The use of RPG 7. Russian grenade launchers

The RPG-7 hand grenade launcher, along with the Kalashnikov assault rifle, is today the most popular weapon in the world. This inexpensive, simple and easy-to-use grenade launcher received a second birth in the hands of partisans. It was developed in the 1960s in the USSR, at the state enterprise "Basalt". The simplicity of the design immediately won the grenade launcher popularity in all the armies of the Warsaw Pact, in China and North Korea. By the end of the Cold War, the RPG-7 could already be found in the arsenals of more than 40 armies of the world, most of them hostile to the United States.

No one knows how many RPG-7 grenade launchers are scattered around the world's hot spots. There is not even a more or less clear idea of ​​the number of "legal" RPG-7s. Only "Basalt" and its direct licensees produced at least a million pieces.
In the age of night vision devices and smart bombs that are aimed at the target by satellites, the RPG-7 may seem like a primitive weapon, not far removed from the bow and arrow.

The RPG-7 that caused so many troubles to the Americans weighs about 8.5 kg (of which 2 kg is actually a grenade). To shoot, the weapon is taken by two handles, pointed with the help of the simplest optical sight and pull the trigger. Depending on the type of ammunition, one shot from an RPG-7 can destroy an infantry platoon in an open area, stop a tank from a distance of three football fields, or shoot down a helicopter. In a close combat situation, when the parties pour fire on each other, the RPG-7 has no equal. This became clear even in clashes with the Mujahideen during the war in Afghanistan.

At the beginning of the conflict Soviet troops usually equipped motorized rifle platoon one RPG-7. Gaining experience in the war in the mountains, Soviet soldiers appreciated the advantages of the RPG-7, and their number began to increase. The Mujahideen liked the grenade launcher even more. They began to form groups of hunters for enemy armored vehicles. Analysts claim that between 50 and 80 percent of the personnel were armed with RPG-7s. Thus, in one platoon there could be up to fifteen grenade launchers. When normal artillery was not at hand, RPG-7s were used instead of guns. And although the grenade launcher was not conceived as an air defense weapon, it became one of the most effective "helicopter killers" in history. In October 1994, two American helicopters were shot down in Mogadishu (Somalia) with just such grenade launchers. And in Afghanistan, the Mujahideen used them to ambush helicopters. For the same purpose, they are used by the irreconcilable in Iraq.

One of the reasons for the long-term success of the RPG-7 was the willingness of Bazalt to invent new warheads for the venerable weapon. CEO Russian research and production enterprise "Basalt" Anatoly Obukhov wrote in the journal "Military Parade" that the new ammunition TBG-7V (thermobaric), PG-7VR (with a tandem warhead) and OG-7V (fragmentation) allow the fighter to perform an unprecedented number of different missions on the battlefield.
The TBG-7V thermobaric charge is comparable in lethal force to a shot from a 120-mm gun. It simultaneously creates a high-temperature cloud and a powerful blast wave, tearing and burning all life within a radius of 10 meters from the point of detonation. When hit in the armor, a gap of 15x45 cm in size appears, through which vehicle heat penetrates, causing the crew to die.

One of the methods of protection against such weapons is active armor, which is actually a "skin" of explosives. When the projectile hits the tank, the active armor explodes, repelling the incoming projectile. This helps to avoid burning through the armor with molten metal. But the PG-7VR ammunition also copes with active armor. It consists of two parts, called a tandem warhead. Such a charge hits the tank twice, at strictly calculated intervals. The first part neutralizes active armor. The second pierces ordinary metal.
The OG-7V fragmentation charge was designed specifically for urban combat, where the targets are usually brick and reinforced concrete buildings. Therefore, it is necessary to get into a relatively small hole from which the enemy shoots. The accuracy of the OG-7V is very close to small arms.

History and description of the design

RPG-7D disassembled

The development of a new grenade launcher to replace the RPG-2 was started in 1958. In 1961, a new grenade launcher, designated RPG-7, was adopted by the Soviet army, and is still in service not only Russian army, but also the armies of at least 50 more states. The RPG-7 is or has been manufactured in many countries including Bulgaria, Iraq, China, Romania and others. Accordingly, the range of ammunition for it is very wide, and includes, in addition to cumulative anti-tank grenades, also high-explosive anti-personnel grenades, thermobaric (volumetric detonating), incendiary, training and other types. If the grenade launcher itself has changed very little over the past 40-odd years, then the grenades for it have undergone a significant increase in combat characteristics. So, the very first version of the PG-7V anti-tank grenade had a warhead caliber of 85 mm and armor penetration of the order of 260 mm steel armor. Adopted in 1977, the PG-7VL grenade had a warhead caliber of 93 mm and a charge of a more powerful explosive, its armor penetration reached 500 mm. Created in the late 1980s, the PG-7VR grenade with a tandem warhead of 65/105 mm caliber is capable of hitting more than 600 mm of steel armor, additionally covered with dynamic protection or anti-cumulative screens.
The RPG-7 is a smooth-bore single-shot recoilless launcher with an open rear barrel. Shooting is carried out from the shoulder, so the barrel has a special heat-insulating casing in the middle part. In the rear of the barrel there is a nozzle for ejection of powder gases, in the front there is a fire control handle assembly with a trigger mechanism (USM), and a rear grip for holding. USM with an open trigger, non-self-cocking. The grenade launcher is equipped with an open sight, but is usually equipped with a PGO-7 optical sight with a magnification of 2.7X. The sight has a rangefinder scale for a target 2.7 m high (tank), as well as scales for distance and side corrections. Specially for airborne troops a variant of the RPG-7D grenade launcher with a split barrel was created. Modern versions of the RPG-7V1 grenade launcher are distinguished by improved sights that have additional scales for firing heavier PG-7VR and TBG-7V grenades, and are also equipped with a lightweight folding bipod. Anti-tank grenades for RPG-7 have over-caliber warheads of 70-105 mm caliber, depending on the modification. tail section The grenade has a caliber of 40 mm and, when loaded, is inserted into the barrel of the grenade launcher from the front. In the middle part of the grenade there is a solid-fuel jet engine that accelerates the grenade along the trajectory. The engine nozzles are located in its front part, radially and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the grenade, providing additional stabilization on active phase flight. The grenade is launched using an expelling dynamo-reactive charge located in a burning cardboard sleeve around the tail of the grenade, which is attached before loading. When fired, part of the propellant gases of the expelling charge expires from the nozzle of the grenade launcher from behind, providing recoil compensation and creating a dangerous zone behind the shooter with a depth of more than 20 meters. The launch of the grenade rocket engine is carried out automatically, at a distance of 10-20 meters from the shooter. Some variants of grenades, such as the OG-7V fragmentation grenade, do not have a rocket engine and use only an expelling charge. Grenade stabilization on the trajectory is carried out with the help of folding stabilizers, as well as due to the rotation of the grenade caused by a special impeller in its tail section and bevels on the stabilizers.

