Information AboutRpg-7 |
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| cold war anti-tank rockets of the soviet union | |
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The RPG-7 () is a widely-produced, portable, Shoulder-launched , Anti-tank Rocket Propelled Grenade weapon. Originally the RPG-7 (Reaktivniy (Rocket) Protivotankovey (Anti-Tank) Granatamyot (Grenade Launcher) and its predecessor the RPG-2 were designed by the Soviet Union . The weapon has the GRAU index '''6G3'''. The ruggedness, simplicity, low cost, and effectiveness of the RPG-7 have made it the most widely used RPG in the world. Currently around 40 countries use the weapon, and it is manufactured in a number of Variant s by nine countries. It is also popular with Irregular and Guerrilla Forces . The RPG has been used in almost all conflicts across all continents since the mid- 1960 s from the Vietnam War to the present day War In Afghanistan and Iraq War . The most commonly seen major variations are the RPG-7D Paratrooper model (able to be broken into two parts for easier carrying), and the lighter Chinese Type 69 RPG . The RPG-7 was first delivered to the Soviet Army in Bazooka and the German Panzerfaust . The current model produced by Russia is the RPG-7V2, capable of firing standard and dual High Explosive Anti-tank (HEAT) Rounds , High Explosive / Fragmentation , and Thermobaric Warhead s (see below), with a UP-7V Sighting Device fitted (used in tandem with the standard Optical Sight ) to allow the use of extended range ammunition. The '''RPG-7D3''' is the equivalent paratrooper model. Both the RPG-7V2 and RPG-7D3 were adopted by the Russian Ground Forces in 2001. DESCRIPTION , Iraq , including two RPG-7 launchers (warheads detached)]] > The launcher is based around a simple milled Steel tube, 40 mm in diameter, 95.3 cm long, and weighing just 7 kg. The middle is wood wrapped to protect the user from heat and the end is flared to assist in blast shielding and recoil reduction. Sighting is usually optical with an Iron Sight , but passive Infra-red and Night-sight s are available. As with similar weapons, the grenade protrudes from the launch tubes. It is larger than a hand grenade (70 - 85 mm in diameter) and weighs between 2.5 and 4.5 kg. It is propelled by a sets the maximum range, usually 920 m. Accurate firing is difficult over 300 m and with the RPG-7 the phrase "the closer the better" is always true. During the Soviet Invasion Of Afghanistan the Mujahideen tended to use the weapon at ranges of less than 80 m. TRADOC According to the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Bulletin 3u (1977) ''Soviet RPG-7 Antitank Grenade Launcher -- Capabilities and Countermeasures'', the RPG-7 munition has 2 sections: a "booster" section and a "warhead and sustainer motor" section. These must be assembled into the ready-to-use grenade. The booster consists of a "small strip powder charge" that serves to propel the grenade out of the launcher, the sustainer motor ignites and propels the grenade for the next few seconds, reaching a speed of 294 meters/s. The TRADOC bulletin provides anecdotal commentary that the RPG-7 has been fired from within buildings, which agrees with the two-stage design. It's stated that only a 2-meter standoff to a rear obstruction is needed for use inside rooms or fortifications. The fins not only provide drag stabilization, but are designed to impart a mild rotation to the grenade. Due to the configuration of the RPG-7 sustainer/warhead section, it responds counter-intuitively to crosswinds. A crosswind will tend to exert pressure on the stabilizing fins, causing the projectile to turn into the wind. While the rocket motor is still burning, this will cause the flight path to curve into the wind. The TRADOC bulletin explains aiming difficulties for more distant moving targets in crosswinds at some length, as the RPG-7 optical sight's reticle is somewhat challenging. AMMUNITION The RPG-7 can fire a variety of warheads for anti-armor ( HEAT , PG-) or anti-personnel ( HE , OG-) purposes, usually fitting with an impact (PIBD) and a 4.5 second fuse. Armor penetration is warhead dependent and ranges from 30 to 60 cm of RHA ; one warhead, the PG-7VR, is a 'tandem charge' device, used to defeat Reactive Armor with a single shot. Current production ammunition for the RPG-7V2 consists of four types:
SPECIFICATIONS Manufacturer specifications for the RPG-7V1. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/rpg-7-specs.htm
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