Lightweight grenade launcher GS-777
The trigger mechanism is borrowed from the basic design without significant changes. Like the RPG-7, the new PSRL must fire using a trigger-type trigger. The trigger itself is placed at the back of the handle and cocked manually. Fire control is carried out using a trigger covered with a large protective guard. A pistol grip is placed under the trigger body. To simplify production, this part was borrowed from serial rifles of the AR15 family.
When determining the design of a promising grenade launcher, AirTronic USA specialists considered the standard Soviet-designed sight to be insufficiently effective and inappropriate to modern requirements. To solve this problem, they created their own version of the sight with improved characteristics. The new PSRL 3.5 X 24mm optical sight is said to allow firing at a range of 2,500 feet (about 800 m) with a 90% chance of hitting the target with the first shot. The manufacturer's press release noted that the serial RPG-7 showed such effectiveness only at half the distances. Acceptable accuracy is maintained at long distances, allegedly up to 1000-1200 m.
From the very beginning, the PSRL project was presented with the most important requirement: despite all the changes, the modernized grenade launcher had to remain fully compatible with existing RPG-7 rounds. Preserving the caliber, barrel design and trigger mechanism allows American grenade launchers to use existing over-caliber grenades with different warheads.
The development company previously announced its intention to develop a new ammunition compatible with a grenade launcher of its design. It was planned to carry out such work together with the Chemring Ordnance company. The new ammunition was supposed to be created on the basis of existing rocket-propelled grenades and equipped with guidance means. Due to this, the effective firing range was supposed to be increased to 1.5-2 km. No new reports on the progress of such a project have been published. It is likely that the guided grenade project encountered certain difficulties and, as a result, has not yet even been brought to testing.
Another version of the GS-777, differing in the arrangement of the slats
Later, AirTrinoc USA introduced a new version of the Precision grenade launcher, the Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher, which had some differences from the previous development. So, the barrel has undergone new modifications. Now its resource has been increased to 1000 shots. In addition, the existing installation facilities for additional equipment were supplemented. The PSRL-2 project proposes the installation of more Picatinny rails. Now these devices are located on the top, bottom and sides of the barrel, both near the muzzle and on the charging chamber.
In accordance with the designers' idea, the front rails can be used for mounting sighting devices (upper and side) or a bipod (lower front). You can use the four bars on the charging chamber in a similar way. All this allows you to install additional equipment in the most convenient way.
Depending on configuration and modification, the PSRL anti-tank rocket launcher has a length of no more than 950 mm (excluding grenades) and weighs 14 pounds (6.35 kg). Thus, in terms of its dimensions, the modernized grenade launcher is almost no different from the basic Soviet-designed weapon.
In some situations, such weapons may not be convenient enough to use. In this regard, based on developments under the PSRL program and some new ideas, AirTronic USA created another development option for the RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launcher. This product was designated GS-777. Such weapons differ from previous American developments in their reduced weight.
GS-777 without sights, etc. equipment
The main ideas of the GS-777 project were related to the barrel design. While maintaining the shape and other parameters, this part should now be made of a lighter metal alloy and have a reduced weight. Several other measures have also been taken to reduce the weight of the weapon assembly. Thus, the “light” grenade launcher lost the plastic lining at the rear of the barrel. The shooter's safety should now be ensured only by Picatinny rails, which protrude noticeably above the surface of the barrel. To install the sight, there is one long rail on the upper or left surface of the barrel. An additional handle can be mounted on a single lower bar located under the charging chamber.
The GS-777 hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher is almost no different in size from the basic RPG-7 and PSRL. Moreover, its weight does not exceed 8 pounds - about 3.5 kg. This greatly facilitates the transportation and use of weapons, but does not have a negative impact on combat qualities.
The development company has already opened orders for the production of serial grenade launchers of several types. The existing production capacity allows it to produce up to 1000 products per month, in accordance with the schedule established in the contract. The grenade launchers come with a two-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects.
In addition to the weapons themselves, the American company offers potential customers a large number of different accessories for them. Covers and cases for grenade launchers, special backpacks for carrying shots, additional cleaning products, spare parts, etc. are produced.
One of the PSRL family grenade launcher configuration options
The main goal of the Precision, Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher program was to create an updated and redesigned version of the RPG-7 hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher with the subsequent launch of mass production at the AirTronic USA plant. The military departments of the United States and friendly states were considered as the main customer. The fact is that, as part of assistance programs to third countries, the Pentagon purchases some inexpensive weapons, including RPG-7, and transfers them to friendly armies. This principle is used to provide assistance to the armed forces of Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.
For objective reasons, weapons for friendly states are purchased primarily from Eastern European countries - Poland, Bulgaria, etc. The situation is similar with ammunition for such weapons. The new PSRL grenade launcher, fully compatible with existing rounds, was planned to be offered to the American military as a good alternative to foreign products. In this case, orders for the production of grenade launchers and grenades for them could be received by a domestic enterprise, and not by foreign factories.
According to available data, AirTronic USA has already received and completed several orders for the production of grenade launchers of a new family. Serial products PSRL and GS-777 have been transferred to several foreign countries, but the exact list of operators has not yet been disclosed. Apparently, the new grenade launchers were sold or transferred to close allies of the United States that still use Soviet-made weapons.
A few days ago, information appeared about the receipt of a certain number of PSRL-1 grenade launchers by one of the armed formations of Ukraine. How and in what quantity these products got into the neighboring country is unknown. Published information suggests that for now we are only talking about familiarizing personnel with a foreign novelty.
Accessories offered by the manufacturer
The Precision, Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher program, implemented by the American companies AirTronic USA and Chemring Ordnance, is of some interest. Based on the desire to take away future orders from foreign weapons manufacturers, American enterprises have developed several of their own versions of the existing grenade launcher. To gain advantages over competitors, the basic model was modernized. The result of this was the appearance of weapons with an increased service life and, in one of the modifications, with a reduced weight. In addition, according to the developer, using the new sight it was possible to increase shooting accuracy.
In their original configuration, American-designed grenade launchers retain the basic characteristics at the level of the basic RPG-7, although they have certain advantages over it. During the subsequent development of the existing design, it was planned to create a guided munition capable of increasing the firing range and accuracy. There have been no reports of a successful solution to such a problem yet.
The American modernized version of the Soviet grenade launcher is intended to fill a specific niche, so far occupied primarily by products made in Eastern Europe. To gain its share of this market and provide an advantage over competitors, the basic successful design has undergone some modernization. As far as we know, grenade launchers of the new family have already become the subject of several orders, which allows us to consider the PSRL project successful.
Based on materials from the sites: https://airtronic-usa.com/ https://defense-update.com/ https://armyrecognition.com/ https://militaryfactory.com/ https://diana-mihailova.livejournal. com/
Flyer: https://airtronic-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/cutsheet-psrl.pdf
