Re: Destruction \" Abrams \" from RPG-7V hit sideway
Russian/Soviet 40mm Grenades
PG-7M
The PG-7 grenade, the original grenade used with the RPG-7, has a warhead cone diameter of 73 mm and a fluted nosecone cover. A more recent warhead, designated PG-7M, has a cone diameter of 70 mm, but, through better design of the fuzing and firing arrangements, it has a better anti-armour performance. The updated warhead has a slightly longer nosecone so appears to be slimmer. The muzzle velocity of the PG-7M round is 140 m/s, length 950 mm and weight 1.98 kg. The fuze is the PIBD VP-7M. The complete round with the PG-7 grenade is the PG-7V. That for the PG-7M is the PG-7VM (produced in Poland as the PG-7WM).
PG-7N
Basically an updated PG-7M with a revised warhead containing 340 g of OKFOL-3.5 initiated by a VP-22 piezoelectric fuze. Also revised is the 4RN42 propelling charge which provides an initial velocity of 140 m/s and a maximum range of 500 m. Length overall is 965 mm. Armour penetration is
400 mm. The complete round is the PG-7VN.
PG-7L
The PG-7L grenade has a 93 mm diameter shaped charge warhead capable of penetrating 600 mm of armour. The grenade weighs 2.6 kg and is effective up to 300 m; muzzle velocity is 112 m/s. It can also penetrate up to 1.3 m of reinforced concrete, 1.7 m of brick and over 2.5 m thicknesses of logs and earth. The complete round is the PG-7VL.
PG-7LT
The PG-7LT is produced in Bulgaria and is another tandem warhead grenade, with a weight of 2.9 kg and a length of 1.13 m; the main warhead diameter is 93 mm. Maximum effective range is 300 m at a muzzle velocity of 100 m/s. It is provided with a VP-22 impact fuze. It is claimed that this grenade will penetrate 550 mm of armour once ERA has been cleared, or 700 mm of armour with a behind-armour effect. It can also penetrate 1.4 m of reinforced concrete or brick, or 2 m of logs and earth. The complete round is the PG-7VLT.
PG-7VM
This is a Romanian HEAT round with a 70 mm diameter warhead, produced by ROMARM. A complete round is 959 mm long, with the grenade being 671 mm. Maximum firing range is 500 m with a maximum velocity of 350 m/s. The warhead can penetrate 300 mm of armoured plates at 330 m.
PG-7VR
The PG-7VR round is fitted with a tandem warhead to attack explosive reactive armour, having an extension boom ahead of the main warhead carrying a small shaped charge to ignite explosive reactive armour before the main 105 mm diameter shaped charge operates to penetrate the main armour. The complete PG-7VR round weighs 4.5 kg and has a maximum effective range of 200 m. It is claimed that the PG-7VR grenade can defeat the passive and active armour of all current MBTs, being capable of penetrating more than 750 mm of armoured steel after defeating explosive reactive armour. It can also penetrate over 1.5 m of reinforced concrete, 2 m of bricks, and up to 3.7 m thicknesses of logs and earth. This warhead was deployed during the 1995 fighting in Chechnya.
PG-7LT
The PG-7LT is another tandem warhead grenade to defeat explosive reactive armour. The complete round, the PG-7VLT, weighs 2.9 kg and is 1.13 m long. Maximum warhead diameter is 93 mm. Muzzle velocity is 100 m/s and direct fire range is 200 m. The PG-7LT grenade can penetrate 700 mm of RHA, with behind armour effects, or 550 mm of RHA after one layer of explosive reactive armour. It can also penetrate 1.4 m of reinforced concrete or brick and 2 m of logs and earth.
PGI
A 70 mm warhead diameter rocket with an incendiary warhead produced by ROMARM of Romania. Maximum firing range is 500 m.
PG-I
This is a Romanian incendiary round with a 70 mm diameter warhead, produced by ROMARM. A complete round is 959 mm long, with the grenade being 671 mm. Maximum firing range is 500 m with a maximum velocity of 350 m/s.
