RPG-7

The RPG-7 Knut (Knout) remains the standard man-portable short-range anti-tank weapon of the former Warsaw Pact countries and their allies. It has had wide operational use since it was introduced in 1962 and it remains an effective and efficient weapon. The RPG-7 is similar to the RPG-2 in having a tube calibre of 40 mm but the maximum diameter of the basic PG-7 grenade is 85 mm. The RPG-7 has a stadia line, subtension type, rangefinding optical sight for day use and can accommodate an image intensifier sight for night firing. It is percussion fired with a positively indexed round. The gases emerge from the convergent/divergent nozzle at high velocity and the weapon rests on the firer's shoulder. The latest production model is known as the RPG-7D6, earlier interim models being known as the RPG-7V and RPG-7V1. The grenade has large knife-like fins which spring out when the projectile emerges from the tube. At the rear end of the missile are small offset fins which give a slow rate of roll to improve stability. After travelling 10 m, the rocket motor fires. This gives a small velocity increase then sustains it out to 500 m. The point at which the rocket assistance cuts in is consistent and is a major factor in obtaining round-to-round matching of trajectory.

The PG-7 grenade fuze is a VP-7M Point-Initiating, Base-Detonating (PIBD) type using a piezoelectric head connected to the actual fuze in the base of the shaped charge. Early versions of this fuze were prone to malfunction if the fuze was short-circuited by external contact, so screening a target with wire mesh gave a high probability of shorting-out the piezoelectric unit and thus rendering the fuze and warhead inert. Later versions of the fuze corrected this defect. For firing, the user screws the cardboard cylinder containing the propellant to the missile. The grenade is then inserted into the launcher muzzle with the small projection mating with a notch in the muzzle to line up the ignition cap with the percussion hammer. The nosecap is then removed and the safety pin extracted. The cocked hammer is released when the trigger is fired and the missile is launched. In 1968, a version of the RPG-7V that could be broken down into two halves was observed. This was initially taken to be a new launcher and was tentatively named the RPG-8. It was later realised that the revised design was a variant of the RPG-7V and was named the RPG-7D1. Originally used by airborne troops, the RPG-7D1 was gradually generally distributed throughout Warsaw Pact forces. Length of the RPG-7D1 is 945 mm; weight is 7.4 kg with the optical sight. The latest production models have undergone some slight modifications to become the RPG-7D6. The Kovrov Mechanical Plant JSC offers a modernisation programme for existing RPG-7 launchers. Enhancements include modifications to the sight unit, the addition of a bipod and new ammunition-carrying satchels. These changes bring the modified launcher to RPG-7V1 standard, allowing it to be used to launch the very latest types of grenade, such as the PG-7VL, PG-7VR and TBG-7V. The PGO-7 and PGO-7V optical sights are marked with ranges from 200 to 500 m at intervals of 100 m. They have a 13º field of view with a ×2.5 magnification and a rangefinding stadia-type sight. The NSPU or NSP-2 infra-red night sights can also be used. Extra rounds are usually carried in a shoulder-slung bag weighing 9.3 kg (full) or on a special backpack. Anti-personnel rounds intended to extend the tactical utility of the RPG-7 series are produced in Bulgaria. See entry in Light Support Weapons section for details. Details of the grenades fired by the RPG-7 series are as follows (as with the RPG-7 anti-personnel rounds, many of these anti-armour grenades are also manufactured in Bulgaria): PG-7 and PG-7M The PG-7 grenade, the original grenade used with the RPG-7, has a warhead cone diameter of 73 mm and a fluted nosecone cover. A more recent warhead, designated PG-7M, has a cone diameter of 70 mm, but, through better design of the fuzing and firing arrangements, it has a better anti-armour