The idea behind a "noiseless" grenade launcher was to hide the sound and flash of the grenade launch and thus give the shooter (and his comrades) a greater chance to escape after a successful diversion behind enemy lines; the main targets for Spetsnaz during the Cold War were tactical nuclear missile launchers, C&C installations and equipment, fuel and ammunition storage facilities and parked tactical aircraft.

The original GSN-19 grenade launcher was slightly reworked, mainly bolt, sight and barrel group.

The standard projectile is a specially designed AP-I (Armour Piercing - Incendiary) grenade with pre-engraved rifling.

The warhead is designed to penetrate the hulls of tactical ballistic missile launchers, aircraft, C&C equipment, and then cause enough damage to render the target inoperative.

To achieve the noise- and flash-less launch, blank cartridges are discharged into the limited volume breech, which is fitted with a movable telescopic piston at the front.