Encyclopaedic reference on the rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) family. Public doctrinal information only: role, nomenclature, variants, calibres, distribution. No operational, firing, tactical handling, maintenance or modification instruction.
Role
Shoulder-launched rocket-propelled system of Soviet origin, intended for short-to-medium-range anti-armour engagement (50-500 m, up to 800 m on modern models). The RPG-7 and its derivatives are the most widely fielded anti-vehicle weapon in the world. Modern models (RPG-29, RPG-30, RPG-32) handle reactive armour (ERA) and active protection systems (APS).
General characteristics
- Smoothbore launch tube at 40 mm (RPG-7) — projectile is over-calibre
- Two-stage rocket: ejection charge (booster) and sustainer
- Traditional iron sight or PGO-7 (2.7×) standard optic
- Significant backblast behind the shooter — important rear danger zone
- RPG-7 launcher weight ~7 kg, projectile ~2.6 kg
- RPG-29: launcher ~12 kg, PG-29V tandem HEAT round ~6.7 kg
- Modern optics: 1PN51-2 night, thermal optics on recent variants
Main variants
| Variant | Calibre | Era | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| RPG-2 | 40 mm tubo / vari proietti | 1949 | Predecessore della RPG-7, capacità HEAT limitata. Largamente sostituita. |
| RPG-7 / RPG-7V | 40 mm tubo / 70-105 mm warhead | 1961 | Versione iconica. Ampia famiglia di proietti: PG-7V (HEAT), TBG-7V (termobarica), OG-7V (HE), PG-7VR (tandem). |
| RPG-7D | 40 mm tubo | 1963 | Versione paracadutisti / airborne, tubo scomponibile in due parti. |
| RPG-16 | 58.3 mm | 1970 | Variante airborne con maggiore precisione, mirino ottico fisso, range esteso. |
| RPG-18 / 22 / 26 | 64 / 72 / 72 mm | 1972-1985 | Lanciatori monouso "disposable", stile US LAW, fanteria leggera. |
| RPG-29 Vampir | 105 mm tandem HEAT | 1989 | Lanciatore riutilizzabile a doppia carica per superare ERA. Filettato per ottiche. |
| RPG-30 Kryuk | 105 mm + esca | 2008 | Lanciatore tandem con razzo esca per ingannare hard-kill APS (Trophy/Arena). |
| RPG-32 Hashim | 72.5 / 105 mm | 2010 | Lanciatore modulare russo-giordano, calibri intercambiabili. |
| PSRL-1 / -2 | 40 mm tubo | 2016 | Clone americano della RPG-7 (Airtronic USA), in dotazione a forze ucraine. |
Projectile types
PG-7V (base HEAT), PG-7VL (improved HEAT), PG-7VR (tandem, anti-ERA), TBG-7V (thermobaric, anti-personnel/anti-fortification), OG-7V (HE anti-personnel). The family doctrinally covers anti-armour, anti-fortification, anti-personnel and low-altitude anti-helicopter roles. Tandem munitions (PG-7VR, PG-29V) are designed to defeat ERA via a precursor charge.
Distribution in Ukraine
RPG-7 is ubiquitous on both sides. Ukrainian forces field RPG-7V, RPG-22/26 disposables, RPG-32 received through aid, and US PSRL-1/-2. Russian forces use RPG-7V, RPG-29, RPG-30 against APS-protected vehicles, and a wide range of single-use launchers. RPGs are the principal infantry anti-vehicle tool on both fronts, alongside NLAW and Javelin.
Advantages (doctrinal)
- Unit cost far below guided ATGMs
- Projectile family covers multiple target types
- Reusable launcher (RPG-7, RPG-29, RPG-32) — only rounds in logistics
- Global availability of PG-7V ammunition and clones
- Electronics-independent (baseline immune to EW)
Limits (doctrinal)
- Extensive rear backblast (~30 m) — limits use in confined spaces
- Accuracy degrades past 300-500 m, heavily wind-affected
- Anti-armour penetration limited against modern tanks with heavy ERA
- Visible launch signature (smoke, dust) — exposes the shooter
- Unguided — cannot effectively engage long-range moving targets
Manual limits
This entry is encyclopaedic. It does not describe firing procedure, projectile mounting, backblast safety, round selection in combat, handling, disassembly or maintenance. Those skills require certified military anti-armour training.