performance. The updated warhead has a slightly longer nosecone so appears to be slimmer. The muzzle velocity of the PG-7M round is 140 m/s, length 950 mm and weight 1.98 kg. The fuze is the PIBD VP-7M. The complete round with the PG-7 grenade is the PG-7V. That for the PG-7M is the PG-7VM (produced in Poland as the PG-7WM). PG-7N Basically an updated PG-7M with a revised warhead containing 340 g of OKFOL-3.5 initiated by a VP-22 piezoelectric fuze. Also revised is the 4RN42 propelling charge which provides an initial velocity of 140 m/s and a maximum range of 500 m. Length overall is 965 mm. Armour penetration is 400 mm. The complete round is the PG-7VN. PG-7L The PG-7L grenade has a 93 mm diameter shaped charge warhead capable of penetrating 600 mm of armour. The grenade weighs 2.6 kg and is effective up to 300 m; muzzle velocity is 112 m/s. It can also penetrate up to 1.3 m of reinforced concrete, 1.7 m of brick and over 2.5 m thicknesses of logs and earth. The complete round is the PG-7VL. PG-7LT The PG-7LT is produced in Bulgaria and is another tandem warhead grenade, with a weight of 2.9 kg and a length of 1.13 m; the main warhead diameter is 93 mm. Maximum effective range is 300 m at a muzzle velocity of 100 m/s. It is provided with a VP-22 impact fuze. It is claimed that this grenade will penetrate 550 mm of armour once ERA has been cleared, or 700 mm of armour with a behind-armour effect. It can also penetrate 1.4 m of reinforced concrete or brick, or 2 m of logs and earth. The complete round is the PG-7VLT. PG-7VM This is a Romanian HEAT round with a 70 mm diameter warhead, produced by ROMARM. A complete round is 959 mm long, with the grenade being 671 mm. Maximum firing range is 500 m with a maximum velocity of 350 m/s. The warhead can penetrate 300 mm of armoured plates at 330 m. PG-7VR The PG-7VR round is fitted with a tandem warhead to attack explosive reactive armour, having an extension boom ahead of the main warhead carrying a small shaped charge to ignite explosive reactive armour before the main 105 mm diameter shaped charge operates to penetrate the main armour. The complete PG-7VR round weighs 4.5 kg and has a maximum effective range of 200 m. It is claimed that the PG-7VR grenade can defeat the passive and active armour of all current MBTs, being capable of penetrating more than 750 mm of armoured steel after defeating explosive reactive armour. It can also penetrate over 1.5 m of reinforced concrete, 2 m of bricks, and up to 3.7 m thicknesses of logs and earth. This warhead was deployed during the 1995 fighting in Chechnya. PG-7LT The PG-7LT is another tandem warhead grenade to defeat explosive reactive armour. The complete round, the PG-7VLT, weighs 2.9 kg and is 1.13 m long. Maximum warhead diameter is 93 mm. Muzzle velocity is 100 m/s and direct fire range is 200 m. The PG-7LT grenade can penetrate 700 mm of RHA, with behind armour effects, or 550 mm of RHA after one layer of explosive reactive armour. It can also penetrate 1.4 m of reinforced concrete or brick and 2 m of logs and earth. PGI A 70 mm warhead diameter rocket with an incendiary warhead produced by ROMARM of Romania. Maximum firing range is 500 m. PG-I This is a Romanian incendiary round with a 70 mm diameter warhead, produced by ROMARM. A complete round is 959 mm long, with the grenade being 671 mm. Maximum firing range is 500 m with a maximum velocity of 350 m/s. In addition to the above grenades, the RPG-7 series can also utilise Chinese NORINCO 40 mm grenades intended for the Type 69-1 launcher. For other RPG-7 launcher and ammunition suppliers refer to the list of similar model manufacturers following, although it should be borne in mind that RPG-7s and their associated rocket grenades were produced in virtually every former Warsaw Pact country at one time or another.

apologies for the messy ass description

RPG-7

Calibre: launcher, 40 mm

Length: launcher, 950 mm

Weight: launcher with PGO-7 sight, 6.3 kg

Muzzle velocity: 120 m/s

Max flight velocity: 300 m/s

Range: max effective, moving targets, 330 m; stationary targets, 500 m