The RPG-7 anti-tank grenade launcher is a trouble-free weapon designed to fire shaped charges. The RPG-7 grenade launcher, along with the Kalashnikov assault rifle, is one of the most popular weapons that was developed in the USSR and is still in demand.

The main purpose of the RPG-7 grenade launcher is the destruction of enemy armored vehicles. In addition, the RPG-7 grenade launcher can be used quite effectively to destroy manpower and low-flying air targets. The RPG-7 was put into service in 1961, after which it repeatedly proved its effectiveness during various military conflicts.

For the first time, the RPG-7 grenade launcher was used in Vietnam, coming as a complete surprise to the US Army. Thanks to the use of modernized ammunition, RPG-7 shooting still poses a serious danger to modern armored vehicles and helicopters.

The history of the appearance of the RPG-7

After the end of the Great Patriotic War, by the beginning of the 1950s, the main anti-tank weapons of the USSR army were:

• Guns B-10 and B-11;
• RPG-2 hand grenade launcher;
• Rifle grenade launcher VG-45;
• Mounted grenade launcher SG-82;
• Grenade RKG-3.

By 1954, after conducting large-scale research on the compliance of the weapons of the USSR army with modern realities, the NII-3 of the artillery department issued an order to develop more modern models of hand grenade launchers.

At this time, many defense enterprises throughout the USSR were engaged in the development of grenade launchers. Since the development of grenade launchers was not a priority, initial developments often transferred from one design office to another. In order to develop a new grenade launcher as soon as possible, GSKB-47 was appointed responsible for the development of new weapons, and all documents and developments were transferred there.

During these years, GSKB-47 created its own development of a grenade launcher, which, after a series of tests, was named RPG-4. This device significantly exceeded the RPG-2 in its characteristics. In 1961, the first tests of the RPG-7 with a jet shot took place, on which this weapon showed such performance characteristics that the RPG-4 grenade launcher was never adopted as the least promising model.

The first grenade launcher, which was developed by GSKB-47 (now this enterprise is called GNPP Bazalt), and was put into service, was the RPG-7 grenade launcher. The charge for this grenade launcher was named PG-7V. The chief designer of the RPG-7 grenade launcher was Firulin, who also developed a cartridge for this grenade launcher, receiving a state award for this in 1964.

Adopted on June 16, 1961, the RPG-7 grenade launcher is still in service with the Russian army. Various sights for the RPG-7 made this weapon multifunctional.

Design features of the RPG-7

A feature of the grenade launcher is that the grenade, flying out of the RPG-7 barrel, practically does not give any return. This type of weapon is called dynamo-active. When developing the RPG-7, reusable recoilless launch schemes were used, which proved to be excellent in the tests of the RPG-4. The RPG-7 grenade launcher itself consists of the following parts:

• The barrel, which houses the sights of two types, mechanical and optical;
• Fighting mechanism;
• Trigger system, which is equipped with a fuse.

The RPG-7 barrel itself consists of a pipe and a pipe. Its purpose is to direct the flight of the charge and the removal of powder gases that are released when fired. The RPG-7 grenade launcher has a barrel extended in the middle, which allows for more efficient use of charge energy, thereby increasing its flight range. The bell, which is in the breech, provides the weapon with recoillessness.

Sights RPG-7

Sights RPG-7 provide the correct direction of the charge fired from the grenade launcher. The grenade launcher has mechanical and optical sights. A mechanical sight is used in extreme cases, when the optics are disabled, and the charge must be given at least an approximate direction. Naturally, when using a mechanical sight, you can forget about shooting at a distance.

Main sighting device, which is used on the RPG-7 is an optical sight. It comes in several modifications:

• PGO-7;
• PGO-7V;
• PGO-7V-2;
• PGO-7V-3.

This sight is of a sufficiently high class and allows you to monitor the battlefield and aim weapons at the target, making adjustments for the range and speed of the target. Also, it is necessary to take into account the ballistics of various types of ammunition.

The sight is complex system lenses and prisms, which are in a durable metal case. The body is filled with dry nitrogen, which completely prevents fogging of the lenses of the optical sight. The optics of the RPG-7 is capable of providing a stable 2.7x magnification. Light filters, which the sight is equipped with, improve visibility in difficult weather conditions. To avoid sun glare, which can indicate to an enemy sniper the presence of an enemy, the sight has a rubber cap that fits over the lens.

The PGO-7V sight reticle is equipped with various correction scales that allow you to quickly calculate the distance to the target and quickly fire a grenade launcher. In the dark, the reticle is illuminated. In addition to the fact that the sight is capable of operating in a wide temperature range, it can withstand significant mechanical loads.

Also on the RPG-7, you can install various night sights, such as PNG-1 (specialized sight for grenade launchers), NSPUM or NSPU-3. If the grenade launcher is equipped with a night sight, then a light-blocking mechanism is included in its design, which eliminates the possibility of the sight being illuminated by the shot flame.

In addition to the above types of sights, a universal sighting device is produced for the RPG-7, the task of which is to increase the firing range due to the corrections that it introduces into the optical sight. This mechanical device has been used since 2001 in the RPG-7D3 and RPG-7V2 modifications. This device is used only together with an optical sight, allowing you to increase the distance of destruction by fragmentation and thermobaric charges.

Together with the RPG-7, many other types of sights were used:

• Various homemade sights;
• Collimator sights;
• Laser sights.

Handicraft sights were made in case of damage to regular optical sights, and the use of expensive laser models justified itself in the case of using the RPG-7 to eliminate aircraft or helicopters.

