AG-043 (АГ-043) was a Soviet compact fully automatic assault rifle chambered for the 5.45 x 39 mm round, developed in 1975. The weapon is a derivative of the earlier and similar AO-31 which also is Simonov's adaption of the AK-47 platform. The AG-043 had folding stock; a version with fixed stock was given the designation AG-042. Both were designed by Simonov after the GRAU launched Project Modern intended to adopt a carabine capable of automatic fire, inspired by the US experience with XM177 in Vietnam. The Soviet contest for this design was won by Kalashnikov's AKS-74U.