Russian Military Adapts VOG-17 Grenades for Drone Use
Modern Drone Deployment
Overt Operator
August 25, 2023
A striking development in recent weeks highlights how Russian forces are intertwining technology with traditional weaponry: frontline Russian military units have begun integrating modified VOG-17 30mm grenades, specifically adapted for commercial drone deployment.
In the past, adapting grenades for drone use was largely a field task. Soldiers, often under less than ideal conditions, would have to modify the ammunition themselves. Now, this recent move signifies a departure from that cumbersome routine. Instead, at manufacturing facilities, these VOG-17 grenades are transformed to meet the operational demands of drones, ensuring a more standardized, efficient, and possibly safer deployment.
In a recent interaction, an instructor charged with training drone operators shared illuminating insights. Factory-produced ammunition has already started reaching the frontlines.
What’s even more intriguing is that this isn’t just an isolated operation: there’s a sweeping familiarization process with these drone-compatible ammunitions, covering a broad spectrum from cumulative ammunition to the shrapnel-infused high-explosive variants.
The potency of these adaptations lies in the details. Commercial drones, which are now commonplace on frontlines, can accommodate ammunition tailored for under-barrel grenade launchers, including the VOG-17. They can also carry hand grenades with weights reaching up to 800 grams. The tweaks made to these munitions focus on role-specific reconfiguration, flight stabilization, and immediate activation on impact.
For those keen on the nitty-gritty, the revamped VOG-17 now comes with an attached tail unit, pivotal in ensuring stable flight. Additionally, the detonator is primed for swift activation. A notable mention is the F-1 variant, which, due to its design, does not need any modification and can be used with drones as-is.
The VOG-17’s history traces back to the Soviet era. Launched in 1970 as an improvised munition and projectile grenade, it was a companion to the AGS-17 Plamya automatic grenade launcher. Over the decades, the VOG-17 has left its mark, being utilized in an array of confrontations from the Soviet-Afghan War to the more recent Ukrainian-Russian clashes.
This innovation signals a broader trend in modern warfare, one where technology augments traditional armaments, promising enhanced capabilities.