Various modifications of the RPG-7

In addition to the basic RPG-7 model, there are many modifications of this weapon, which differ from each other in sights or options with a collapsible barrel:

• The RPG-7 is the base model, which was put into service in 1961. It was equipped with a PGO-7 optical sight, which was the base in the line of sights;
• RPG-7V differs from the basic version only in the type of optical sight installed. The PGO-7V sight has corrected aiming angles;
• RPG-7D. The letter "D" in the name of this modification means that this is a landing version of the grenade launcher. This weapon, put into service in 1963, is distinguished by the presence of a disassembled barrel and a special bipod for firing;
• RPG-7N / RPG-7DN are the so-called "night" versions of the RPG-7. Equipped with night sights PGN-1, NSPU, or NSPUM;
• RPG-7V1 - modification of 1988, designed to use new types of projectiles. Optical sight PGO-7V3, which was equipped with this modification, has a special aiming scale adapted specifically for the new PG-7VR and TBG-7V missiles. Has a removable bipod;
• RPG-7D1 - a new amphibious modification in 1988. Has a sight PGO-7V3;
• RPG-7V2 - modification of the 2001 grenade launcher, with a universal sight UP-7V;
• The RPG-7D2 and RPG-7D3 are amphibious modifications of the 2001 RPG.

For all these models of the RPG-7 grenade launcher, there are many types of projectiles that differ from each other in the structure of the warhead and type. All RPG-7 models can use any type of charge. Grenades for RPG-7 are of the following types:

1. Anti-tank;
2. anti-personnel;
3. Thermobaric;
4. Incendiary.

In addition, there are training grenades and several other types.

Tactics of use and combat use of the RPG-7

The RPG-7 grenade launcher was developed to destroy armored vehicles, so this is precisely its primary task. The range of a direct shot from an RPG-7 can reach 330 meters. Often RPG-7 is used not only to destroy tanks, but also to eliminate low-flying targets, which include various types of helicopters.

During the war in Afghanistan, local bandits often used RPG-7s to destroy Soviet infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and helicopters. Sometimes they also tried to shoot down planes, using high mountains for this purpose. With the advent of the American Stingers, the RPG-7 was no longer used by bandits in the fight against Soviet aircraft.

In addition to fighting vehicles, the RPG-7 was actively used to destroy enemy fortifications and against infantry clusters. As a rule, RPG-7 fire is not fired at individual living targets, as this is impractical.

The first combat use of the RPG-7 took place in 1968, during the conflict in Vietnam. For American soldiers, the appearance of this weapon on the battlefield was an unpleasant surprise.

After its debut in Vietnam, the RPG-7 and its modifications began to be used in almost all wars and conflicts of our time. The grenade launcher fell in love with the military and rebels of various countries for its reliability, non-failure operation and simplicity of design. In addition, using the relatively inexpensive RPG-7, it was possible to destroy the opponent's expensive armored vehicles at minimal cost.

During the Iraq War, almost half of all US military casualties came from RPG-7s. The lightly armored Hummers, which were completely defenseless against hits from RPG-7s, were especially affected by the grenade launcher. Using surprise strike tactics, Iraqi fighters often fired RPGs at clusters of American soldiers.

With the development of modern armored vehicles, which are equipped with dynamic protection systems, the RPG-7 is gradually losing its relevance. Already during the first war in Chechnya, in order to destroy the T-80 tank, the militants had to hit it at least 7 times. During the Iraq War in 2003, 15 hits were recorded on the American Challenger 2 tank, as a result of which its armor was never pierced. At the same time, the older M1 Abrams tanks are quite easily destroyed if they hit the stern or sides. In the event of a successful hit by a grenade fired from an RPG-7, the tank has a 50% chance of being eliminated from the battle.

These statistics show that although RPG-7 is not enough for powerful world powers serious weapon, mostly weak developed countries this grenade launcher will be the most effective weapon for more than a dozen years.

Briefly about the main advantages and disadvantages of the RPG-7

The main advantages of the RPG-7, which have been appreciated around the world, are:

• Reliability of weapons;
• Minimum price;
• Lack of recoil when fired;
• Ease of use.

In addition to these undeniable advantages, the RPG-7 has one serious drawback. A missile launch is accompanied by a launch charge jet that can cause damage at a distance of up to 30 meters. To avoid the consequences of this shortcoming, you must strictly observe safety precautions.

As Soviet Union actively supplied the RPG-7 as military assistance to a large number of countries supporting the path of socialism, now this grenade launcher is in service with more than 40 countries of the world.

The intensive saturation of the armies of the most developed countries with armored vehicles and its use in almost all types of combined arms combat created conditions under which anti-tank and field artillery could not accompany and provide fire support to infantry everywhere. There was a need to equip it with a powerful anti-tank weapons, which would provide her with the opportunity to successfully fight tanks in close combat.

Perhaps, for the first time in the country, an attempt was made to reflect in historical terms the process of creation and development of anti-tank grenade launchers, which are the most massive view weapons of this kind.

BASIC performance characteristics of shots for RPG-7V

ammunition	PG-7V	PG-7VM	PG-7VS	PG-7VL
Warhead caliber, mm	85	70	72	93
Weight, kg	2,2	2,0	2,0	2,6
Direct shot range, m	330	310	310	250
Sighting range, m	500	500	500	300
The initial speed of the grenade, m / s	120	140	140	112
Maximum grenade speed, m/s	300	300	300	200
Armor penetration, mm	260	300	400	500

In the PG-7VS shot stabilizer, the bevel angles of the blades were reduced, which led to a decrease in the speed of rotation of the grenade and a decrease in the spraying of the cumulative jet under the action of centrifugal forces. The grenade has a caliber of 72 mm, a weight of 1.6 kg, and a length of 665 mm. equipped with a VP-7M fuse and a PG-7PM powder charge. In 1972-76, a PG-7VS1 round was produced with an armor penetration of 360 mm, the warhead of which was equipped with a cheaper explosive.

In connection with the use of multilayer composite armor for tanks, the development of a new shot with increased penetration was started. As a result, in 1977, the PG-7VL shot was adopted (the name during testing was Luch, the lead designer was V.M. Lenin) with an armor penetration of 500 mm. This was achieved by increasing the caliber of the grenade to 93 mm and the mass of the Okfol explosive charge. The weight of the PG-7VL shot is 2.6 kg, the weight of the grenade is 2.2 kg, the length of the shot is 990 mm, the length of the grenade is 700 mm. An increase in the mass of the grenade led to a decrease in its initial speed to 112 m / s, and an effective firing range - up to 300 m. A fuse of increased safety and reliability - VP-22 with reduced overall mass characteristics was developed for the new grenade. In addition to destroying tanks with composite armor, the PG-7VL grenade provides penetration of a brick wall 1.5 m thick, a reinforced concrete slab 1.1 m thick. The new shot significantly expanded the combat capabilities of hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers.