Chinese Type-69 RPG Grenades. Can also be used in Russian RPG-7/RPG-7V/RPG-7D.
40 mm anti-tank rocket-assisted hollow charge grenade Type 69-1
This is the `standard' HEAT anti-tank grenade.
Warhead diameter: 85 mm
Length: 927 mm
Weight: 2.238 kg
Range: effective, 300 m
Velocity: initial, 120 m/s; max, 295 m/s
Armour penetration: 150 mm/65�
40 mm anti-tank HEAT grenade Type 69-II
A revised grenade with a larger and more powerful warhead for use against heavily armoured vehicles and strongpoints.
Warhead diameter: 94 mm
Length: 1.064 m
Weight: 2.973 kg
Range: effective, 200 m
Velocity: initial, 120 m/s; max, 176 m/s
Armour penetration: 180 mm/65�
40 mm anti-tank grenade Type 69-III
A rocket grenade with a revised warhead design and a self-destruct capability.
Warhead diameter: 80 mm
Length: 970 mm
Weight: 2.26 kg
Range: effective, 290 m
Velocity: initial, 121 m/s; max, 295 m/s
Armour penetration: 180 mm/65�
40 mm anti-tank HEAT Type 84
One of the latest types of grenade, the Type 84 is claimed to be relatively unaffected by side winds, no doubt because of its shorter overall length (not given). This long-range grenade can be used with both the Type 69 and Type 69-1 launchers.
Warhead diameter: 85 mm
Weight: 1.8 kg
Range: effective up to 350 m
Velocity: initial, 140 m/s
Armour penetration: 180 mm/65�
40 mm airburst anti-personnel grenade Type 69
On this grenade, the warhead strikes the ground only to be propelled upwards by a jump mechanism to a height of approximately 2 m where the explosive warhead detonates, scattering about 800 anti-personnel steel spheres over a lethal radius of 15 m.
Warhead diameter: 75 mm
Weight: 2.8 kg
Length: 825 mm
Range: effective up to 1,500 m
Velocity: initial, 102 m/s; max, 252 m/s
40 mm HE/HEAT grenade
On this multipurpose grenade, the usual nose-mounted piezoelectric fuze has a graze component allowing the warhead to function as a long-range HE/FRAG payload when used against troops in the open due to the provision of a preformed metal fragment sleeve that breaks up into 1,600 anti-personnel fragments, which scatter over a 20 m radius. The warhead retains the anti-armour HEAT capability.
Warhead diameter: 92 mm
Length: 919 mm
Weight: 2.67 kg
Range: effective up to 1,800 m
Velocity: initial, 102 m/s
Armour penetration: 150 mm/60� at 300 m
40 mm Incendiary/HE Grenade
Designed to have the same ballistic performance as the 40 mm airburst anti-personnel grenade, this Incendiary/HE grenade was developed for jungle and mountain operations. Its anti-personnel effects are enhanced by a sleeve containing 900 steel balls around the warhead, together with 2,000 to 3,000 incendiary pellets, to be scattered over a radius up to 15 m.
Warhead diameter: 76 mm
Length: 805 mm
Weight: 2.67 kg
Range: effective up to 1,500 m
Velocity: initial, 102 m/s
40 mm Illuminating Grenade
The latest of the Type 69-1 grenade launcher munitions to be developed, this grenade has a braking ring around the warhead to allow a parachute-suspended flare to be ejected at a range of 600 m (1,500 m with the braking ring removed) under the influence of a time fuze. The flare burns for 35 seconds at an intensity of 500,000 candela.
Warhead diameter: 75 mm; over braking ring, 101.3 mm
Length: 844 mm
Weight: 2.2 kg
Range: effective, 600 or 1,500 m
Velocity: initial, 115 m/s
40 mm HEAT Grenade Type 69
This is the original HEAT anti-armour grenade developed for the Type 69 launcher and provided with a Dian-2 piezoelectric fuze. It has no self-destruct capability.
