RPG-27
RPG-27
Soviet disposable rocket launcher
The RPG-27 is a Soviet single shot disposable rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) shoulder-fired missile and rocket launcher. It entered service with the Soviet Army in 1989.[2]
| RPG-27 | |
|---|---|
A RPG-27 rocket launcher on display at the Tula State Museum of Weapons | |
| Type | Disposable rocket launcher[1] |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union, Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1989; 35 years ago (1989) |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Wars | War in Donbass[2] Syrian Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt |
| Designed | 1980s |
| Manufacturer | State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt |
| Produced | 1989[2] |
| Variants | RShG-1 RMG |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 7.6 kg (17 lb) |
| Length | 1,155 mm (45.5 in) |
| Caliber | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Action | 750 mm (30 in): RHA 650 mm (26 in): RHA after ERA 1.5 m (4.9 ft): reinforced concrete 3.7 m (12 ft): earth |
| Muzzle velocity | 120 m/s (390 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 200 m (660 ft) |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The RPG-27 Tavolga ('meadow grass') was developed by the State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt, as a modern, anti-tank grenade launcher with a one-stage rocket, designed to defeat modern and future tanks with advanced reactive and composite armor, and fortified infantry.[3] The RPG-27 was developed by the Soviet Union from the RPG-26.
The RPG-27 shares a close resemblance to the prior RPG-26 in that it is a man-portable, disposable anti-tank grenade launcher with a single shot capacity. The RPG-27 has a larger diameter round than the RPG-26, which enables higher armour penetration. The RPG-27 fin stabilised round is a 105 mm tandem-charge high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead with a range of 200 metres (660 ft). The round has a stated penetration ability in excess of 650 millimetres (26 in) of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) (after explosive reactive armour (ERA) and 1,500 millimetres (59 in) of brick or concrete and 3.7 metres (12 ft) of earth.
RShG-1
The RShG-1 (Реактивная Штурмовая Граната, Reaktivnaya Shturmovaya Granata, Rocket-propelled Assault Grenade) Tavolga-1 (Таволга-1) is a variant of RPG-27 with thermobaric warhead. It is intended to be used against soft skinned and lightly armored vehicles, buildings, military installations and infantry. The RShG-1 is very similar in operation to the RPG-27. It has a lethal radius of 10 metres (33 ft) and a larger sighting range of 600 metres (2,000 ft). The warhead contains 1.9 kilograms (4.2 lb) of thermobaric mixture, with an explosive yield roughly equal to that of 8 kilograms (18 lb) of TNT. Officially adopted by the Russian Government in December 2011.[4]
RMG
RMG[5][6] is a smaller, multipurpose variant of the RShG-1 that is optimized as a bunker buster and to defeat light vehicles and infantry in cover. As a result, its penetration performance against tank armor is reduced.
The launcher carries a tandem warhead. The precursor HEAT warhead penetrates armour or other obstacles (reinforced concrete, masonry, etc.). The aerosol produced by the main thermobaric warhead enters the target through the opening created by the precursor charge and combusts, producing high-explosive and incendiary effects.
The RMG (Reaktivnaya Mnogotselevaya Granata or "rocket-propelled multi-purpose grenade") rocket launcher was developed by Bazalt in the early 2000s. The launcher and round share the same designation, as is standard for disposable rocket launchers. S. Kh. Irtuganov was the lead designer for the project.[7] It was officially adopted by the Russian Government in December 2011.
Current operators
Former operators
- "Jane's international defence review: IDR". 37 (1–6). Jane's Information Group. 2004: 226, 228. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - "Ukrainian positions in Donbas shelled by deadly Russian RPG-27 Tavolga". Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. Kyiv. 11 August 2017. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- "RPG-27 Tavolga anti-tank rocket launcher (Russian Federation), Anti-tank Weapons". Jane's Infantry Weapons. 2008-01-18. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-06.
- "На вооружение ВС РФ принято несколько изделий ФГУП «ГНПП «Базальт»". 31 December 2011.
- "RMG: Modern Firearms". 28 October 2010.
- "RMG multi-purpose rocket weapon". Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- "Маленькая и малобоеспособная: Еженедельник «Военно-промышленный курьер»". vpk-news.ru. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
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