The grenade launcher is equipped with an open sight, but is usually equipped with a PGO-7 optical sight with a magnification of 2.7X. The sight has a rangefinder scale for a target 2.7m high (tank), as well as scales for distance and side corrections. Especially for the airborne troops, a variant of the RPG-7D grenade launcher with a split barrel was created. Modern versions of the RPG-7V1 grenade launcher are distinguished by improved sights that have additional scales for firing heavier PG-7VR and TBG-7V grenades, and are also equipped with a lightweight folding bipod.

Anti-tank grenades for RPG-7 have over-caliber warheads of 70-105 mm caliber, depending on the modification. The tail of the grenade has a caliber of 40 mm and, when loaded, is inserted into the grenade launcher barrel from the front. In the middle part of the grenade is a solid-propellant jet engine that accelerates the grenade along the trajectory. The engine nozzles are located in its front part, radially and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the grenade, providing additional stabilization in the active phase of flight. The grenade is launched using an expelling dynamo reactive charge located in a burning cardboard sleeve around the tail of the grenade, which is attached before loading.
When fired, part of the propellant gases of the expelling charge expires from the nozzle of the grenade launcher from behind, providing recoil compensation and creating a dangerous zone behind the shooter with a depth of more than 20 meters. The launch of the grenade rocket engine is carried out automatically, at a distance of 10-20 meters from the shooter. Some variants of grenades, such as the OG-7V fragmentation grenade, do not have a rocket engine and use only an expelling charge. Grenade stabilization on the trajectory is carried out with the help of folding stabilizers, as well as due to the rotation of the grenade caused by a special impeller in its tail section and bevels on the stabilizers.

Nomenclature of grenades for RPG-7

Anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade PG-7VL

Anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade PG-7VR with tandem warhead

Thermobaric rocket-propelled grenade TBG-7V (with warhead volumetric explosion)

Fragmentation (anti-personnel) grenade OG-7V

Application tactics

The main target of the RPG-7 grenade launcher is enemy armored vehicles (usually tanks). Additional targets include low-flying air targets (for example, helicopters), fortifications and enemy firing points. Fire from the RPG-7 on open-standing individual living targets is not conducted, due to low efficiency and inexpediency, however, it can be fired at those who have taken refuge in buildings or other structures, or at large concentrations of infantry. The optimal fire zone from the RPG-7 grenade launcher is 100-200 m. The RPG-7 grenade launcher can be effectively used by one person, however, the regular calculation usually consists of two people - the shooter himself and the ammunition carrier.

Combat use

The first baptism of fire RPG-7 took place in 1968 in Vietnam. Since then, it has been actively used in almost all modern armed conflicts and local wars, which is primarily due to its simplicity, reliability, and significant efficiency.
Gradually, RPG-7 with old types of rounds (such as PG-7V) lose their effectiveness against modern main battle tanks, which is primarily due to the development of dynamic protection. So, during the first Chechen campaign, to defeat one T-80 tank, 7-8 RPG-7 hits were required; during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, one of the British tanks "Challenger" -2 received 15 hits of anti-tank grenade launchers without breaking through the armor. The re-equipment of even the Russian army with more modern rounds with tandem warheads, such as the PG-7VR, is proceeding rather slowly, in many other countries operating the RPG-7, the obsolete PG-7V and PG-7VM remain the only available ammunition for it.

RPG-7 grenade launcher (GRAU index - 6G3) - Soviet / Russian reusable hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher (also a rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade) for firing cumulative ammunition. Designed to fight tanks, self-propelled artillery mounts and other armored vehicles of the enemy, can be used to destroy enemy manpower in shelters, as well as to combat low-flying air targets.

RPG-7 grenade launcher - video

Developed by GSKB-47 (now GNPP Bazalt) and put into service in 1961. More than 9,000,000 RPG-7s have been produced. It has been effectively used in almost all armed conflicts from 1968 (when it was first used in Vietnam) to the present day. Thanks to the emergence of new ammunition, the RPG-7 poses a significant danger to modern armored vehicles, and therefore remains in demand today.

In the early 50s, the system of anti-tank melee weapons of the Soviet army included the RKG-3 hand grenade, the VG-45 rifle grenade launcher, the RPG-2 hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher, the SG-82 easel anti-tank grenade launcher and the B-10 and B- recoilless guns. eleven. In 1954, the NII-3 of the Main Artillery Directorate, after conducting extensive research to determine the compliance of this system with the modern requirements of the troops, issued tactical and technical requirements for the development of more advanced hand grenade launchers. By this time, a number of enterprises were engaged in the development of grenade launchers: GSKB-30, NII-24, NII-6 (all Moscow), a branch of NII-1 and SNIP (Krasnoarmeysk, Moscow Region), NIIII (Balashikha, Moscow Region). ).

But grenade launchers were not the main focus of these enterprises, and therefore the developments were often transferred from one enterprise to another, which naturally led to the fragmentation of tasks: the creative potential of specialists was not fully used. With a view to holding a unified technical policy, concentration of forces and means by order of the State Committee for Defense Technology in 1958, GSKB-47 (Moscow) (now FSUE GNPP Bazalt) with a branch in Krasnoarmeysk, Moscow Region (Krasnoarmeyskoye Scientific and at the same time, the grenade launcher department from the NIII (Balashikha) was transferred to GSKB-47, and the corresponding departments of the branch of NII-1 and SNIP were transferred to the Krasnoarmeisky branch.

In 1958-1961, the GNPP "Basalt" (then GSKB-47) carried out work on the creation of a 45-mm RPG-150 grenade launcher with an 83-mm PG-150 over-caliber grenade. After conducting field tests, this complex was named RPG-4. In 1958, the RPG-4 complex passed military, and in 1961 - field tests. It fully met the requirements of the tactical and technical assignment for its development and surpassed its predecessor RPG-2 in the main indicators. However, by this time, the first results had been obtained on the RPG-7 with the PG-7V active-reactive shot, the main characteristics of which (firing range and armor penetration) were significantly superior to the RPG-4. As a result, the RPG-4 complex was not put into service.