Warhead diameter: 85 mm
Length: 925 mm
Weight: 2.163 kg
Range: effective, 300 m
Velocity: initial, 120 m/s; max, 295 m/s
Armour penetration: 110 mm/65
Iranian 40mm Grenades for RPG-7
40 mm tandem warhead anti-tank rocket
Although other tandem warhead rockets for use with the RPG-7 rocket launcher have appeared elsewhere, the Iranian tandem warhead rocket is an entirely Iranian design. The rocket features an elongated nose probe, the tip of which contains a 30 mm diameter precursor warhead intended to activate Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) to clear a path for the main 80 mm diameter shaped charge to defeat the main target armour. According to Iranian sources the main warhead can penetrate 350 mm of RHA set at an angle of 90� and 250 mm set at 22�.
Calibre: main warhead, 80 mm; precursor warhead, 30 mm; rocket motor body, 40 mm
Weight: 2.6 kg
Length: 1.15 m
Velocity: initial, 120 m/s; max, 300 m/s
Max effective range: 300 m
NAFEZ 40 mm anti-tank rocket
The NAFEZ 40 mm anti-tank weapon system is fired from Iranian-produced RPG-7 portable rocket launchers. The NAFEZ has what is described as an upgraded HEAT warhead which can penetrate more than 500 mm of armour at a maximum effective range of 350 m. The warhead is initiated by an electro-mechanical fuze armed by the internal pressures of the rocket motor. The NADER's unitary shaped warhead can penetrate 300 mm of armour and has a maximum range of 400 m. Muzzle velocity is 310 m/s.
Calibre: 40 mm
Weight: rocket, 2.65 kg (�30 g); warhead, 1.52 kg
Length: rocket with motor, 1.015 m; rocket only, 725mm, warhead, 420mm
Velocity: initial, 120 m/s
Max effective range: 350 m
Armour penetration: >500 mm
Eqypt 40mm Grenades for RPG-7
SAKR Cobra anti-tank weapon system
The SAKR Cobra anti-tank weapon system is an improved warhead for the standard PG-7 weapon system described previously. The Octal shaped charge has a new pattern liner manufactured by a specially developed process, giving an improvement in performance of approximately 20 per cent compared to standard copper cones. The fuzing system is electromagnetic and is initiated by contact between the double ogives of the warhead. It is capable of functioning at angles of 80� from normal and has a response time less than 10 μs. The Cobra warhead has been demonstrated penetrating over 500 mm of armour steel at 3.5 calibres standoff distance in static tests.
Length: grenade, 925 mm
Weight: grenade, 2.2 kg; warhead, 1 kg
Velocity: initial, 120 m/s; max, 300 m/s
Range: min, 200 m; effective, 350 m; max, 500 m
Armour penetration: >500 mm armoured steel
SAKR PG-7 weapon system
The SAKR PG-7 weapon system is essentially the Soviet/RFAS RPG-7 copied and manufactured in Egypt, with some modifications to suit Egyptian manufacturing methods.
Calibre: launcher, 40 mm; warhead, 85 mm
Length: launcher, 950 mm; rocket, 930 mm
Weight: launcher, 6.8 kg; rocket, 2.25 kg; warhead, 900 g
Range: effective, AFVs, 300 m; other, 500 m
Range to self-destruct: 900 m
Velocity: initial, 120 m/s; max, 300 m/s
Armour penetration: >260 mm
Bulgarian Anti-Personnel 40mm Grenades
OG-7 and OG-7M
The OG-7 and OG-7M are high-explosive anti-personnel. The main difference between the two is that the OG-7M uses a heavier propellant charge (4BN17) than the OG-7 (which uses the 4BN42) resulting in a slightly reduced range (950 m for the OG-7M, 1,000 m for the OG-7). Both grenades use the O-4M impact fuze to detonate 210 g of A-IX-1 (RDX/Wax) explosive. Both grenades weigh 1.76 kg and are 595 mm long. The initial velocity for the OG-7 is 152 m/s while that for the OG-7M is 145 m/s. The complete round with the OG-7 is the OG-7V. That for the OG-7M is the OG-7VM.
