RPG-27

The RPG-27 is a Soviet single shot disposable grenade 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
TypeDisposable rocket launcher[1]
Place of originSoviet Union/Russia
Service history
In service1989
Used bySee Operators
WarsWar in Donbass[2]
Production history
DesignerState Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
Designed1980s
ManufacturerState Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
Produced1989[2]
VariantsRShG-1
RMG
Specifications
Mass7.6 kg
Length1155 mm
Caliber105 mm
Action750 mm: RHA
650 mm: RHA after ERA
1500 mm: Reinforced concrete
3700 mm: Earth
Muzzle velocity120 m/s
Effective firing range200 m
SightsIron sights

History

The RPG-27 Tavolga ('meadow grass') was developed by the State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt, as a modern anti-tank grenade launcher designed to defeat modern and future tanks with advanced reactive and composite armor as well as fortified infantry.[3] The RPG-27 was developed by the Soviet Union from the RPG-26.

Description

The RPG-27 shares a close resemblance with the previous 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 the RPG-27 to achieve higher armour penetration performance. The RPG-27 fin stabilised round is a 105 mm tandem-charge HEAT warhead with a range of 200 meters. The round has a stated penetration capability in excess of 650 mm of RHA (after ERA) and 1500 mm of brick or concrete and 3700 mm of earth.

Variants

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 meters and a larger sighting range of 600 meters. The warhead contains 1.9 kilograms (4.19 pounds) of thermobaric mixture, with an explosive yield roughly equal to that of 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) 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 for the bunker buster role and defeating 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 high-explosive anti-tank (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.

Operators
Map with RPG-27 operators in blue and former operators in red

Current operators

Former operators

References
  1. "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)
  2. "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.
  3. "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.
  4. "На вооружение ВС РФ принято несколько изделий ФГУП «ГНПП «Базальт»".
  5. "RMG - Modern Firearms". 28 October 2010.
  6. "RPG-27 Tavolga | Weaponsystems.net".
  7. "RMG multi-purpose rocket weapon". Retrieved 23 November 2014.
  8. "Маленькая и малобоеспособная | Еженедельник «Военно-промышленный курьер»". vpk-news.ru. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
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