The first grenade launcher system developed by the Krasnoarmeisky subdivision of the GNPP Bazalt (then GSKB-47) and put into service was the RPG-7 hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher with a PG-7V round. The development of the grenade launcher took place in 1958-1961. Chief designer - V.K. Firulin. The Tula TsKIB SOO, the Kovrov Mechanical Plant (the work on the grenade launcher in the Kovrov OKB-575 was carried out by V.V. Degtyarev), the Vysokogorsk Mechanical Plant, the Nizhny Tagil Chemical Plant Planta, and others, the chief designer of OKB-575 A, took part in the creation of the grenade launcher .Nikiforenko, chief engineer of OKB-575 I. Potapov, head of the 5th department of OKB-575 A. Sorokin, as well as the lead designer of RPG-7 V.V. Degtyarev, designers A.Alymov, M.Gorbunov, A.Ivashutich, A.Sevastyanova and others. The PG-7V shot for the RPG-7 grenade launcher was designed by V.K. Firulin (State Prize of the USSR - 1964). Factory tests were carried out from February 25 to June 11, 1960. The tests were successful. The complex was put into service on June 16, 1961 and is still in service with the Russian army. The development of shots with grenades of various damaging effects for the grenade launcher, the improvement of sighting devices significantly expanded the capabilities of the grenade launcher and made it multi-purpose.

RPG-7 design

RPG-7 is a light dynamo-reactive (no recoil when fired) weapon. The grenade launcher and the shot were based on the schemes of a reusable recoilless launcher and a shot with an over-caliber warhead that justified themselves in the RPG-2. The grenade launcher consists of a barrel with optical and mechanical sights, a trigger mechanism with a fuse, and a firing mechanism.

grenade launcher barrel

The barrel of a grenade launcher consists of a pipe and a pipe and serves to direct the flight of a grenade and to remove powder gases when fired. Unlike the RPG-2, the RPG-7 grenade launcher has an extension of the barrel in its middle part - a charging chamber - for a more complete use of the energy of the propellant charge, and a bell in the breech - to ensure the recoillessness of the complex.

trigger mechanism

Trigger mechanism - serves to pull the trigger from the cocking, strike the striker and to set the fuse.

Sights

Mechanical sight

Mechanical sight - used in case of damage (failure) of the optical sight.

Optical sight

The main one for the RPG-7 is the PGO-7 optical sight (or its modifications PGO-7V, PGO-7V-2, PGO-7V-3). The optical sight is designed to monitor the battlefield, determine the distance to the target, introduce corrections for the range and speed of the target, taking into account the ballistics of various ammunition and pointing the grenade launcher at the target, taking into account the amendments. The sight is an optical system of lenses and prisms enclosed in a sealed metal case filled with dry nitrogen to prevent fogging. The optical sight provides a fixed visible increase in the target of 2.7 times. The sight is equipped with a set of light filters that improve visibility in difficult weather conditions. To prevent unmasking glare from the sun and pollution, the sight is equipped with a rubber cap that is put on the lens.

The reticle of the PGO-7V sight has a developed correction scale, as well as a rangefinder scale that allows you to quickly determine the range to a tank-type target (2.7 m high). The handwheel provides the input of aiming angles within the range of 0 - 51.2 artillery units, and the aiming mark on the grid: 0 - 45.7. In poor light conditions, the sight reticle can be illuminated. The backlight lamp uses A316 or 2RTs63 galvanic batteries. The sight retains its characteristics in a wide temperature range (from -50 to +50 °C), and is also able to withstand high mechanical loads.

Night optical sight

The RPG-7 grenade launcher can be equipped with first-generation night sights (such as the specialized PGN-1 grenade launcher night sight, or the NSPUM universal night sight (product 1PN58)) or second-generation night sights NSPU-3. A grenade launcher with a night sight additionally introduces a light-blocking mechanism that prevents the sight from being illuminated by the flame of its own shot.

Universal aiming device

The universal sighting device is a mechanical device weighing 0.55 kg for introducing amendments to the optical sight. It has been used since 2001 in RPG-7V2 (RPG-7D3) modification grenade launchers together with an optical sight. Allows you to significantly increase the effective range of thermobaric (TBG-7V) and fragmentation (OG-7V) grenades: up to 550 and 700 meters, respectively.

Other types of sights

Together with the RPG-7, other sights are also used (including handicraft ones): from home-made mechanical sights to replace damaged original ones, to high-tech laser and collimator sights. Most of these devices do not allow corrections for the range and movement of the target, therefore, they are effective only at short ranges.

RPG-7 modifications

Based on the basic version of the RPG-7, a lightweight amphibious version of the grenade launcher with a split barrel was created, as well as a number of modifications that differ in sights:

RPG-7(GRAU index - 6G3) - The first model put into service in 1961. It was equipped with a PGO-7 optical sight.

RPG-7V(GRAU index - 6G3) - already in the early 1960s, the RPG-7 began to be equipped with the PGO-7V sight with corrected aiming angles, and since then it has been called the RPG-7V.

RPG-7D(GRAU index - 6G5) - landing version, with a split barrel and bipod. Adopted in 1963.

RPG-7N / RPG-7DN(GRAU index - 6G3 and 6G5) - RPG-7V and RPG-7D modifications equipped with night sights PGN-1, NSPU, or NSPUM (1PN58)

RPG-7V1(GRAU index - 6G3-1) - modification of 1988 with a PGO-7V3 optical sight, the aiming scale of which is designed for firing new shots PG-7VR and TBG-7V, along with all the old shots. Also added a removable bipod

RPG-7D1(GRAU index - 6G5M) - modification of the 1988 landing version of the grenade launcher with the installation of the PGO-7V3 sight

RPG-7V2(GRAU index - 6G3-2) - modification of 2001 with a universal sighting device UP-7V

RPG-7D2(GRAU index - 6G5M2) - 2001 modification of the landing version with a universal sighting device UP-7V

RPG-7D3(GRAU index - 6G5M3) - modification of 2001, landing version of the RPG-7V2

Airtronic USA RPG-7- A clone of the RPG-7 made in the USA. As of 2013, it is in service with the forces special operations Peru.

Airtronic USA Mk.777- a clone of the RPG-7 made in the USA, lightened up to 3.5 kg. The resource is about 500-1000 shots.