OG-7M3
This is an HE-FRAG round with a muzzle velocity of 145 m/s and a maximum range of 950 m. The prefragmented sleeve around the warhead produces up to 1,200 fragments when the OM-4M impact fuze functions. The complete round for this grenade is the OG-7VM3.
OG-7G
The OG-7G grenade features an enlarged FRAG-HE warhead with an O-4M nose fuze and a maximum range of 900 m; direct fire range is 150 m. Muzzle velocity is 66 m/s. The complete round for this grenade is the OG-7BG.
OG-7E
By contrast with other RPG-7 grenades, the OG-7E is a pure blast weapon, initiated by a GO-2H nose fuze. The complete round, the OG-7VE, has a direct fire range of 165 m and a maximum possible range of 1,000 m. Muzzle velocity is 70 m/s.
OFG-7V
The OFG-7V is another FRAG-HE warhead grenade (the complete round is also known as the OFG-7VE) with a maximum possible range of 2,000 m; direct fire range is 270 m. Muzzle velocity is 99 m/s.
KO-7
The KO-7 grenade has a multipurpose warhead combining a shaped charge with a FRAG-HE collar. The HEAT charge is claimed to be able to penetrate more than 260 mm of armour. Direct fire range is 260 m. Muzzle velocity is 98 m/s. Round weight is 2.96 kg. The complete round is known as the KO-7V.
TBG-7
A thermobaric warhead known as the TBG-7 was developed for the RPG-7 launcher series although its current status is uncertain. The blunt-nosed warhead is 105 mm in diameter and weighs 4.5 kg. Effective range is 200 m, with a maximum range of 700 m. The warhead is stated to be able to `disable personnel in entrenchments or bunkers (with the grenade bursting at a distance of 2 m from the trench or embrasure) and for striking lightly armoured and soft-skinned vehicles'. In open terrain the warhead is effective over a 10 m radius. The complete round is known as the TBG-7V.
GTB-7G
This rocket round has a 93 mm diameter thermobaric warhead providing an explosive yield equivalent to 2 kg of TNT. The round is 1.12 m long and weighs 4.7 kg. Effective range is 200 m and muzzle velocity 66 m/s. The complete round is known as the GTB-7BG.
TEMP-10 light anti-armour weapon
The TEMP-10 light anti-armour weapon is based around an RPG-7 rocket launcher but with the launch tube calibre enlarged to 50 mm. Much of the rest of the RPG-7 remains unchanged, the main emphasis on the TEMP-10 being on the fin-stabilised rocket warhead. The TEMP-10 rocket warhead employs an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) warhead intended to penetrate target armour. In appearance the front of the warhead resembles a blunt surface but the frontal area is slightly dished, or depressed, so that on igniting the explosive within the warhead the frontal area forms a molten penetrator slug travelling at very high velocity (2,800 m/s). On contact with a target the kinetic energy of the penetrator slug can defeat 30 to 40 mm of armour. The penetrator is followed by a shower of small high-velocity fragments to produce secondary and anti-personnel effects. From the limited data available to date it appears that the maximum effective range against lightly armoured vehicles is 100 to 120 m. The intention is that the warhead does not have to impact with the target armour to be effective but is detonated along the line-of-sight to the target with the EFP travelling forward towards the target. Exactly how the warhead is fuzed or timed to detonate is not yet clear, although it appears that the explosive driving the EFP is detonated at a distance of 25 to 30 m from the RPG-7 launcher muzzle. It is noticeable that the TEMP-10 is being promoted as an anti-helicopter weapon as well as for use against vehicles. The EFP technology employed for the TEMP-10 is also utilised in the Multi-Role Assault Round (MRAR). The TEMP-10 was developed by the Federal Government Enterprise `State Scientific-Testing Area of Aircraft Systems' (FKP 'GkNIPAS') which is offering the concept for possible joint development with overseas partners. Other associated weapons involving EFPs include the TEMP-20 anti-helicopter mine and the TEMP-30 anti-tank top attack mine.
