The Vektor Y3 is a South African automatic grenade launcher manufactured by Denel Land Systems. It fires 40x53mm grenades at a rate of 280–320 rounds per minute.
It can be vehicle mounted using a special bracket or used with a tripod. The weapon (with tripod) is man portable by a team of 3
The Y3 appeared first to the public in 2003 during a Defence Systems & Equipment international exhibition (DSEi) show in the UK.Because of trajectory of 40 mm grenades, the target might be out of sight when the weapon is used for indirect fire. If the coordinates are known (calculated from observation post) this ballistic computer can determine the launcher's aim taking its position and tilt into account.
| Vektor Y3 AGL | |
|---|---|
| Type | Grenade launcher |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Service history | |
| Used by | SANDF |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Denel Land Systems |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 32 kg = 70.56 lb (weapon), 18 kg = 39.7 lb (tripod) |
| Length | 844 mm (33.23 in) |
| Barrel length | 300 mm (11.8 in) |
| Width | 281 mm (11.06 in) |
| Height | 267 mm (10.5 in) |
| | |
| Cartridge | 40 mm grenade |
| Action | long recoil |
| Rate of fire | 280–320 rounds/min = about 5/sec |
| Muzzle velocity | 242 m/s (540 mph) |
| Maximum range | 2200 m (1.37 miles) |
| Feed system | 20 round belt |
| Sights | optical or electronic (ballistic computer) |
Ammunition
Rheinmetall Denel Munitions produces a range of "high velocity" 40 grenades (40 x 53 mm as opposed to standard 40 x 46 mm).
- High Explosive (HE)
- Designed for used against vehicles and personnel (with a casualty radius of 5 m)
- High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP)
- This round has some armour piercing capability (50 mm armour, 350 mm concrete) and is designed for use against vehicles and fortifications.
- Practice
- This round produces a flash and smoke intended for realistic simulations and training.
- Target Practice Tracer
- Similar to the Practice round, but producing a visible light trail similar to tracer ammunition.
- Target Practice
- This round is inert and has the same ballistic properties as the HE and HE DP rounds.