Grenades for RPG-7

Shot structure for RPG-7

Despite the variety of existing shots for the RPG-7, they all have a similar structure and differ only in the type and structure of the warhead. The shot is divided into 3 parts: the warhead, which provides direct hitting of the target, the jet engine, which provides acceleration of the grenade on the flight trajectory, and the powder charge, which ensures the launch of the grenade from the grenade launcher tube.

The jet engine is attached to the rear of the grenade head and is structurally simple. In a chamber 250 mm long there is a reactive charge - a checker of nitroglycerin gunpowder (between the diaphragm and the stop), as well as a pyro-retarder with an igniter from smoky gunpowder (DRP). During the combustion of the checker, the powder gases flow out at high speed through the six holes of the nozzle block back, and the jet stream that occurs in this case moves the grenade. To ensure the correct flight of the grenade, a stabilizer is located behind the jet engine. So that high-temperature powder gases flowing from the nozzles do not damage the stabilizer, the nozzle block is located at the front end of the engine housing (almost in the center of gravity), and the nozzles have a slight inclination to the engine axis. Such an arrangement of the nozzle block is effective from the point of view of ensuring the correctness of the flight.

To inform the grenade of the initial speed, a starting powder charge is attached to the jet engine during loading on the thread. It is placed in a cardboard sleeve, along the axis of which there is a stabilizer tube with four folded feathers, freely rotating on the axes. The stabilizer tube ends at the back with an impeller with inclined blades. There is a tracer in the turbine to monitor the flight of the grenade. A band of nitroglycerin powder is placed around the stabilizer tube, inside it is an igniter made of smoky gunpowder.

The ignition of the starting powder charge occurs from the impact of the striker on the igniter capsule located in the bottom of the jet engine. The beam of fire from the primer-igniter passes through the L-shaped channel, igniting a sample of smoky gunpowder and tape gunpowder. High pressure of the formed gases breaks through the cardboard sleeve, and the gases fill the volume of the grenade launcher's charging chamber. When the pressure in the chamber reaches a certain limit, sufficient to push the foam wad through the nozzle of the grenade launcher, the outflow of gases begins. The purpose of the charging chamber and the wad is to ensure that even before the start of the outflow of gases, the necessary pressure arises, under the influence of which the energy of the powder gases will be more fully used for useful work according to the movement of the grenade. With the onset of the outflow of gases, the grenade begins to move forward along the barrel, as well as its rotation (as a result of the impact of gases on the turbine). The maximum pressure of powder gases in the barrel of a grenade launcher does not exceed 900 kg / cm2, which is 3-4 times less than in the barrel of a weapon with a closed bolt. With the beginning of the movement of the grenade, the primer of the pyro-retarder of the jet engine is pricked, and the retarding composition of the pyro-retarder begins to burn.

When a grenade leaves the barrel, under the action of centrifugal forces and the oncoming air flow, the stabilizer blades open. After the grenade is removed from the shooter at a safe distance of 15-20 m, the igniter of the DRP and the jet engine checker light up from the pyro-retarder. The resulting gases are pushed out of the nozzles by the sealers; the engine starts. The gases flowing from the engine nozzles create a reactive force that gives the grenade additional speed. Engine operation time - 0.4-0.6 s. During this time, the grenade flies 100-120 m (active part of the trajectory). The speed of the grenade from 120 m / s at the time of departure increases at the end of the active section of the trajectory to 300 m / s. The rotation of the grenade around its longitudinal axis in flight is supported by the impact of the oncoming air flow on the bevels of the stabilizer blades and on the impeller installed in the tail section of the stabilizer, and is several tens of revolutions per second. The stabilized flight of the grenade is provided by its tail unit - four stabilizer blades.

The rotation of the grenade around its longitudinal axis is used to increase the accuracy of fire, so when the grenade rotates, the effect on the dispersion of errors in the symmetry of the stabilizer blades, nozzle block and grenade body, inevitable within tolerances in mass production, is reduced. For example, if one blade of the stabilizer has some kind of error, then the rotating grenade will not deviate from the given direction because of this. Another grenade may have a different inaccuracy in manufacturing and will receive a deviation in flight because of this, which does not coincide with the first. Therefore, dispersion when firing non-rotating projectiles, the flight of which is stabilized by the tail unit, is increased. In the case where the feathered grenade is given rotation, a manufacturing error that causes this moment, for example, the deviation of the grenade to the right, after half a turn will lead to a deviation to the left, i.e. in the opposite direction. In the same way, other errors in the manufacture of grenades every half-turn will cause deviations in opposite directions. Thus, it is possible to average out the eccentricities of the masses and the reactive force, as a result of which the rotation of the feathered projectiles reduces their dispersion. This ensures a high frequency of hitting the tank, especially within the range of a direct shot.

In order to better understand the significance of the rotation of feathered projectiles, the following must be kept in mind. The speed of rotation around its longitudinal axis of feathered projectiles is called slow (although it is tens of revolutions per second). The rotation of non-feathered projectiles, at which stabilization of their flight is achieved, is several hundred revolutions per second, and for bullets small arms- several thousand revolutions per second. Only at such a high rotational speed do non-feathered projectiles acquire the properties of a gyroscope, and their flight becomes stabilized.

Subsequently, the PG-7VM shot was developed for the RPG-7 grenade launcher (M means modernized - the leading designer V.I. Medvedev), which was put into service in 1969. The caliber and mass of the new round have been reduced to 70 mm and 2.0 kg, respectively (instead of 85 mm and 2.2 kg for the PG-7V round). At the same time, the accuracy of fire improved (by increasing the wind resistance of the grenade) and armor penetration from 260 mm to 300 mm. The fuse was upgraded, which received the name VP-7M, its operation became more stable. The starting powder charge of the new shot, which received the name PG-7PM, has also undergone changes. The use of a new starting charge made it possible to increase the initial velocity of the grenade from 120 m/s to 140 m/s. By increasing the initial speed of the grenade, it was possible to improve its external ballistic characteristics. Despite the increase in the initial speed of the grenade, its maximum speed remained the same - 300 m/s. This made it possible to practically combine the flight paths of both grenades and use the same marks on the optical sight scale (or mechanical sight divisions) when firing. The values ​​of corrections for side wind when firing grenades of the PG-7VM shot are much less.