Calibre: launcher, 50 mm; warhead, 100 mm
Length: 1 m
Weight: 6.7 kg
Range: firing, up to 150 m
Initial rocket velocity: 170 m/s
Time to target: 0.2 s
EFP velocity: initial, 2,800 m/s
Armour penetration: 30-40 mm
RPG-2 portable rocket launcher
The RPG-2 was developed from the German Panzerfaust of the Second World War. It fires a fin-stabilised PG-2 HEAT projectile which is loaded into the muzzle of the launcher. The fins are made of a stiff flexible sheet and they can be rolled around the cylindrical container of the motor and retained in place with a ring. As the fins are pushed down into the barrel the ring slides off. The fins spring out and are held against the inside of the launcher tube. As soon as the missile leaves the muzzle the fins extend fully. The metal tube of the launcher has a wood-encased section in the middle to protect the firer against heat and also to make the weapon easier to hold when it is used in cold climates. The firing mechanism is a spring-loaded hammer and this means that the round has to be indexed into position to ensure that the hammer and the cap are in line. The rear end of the tube is usually a plain cylinder but some have been seen with a flange-like blast deflector at the rear of the launcher. The Chinese manufactured the RPG-2 as the Anti-Tank Grenade Launcher (ATGL) Type 56 (qv).
Calibre: launcher, 40 mm; warhead, 82 mm
Length: launcher, 1.494 m
Weight: empty, 2.83 kg; projectile, 1.84 kg
Max range: effective, 150 m
Rate of fire: 4-6 rds/min
Armour penetration: 150-180 mm
RPG-16 Udar light anti-armour weapon
The RPG-18 Udar (Blow) may be regarded as an enlarged version of the RPG-7 series and, although long thought to be otherwise, it remains in production and is still offered for export sales. In general appearance and operation it resembles the RPG-7 but the launcher calibre is 58.3 mm and only HEAT rockets weighing 3 kg are involved. For carrying, the launcher can be broken down in two halves. A folding bipod is provided and there are optical and back-up iron sights. An infra-red night sight is available.
Calibre: 58.3 mm
Length: in action, 1.104 m; carrying, 645 mm
Weight: launcher, 9.4 kg; rocket, 3 kg
Rocket velocity: initial, 130 m/s; max, 350 m/s
Range: max, 800 m
Armour penetration: 300 mm
RPG-18 Mukha light anti-armour weapon
The RPG-18 Mukha (Fly) is a small rocket with a motor which is all-burnt on launch. The warhead is a shaped charge with a calibre of 64 mm. The launcher is disposable after firing. The RPG-18 launcher is made of an extruded light-alloy tube. It telescopes and the two halves are held together with a bayonet catch which has to be rotated to release the halves. The launcher is extended before firing. The firing mechanism is mechanical and not unlike that on the US M72 series. The sights are simple pop-up frames, made of plastic and graduated for ranges of 200, 250 and 300 m. There is also a stepped cutout slot which acts as a rudimentary rangefinder; an average length tank will fit inside one step of the slot at the three ranges noted above. Each launcher carries a series of drawings showing the firer how to use it. There is no shoulder stop so the firer has to judge where to place his head when firing. One of the training instructions warns that the venturi should not be within 2 m of a wall or similar solid obstruction. The simple drawings indicate that the weapon can be used by anyone in a defensive position. The RPG-18 rocket is stated to be able to defeat 375 mm of armour. It can also penetrate 1 m of brick or 0.5 m of reinforced concrete.
Calibre: 64 mm
Length: folded, 705 mm
Weight: overall, 2.6 kg; projectile, 1.4 kg
Range: combat, 200 m
Muzzle velocity: 115 m/s
Armour penetration: 375 mm
RPG-22 Neto light anti-tank weapon
The RPG-22 Neto (Net), first issued in 1985, is of the same general construction and appearance as the RPG-18 but fires a fin-stablised HEAT rocket of 72.5 mm calibre with a VP-16 or VP-22 fuze. The weapon has simple pop-up sights graduated for ranges of 50, 150 and 250 m, together with a temperature compensating rearsight. The launcher consists of an outer glass fibre tube, with an inner aluminium tube, which extends some 100 mm before firing; the launcher is 785 mm long when carried. The time necessary to prepare the weapon for firing is about 10 seconds. In addition to penetrating up to 400 mm of armour, the RPG-22 rocket can penetrate 1.2 m of brick or 1 m of reinforced concrete. For training, the reusable RPG-22 UBS is available. This fires a 30 mm subcalibre projectile, the RPG-22 Neto (Net) weighing 350 g, to operational ranges. All handling and performance data are identical to those of the operational RPG-22.
