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Pump action grenade launcher From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The GM-94 (Russian: Гранатомет Магазинный образца 1994, Granatomet Magazinnyy obraztsa 1994, lit. "magazine-fed grenade launcher, model of 1994") is a pump action grenade launcher for use by Russian special and security forces. Development of the GM-94 grenade launcher began in 1993, under the guidance of Vasilij Gryazev, chief designer of the KBP design bureau (Konstruktorskoye Byuro Priborostroyeniya; (Конструкторское Бюро Приборостроения; KBP), in Tula, Russia. [3]
GM-94 | |
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![]() GM-94 | |
Type | Pump action grenade launcher |
Place of origin | Russia |
Service history | |
Used by | Spetsnaz, FSB, MVD and National Guard |
Wars | 2005 raid on Nalchik[1] Libyan Civil War[2] Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine[2] |
Production history | |
Designer | KBP |
Manufacturer | KBP |
Specifications | |
Mass | 4.8 kg (10.6 lb) unloaded 5.8 kg (12.8 lb) loaded |
Length | 810 mm (31.9 in) stock extended 540 mm (21.3 in) stock folded |
Cartridge | 43×30mm |
Action | Double action |
Muzzle velocity | 85 m/s (280 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | 300 m (330 yd) |
Maximum firing range | 500 m (550 yd) |
Feed system | 3 round pump action above-barrel tubular magazine |
Sights | Iron sights |
The GM-94 is a short range weapon, allowing it to be used in close urban environments. With a minimum safe distance of only 10 meters,[4][5] the GM-94 is well suited to close, room-to-room fighting. Its simple design and operation allows it to operate in dusty and dirty environments and even after being immersed in water.
The launcher is capable of firing VGM-93.900 high explosive fragmentation, VGM-93.100 thermobaric, VGM-93.300 smoke and VGM-93.200 tear gas canisters, VGM-93.600 rubber slugs and other non-lethal payloads.[4]
The VGM-93.100 thermobaric grenade contains around 160 grams of explosive filler. It can penetrate up to 8 mm of mild steel or interior wall with its blast, while producing minimal primary fragmentation.[4]
In June 2005, GM-94 with thermobaric VGM-93.100 ammunition was adopted by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.[6] In October 2007, the Russian armed forces adopted the launcher designated as LPO-97 (Legkiy Pekhotnyy Ognemet; Легкий Пехотный Огнемет; ‘light infantry flamethrower’)[3] developed in the KBP Instrument Design Bureau on the basis of the GM-94 with a thermobaric grenade,[3][7] in 2008 GM-94 was adopted for the branches of the Federal Security Service.[8] The weapon was used in the battle of Nalchik in 2005 and in Crimea 2014.[9] Though the launcher was initially intended for use by Russian security forces, the GM-94 has been spotted as far afield as Kazakhstan, where it is in service with the Kazakhstani paramilitary police tactical unit Sunkar ("Hawk") and in the hands of non-state combatants during the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime in Libya 2011.[2]
Russian forces have used this weapon to fire non-lethal tear gas grenades on protesters in Ukraine in March 2022.[10]