So, at a distance of 300 m, the correction for a moderate side wind for a PG-7V shot is one and a half divisions of the lateral correction scale (15 thousandths), and for an upgraded shot - one division (10 thousandths). The dispersion of grenades of the PG-7V shot is characterized by median deviations in height Вв = 0.4 m and in the lateral direction Вb = 0.5 m, and for grenades of the modernized shot, respectively, 0.3 m and 0.4 m. Thus, for due to the modernization of the shot, the frequency of hitting the target was increased. In terms of device, action, handling, capping and coloring, both shots are the same. But starting powder charges PG-7P and PG-7PM are not interchangeable. Therefore, the use of a PG-7P powder charge in a PG-7VM shot or a PG-7PM powder charge in a PG-7V shot is not allowed. The PG-7VM shot was produced by the Soviet industry until 1976.

Since the beginning of the 70s, the improvement of the RPG-7V grenade launcher system has been carried out through the development of new rounds. So, in 1972, a PG-7VS shot was developed for the RPG-7V and RPG-7D grenade launchers (leading designers V.P. Zaitsev and O.F. Dzyadukh) with a more powerful charge of phlegmatized octogen (it is called okfol). The armor penetration of the new shot has increased to 400 mm. In the PG-7VS shot stabilizer, the bevel angles of the blades were reduced, which led to a decrease in the speed of rotation of the grenade and a decrease in the spraying of the cumulative jet under the action of centrifugal forces. The grenade has a caliber of 72 mm, a mass of 1.6 kg, a length of 665 mm, and is equipped with a VP-7M fuse and a PG-7PM powder charge. In 1972-76, a PG-7VS1 round was produced with an armor penetration of 360 mm, the warhead of which was equipped with a cheaper explosive.

In connection with the use of multilayer composite armor for tanks, the development of a new shot with increased penetration was started. As a result, in 1977, the PG-7VL shot was adopted (the name during development was “Luch”, the leading designer V.M. Lenin) with armor penetration of 500 mm .. This was achieved by increasing the caliber of the grenade to 93 mm and the mass of the explosive explosive charge brand "okfol". The mass of the PG-7VL shot is 2.6 kg, the mass of the grenade is 2.2 kg, the shot length is 990 mm, the grenade length is 700 mm. An increase in the mass of the grenade led to a decrease in its initial speed to 112 m / s, and an effective firing range to 300 m. A fuse of increased safety and reliability - VP-22 with reduced overall mass characteristics was developed for the new grenade. In addition to destroying tanks with composite armor, the PG-7VL grenade provides penetration of a brick wall 1.5 m thick, a reinforced concrete slab 1.1 m thick.

In the early 80s, tanks appeared, the armor of which is covered by the so-called dynamic protection (DZ). To combat tanks with remote sensing, the RPG-7V grenade launcher was developed and in 1988, for the first time in the world, the PG-7VR shot (the name during testing was “Summary”, lead designer A.B. Kulakovsky) with a tandem combat part. The warhead of the grenade consists of the front part (precharge) of 64 mm caliber with a piezoelectric fuse and the main warhead of 105 mm caliber. The mass of the PG-7VR shot is 4.5 kg, the effective firing range is 200 m.

Unlike previous shots, due to the large length of the warhead in the stowed position, the PG-7VR shot is disconnected along the threaded connection of the warhead and the assembly of the jet engine with a propellant (starting) charge. The design of the jet engine and the propellant charge of the PG-7VR shot is similar to the PG-7VL shot, but has some design improvements. So, for a more reliable opening of the stabilizer blades, given the slower rotation of the grenade by the impeller due to its greater mass, springs were introduced into the design of the stabilizer. The PG-7VR shot with a tandem warhead was demonstrated in the spring of 1993 at the IDEX-93 international arms exhibition in Abu Dhabi (Joint United Arab Emirates), where the PG-7VR grenade pierced a reinforced concrete block 1.5 m thick.

In addition to the PG-7VR shot, a new-purpose shot TBG-7V was developed for the RPG-7V grenade launcher (the name during testing was “Tanin”, lead designer A.B. Kulakovsky). It has a thermobaric (high-explosive) warhead of 105 mm caliber and a jet engine assembly with a propellant charge completely borrowed from the PG-7VR shot. The mass of the TBG-7V shot is 4.5 kg, the effective firing range is 200 m. When it encounters an obstacle, a bottom inertial fuse is triggered, which first detonates the igniter-explosive, and then the main charge of the thermobaric mixture. The result is a volumetric explosion, the efficiency of which is higher than in the explosion of a conventional explosive. The TBG-7 grenade is designed to destroy manpower in trenches, bunkers, field-type shelters, and other premises when ammunition gets inside, as well as when a warhead breaks at distances up to 2 m from a window or loophole. By the power of action, this grenade is comparable to an artillery shell or a 120 mm caliber mine. In addition to manpower, unarmored or lightly armored vehicles can also be hit with the help of a TBG-7V shot.

In 1998 - 1999, an OG-7V round with a caliber fragmentation grenade (lead designer M.M. Konovaev) was developed for the RPG-7V1 grenade launcher. The OG-7V shot is designed to suppress manpower, including those with personal protective equipment (body armor), located in open areas, in field-type shelters and buildings, to destroy unarmored vehicles. The grenade does not have a jet engine, its caliber is 40 mm, the weight of the shot is 2.0 kg. The shot is completed with a regular propellant charge PG-7PM.

Simultaneously with the development of a fragmentation grenade for the RPG-7V1 grenade launcher, a universal sighting device UP-7V was developed, which allows increasing the firing range of TBG-7V and OG-7V rounds. Range of aimed fire with a shot OG-7V: from RPG-7V - 280 m; from RPG-7V1 - 350 m; from RPG-7V1 with UP-7V - 700 m. The grenade launcher, which includes the UP-7V device, was named RPG-7V2.

Nomenclature of grenades for RPG-7

The grenade launcher itself has changed little, but various types of grenades have been developed for it: cumulative anti-tank, including tandem, high-explosive anti-personnel, thermobaric (volumetric detonating), incendiary, as well as training and other types of grenades.