Calibre: 72.5 mm
Length: carried, 785 mm; extended, 850 mm
Weight: 2.8 kg
Range: combat, 150-200 m
Muzzle velocity: initial, 133 m/s; max, 300 m/s
Armour penetration: 400 mm
RPG-26 Aglen light anti-tank weapon
The RPG-26 Aglen (this name is unconfirmed) appears to be a product-improved version of the RPG-22. As such, it is a general issue, last ditch anti-armour weapon which can double as a bunker buster. The telescoping launcher carries a shaped charge rocket with jack-knife fins which unfold after launch. The unitary HEAT warhead calibre is 72.5 mm and the complete round weighs 2.9 kg. It is claimed to defeat 440 mm of armour at the maximum effective combat range of 250 m and will also defeat at least 1 m of reinforced concrete or at least 1.5 m of brick. A variant of the RPG-26 armed with a rocket grenade with a thermobaric warhead is known as the RShG-2. This system weighs 3.5 kg complete and has a direct fire range of 115 m.
Calibre: 72.5 mm
Weight: 2.9 kg
Range: effective combat, 250 m
Armour penetration: 440 mm
Operational temperature range: -50 to +50�C
RPG-27 Tavolga anti-tank rocket launcher
The RPG-27 Tavolga (Meadow Grass) fires a 105 mm folding fin-stabilised rocket which carries a tandem shaped charge warhead. The main warhead is of 105 mm calibre, in front of which a tubular nose extension carries a smaller shaped charge warhead intended to detonate explosive reactive armour. It is claimed that the combination is sufficient to defeat the armour of `all types of current tanks'. For example, the warhead can defeat 650 mm of armour after penetrating explosive reactive armour. In the general support role, the round will defeat at least 1.5 m of reinforced concrete or brick and 3.7 m of logs and earth. Preparing the weapon for operation from the transport condition requires only three actions. The complete weapon, in firing order, weighs 8 kg. The effective anti-armour range is 200 m. Variant
RShG-1 105 mm multipurpose assault weapon The RShG-1 105 mm multipurpose rocket launcher is believed to be a variant of the RPG-27 firing a revised rocket with a thermobaric warhead.
Calibre: 105 mm
Weight: 8 kg
Range: combat, 200 m
Armour penetration: after ERA, 650 mm
Operational temperature range: -50 to +50�C
RPG-29 Vampir anti-tank rocket launcher
Relatively few details have been released regarding the RPG-29 Vampir (Vampire) anti-tank rocket launcher, described in sales literature as a Portable Anti-tank Rocket Launcher. It resembles several other types of shoulder-fired rocket launcher in that it is a long tube folding into two halves for carrying. It is provided with an optical sight and a monopod to assume some of the rocket weight and steady the launcher before launch. The main innovation on this weapon is the round launched, the PG-29V. This has tandem shaped charge warheads, the smaller being on a boom extension to defeat explosive reactive armour before the larger 105 mm diameter shaped charge can defeat the main target armour. It is claimed that the rocket warheads will defeat the armour of `all current and other armoured vehicles at any target angles at a distance of up to 500 m' although the normal maximum combat range is given as 450 m. Other references mention an armour penetration (behind explosive reactive armour) of up to 750 mm at a normal angle of incidence. It has been suggested that this warhead is essentially similar to that used on the PG-7VR grenade fired by the RPG-7 portable rocket launcher series. In the general support role the round will defeat at least 1.5 m of reinforced concrete or brick and 3.7 m of logs and earth. There is a ground mounting for the RPG-29. Provided with laser-based sights and a fire-control unit weighing 3 kg, this launcher/mounting combination can be used to engage armoured targets out to a range of 800 m. The complete launcher weight, with the mounting and fire control unit, is 20 kg.
Calibre: 105.2 mm
Length: launcher, carrying, 1 m
Weight: launcher, 11.5 kg; round, 6.7 kg; projectile, 6.2 kg
Muzzle velocity: 280 m/s
Range: combat, 450-500 m
Operational temperature range: -50 to +50�C
RShG-1 105 mm multipurpose assault weapon
The RShG-1 is a multipurpose assault weapon designed to defeat light armoured vehicles, field fortifications and reinforced concrete structures. The RShG-1 is based on the RPG-27 anti-tank rocket launcher (qv) and uses the same disposable launch tube. The RShG-1 unitary warhead is thermobaric as this type of warhead is more effective than conventional explosives against the type of targets which the RShG-1 is intended to defeat. A single RShG-1 is effective against personnel sheltered in confined spaces of up to 300 m3 or in open terrain within a radius of up to 10 m. Calibre: 105 mm
Weights: 8 kg, thermobaric filling, 1.9 kg
Length: 1.155 m
Max range: 200 m
Operational temperature range: -50 to +50�C
RShG-2 72.5 mm multipurpose assault weapon
The RShG-2 is a multipurpose assault weapon designed to defeat light armoured vehicles, field fortifications and reinforced concrete structures. The RShG-2 is based on the RPG-26 Aglen anti-tank rocket launcher (qv) and uses the same disposable launch tube. The RShG-2 unitary warhead is thermobaric, this type of warhead is more effective than conventional explosives against the type of targets which the RShG-2 is intended to defeat.
Calibre: 72.5 mm
Weights: 3.8 kg
Max range: 350 m
Direct fire range: 115 m
Operational temperature range: -50 to +50�C
RPO-A Shmel rocket infantry flame-thrower
The RPO-A Shmel is a single-tube launcher normally issued in pairs joined together to be carried as a back-pack using the two slings. To operate the launcher, the two tubes are separated and a simple optical sight calibrated to 600 m is flipped up. Launching is from over the shoulder using a folding pistol grip and trigger assembly together with a forward grip under the muzzle. The launcher can be fired from within structures having a volume of over 60 m3. Once fired the launcher tube is discarded. The 93 mm projectile warhead contains 2.1 kg of thermobaric flammable mixture (RPO-A), 2.1 kg of an incendiary substance (RPO-Z) or 2.3 kg of an incendiary-smoke mixture (RPO-D). Initial velocity of the spring-out fin-stabilised rocket-propelled projectile is 125 m/s (�5 m/s). Length overall of the blunt-nosed projectile is estimated to be around 700 mm. The effect of the RPO-A projectile is such, that when detonated inside a structure, its lethal and destructive effects will cover an area of 80 m3, claimed to be similar to an equivalent 122 mm artillery HE projectile. When utilised against personnel in the open the lethal area will cover 50 m2. Maximum range is 1,000 m but the sights are calibrated to only 600 m. Point blank range against a target 3 m high is 200 m. Shelf life of the RPO-A Shmel is 10 years and it can be operated over a temperature range from -50 to +50�C.
Variants
RPO-Z infantry jet flame thrower
The RPO-Z, also referred to as the RPO-3, differs from the base RPO-A in that it launches a rocket intended primarily to produce on-target incendiary effects. The warhead contains 20 incendiary pellets which are scattered on impact. All aspects of handling and deployment are identical to those for the RPO-A.
RPO-D infantry jet smoke projector
This is again identical to the base RPO-A other than that the projectile contains 2.3 kg of a smoke screen mixture intended to create smoke screens 55 to 90 m long to mask activity. All aspects of handling and deployment are identical to those for the RPO-A.
Calibre: 93 mm
Weight: single launcher, 11 kg; pack of two launchers, 22 kg
Weight of warhead: ca 6.5 kg
Weight of filling: 2.1 kg
Length: 920 mm
Max range: 1,000 m
Max effective range: 600 m
Min range: 25 m
Initial velocity: 125 �5 m/s
Operational temperature range: -50 to +50�C
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