The use of RPG-7

Application tactics

The main target of the RPG-7 grenade launcher is enemy armored vehicles (usually tanks). The range of a direct shot at a target 2 meters high is 330 meters. Additional targets include low-flying air targets (for example, helicopters), fortifications and enemy firing points. Fire from the RPG-7 on openly standing individual living targets is not conducted, due to low efficiency and inexpediency, however, it can be fired at those who have taken refuge in buildings or other structures, or at large concentrations of infantry. The RPG-7 grenade launcher can be effectively used by one person, however, the regular calculation, as a rule, consists of two people - the shooter himself and the ammunition carrier.

Combat use

The baptism of fire of the RPG-7 took place in 1968 in Vietnam. Since then, it has been actively used in almost all armed conflicts and local wars, which is primarily due to its simplicity, reliability, and significant efficiency. He is especially popular in local conflicts around the planet. More than half of the losses of the American army in Iraq fell on the losses from the RPG-7. After all, light armored vehicles like the Hammer have no chance of resisting a shot from an RPG-7. As a light and relatively powerful weapon, the RPG-7 is also used against enemy manpower. In order to increase the effectiveness of defeating a shaped charge, unsuitable for combating manpower, Chechen fighters attached TNT checkers to an RPG grenade, and gasoline could also be poured into a cumulative grenade funnel. RPG-7s are also effective against manpower in shelters: checkpoints and buildings. During the war in Chechnya, it was around the RPG-7 that militant attack tactics were built: a militant with an RPG-7 fired at military equipment. He was covered by one or two machine gunners. The machine gunner cut off help and did not allow to be evacuated from the damaged military equipment. And a sniper from the SVD conducted aimed fire at the means of observation and communication of the tank and other armored vehicles.

Gradually, RPG-7s with old types of shots (such as PG-7V) lose their effectiveness against modern main battle tanks, which is primarily due to the development of dynamic protection. So, during the first Chechen campaign, to defeat one T-80 tank, 7-8 RPG-7 hits were required; during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, one of the British Challenger 2 tanks received 15 hits from anti-tank grenade launchers without breaking through the armor. But, on the other hand, some American tanks M1 Abrams were knocked out in Iraq from RPG-7s in the stern and sides of the MTO. The defeat of the Abrams tank occurred in more than half of the cases when a grenade hit the side. In many other countries operating the RPG-7, the only available ammunition for it remains the obsolete PG-7V and PG-7VM.

RPG-7 against aviation

It is noteworthy that this grenade launcher was quite often used to combat aircraft. Several known cases of the use of RPG-7 against aircraft:

The first use cases occurred during the Vietnam War. In total, during the war years, the North Vietnamese from the RPG-7 (according to other sources, from the RPG of all types - and in addition to the RPG-7, the North Vietnamese actively used the RPG-2) shot down 128 helicopters.

During the war in Angola, the Cubans actively carried out operations behind enemy lines. On December 22, 1975, on the Kisoba plateau near Sela, a detachment of 12 Cuban special forces attacked a South African observation post. Cuban snipers with silenced weapons killed several South Africans. The enemy, who did not see the attackers, opened indiscriminate fire in all directions and called for help from helicopters. They swept at high speed over the Cubans who sat in the bushes, not finding them. A Cuban fighter fired an RPG-7 at an SA.330 Puma. The helicopter's tail boom was torn off, and it swirled in flames. The second helicopter, when he saw that the first one had been shot down, flew just in the direction where the Cubans were. They shot at him and he caught fire and fell into the lagoon. In this battle, the Yuar people lost 14 people killed and two helicopters, the special forces lost only one soldier.

On May 30, 1977, a Rhodesian C-47 Dakota military transport aircraft was shot down by an RPG-7 over Mozambique.

On July 28, 1978, a Rhodesian Alouette III helicopter was shot down by an RPG-7 over Chioko, Mozambique, killing the crew.

On April 7, 1979, Tanzanian troops shot down a Libyan C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft over Uganda with an RPG-7 shot.

On September 5, 1979, during the war in Southern Rhodesia, guerrillas shot down a Rhodesian UH-1 Iroquois helicopter with an RPG-7 shot. The next day, an RPG-7 shot down a South African SA.330 Puma helicopter, the missile exploded behind the pilot's seat and killed 14 Zimbabwe-Rhodesian commandos and South African pilots on board.

On June 23, 1980, during Operation Skeptic, a South African Alouette III helicopter was shot down by an RPG-7 over Angola.

On July 3, 1984, the Afghan Mujahideen hit a Soviet Mi-24 attack helicopter with a shot from an RPG-7, killing the crew commander. The helicopter crashed while trying to make an emergency landing.

In the summer of 1985, during the Afghan war, the Soviet military transport helicopter Mi-6, carrying large group Afghan Komsomol activists, was hit by an RPG-7 grenade. The right pilot and navigator died after jumping out with parachutes. The crew commander managed to land the burning car, but the people leaving it were ambushed and almost all were killed by the Mujahideen, the armored group that arrived at the crash site managed to save only a few people.

On April 1, 1988, Kurds from RPG-7 shot down a Turkish police helicopter UH-1 Iroquois, the pilot died.

During the battle for Mogadishu, two American UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by RPG-7 fire.

March 24, 2003, in Iraq, three American AH-64 "Apache" were hit by RPG-7, one of the helicopters was presumably decommissioned, another helicopter landed on the field.

On June 28, 2005, Afghan Mujahideen from RPG-7 shot down an American CH-47 Chinook helicopter, all 16 American soldiers were killed.

On August 6, 2011, the Taliban shot down an American Chinook helicopter from an RPG-7, killing 30 American and 8 Afghan soldiers.

On April 2, 2016, the defense army of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) shot down 2 Azerbaijani helicopters from an RPG-7: a modernized Mi-24G and a Mi-35. One of the helicopters was shot down on the territory of the NKR, the second fell on the territory of Azerbaijan.

In total, about 150 known cases of the destruction of aircraft and helicopters from RPG-7, because of which the grenade launcher can compete in performance with MANPADS.

The performance characteristics of the RPG-7

Caliber RPG-7

40 mm

RPG-7 weight

6.3 kg

RPG-7 dimensions

Length, mm: 950

RPG-7 firing range

Direct shot range: up to 330 meters (For PG-7V shot)
- Sighting range: up to 700 meters (For a shot OG-7V)

Armor penetration RPG-7

Up to 750 mm (For PG-7VR shot)

RPG-7 grenade speed

112 - 145 m/s

Grenade weight, kg: