RPO-A Shmel

Although usually referred to in descriptive literature as a flame-thrower, the RPO-A Shmel (Bumblebee) is a rocket-propelled incendiary/blast projectile launcher. Development of this weapon began in 1984 and it was accepted for service in 1988, although series production did not commence for many years due to a lack of procurement funding. One projectile fired is described by the Russians as thermobaric as it appears to utilise advanced fuel-air explosive techniques which, on detonation, create deflagration as the warhead cloud expands. This produces a severe blast effect in addition to the high temperature effects. When utilised against structures the blast effect of the projectile is stated to be equivalent to a 122 mm howitzer HE projectile. The Shmel has been deployed operationally in Chechnya and Afghanistan, but those deployments did not involve full production examples due to a lack of funding to establish a production facility. Full production commenced in 2001, only after on-going combat experience in Chechnya emphasised the need for a weapon like the Shmel. Several versions of the RPO-A Shmel have been announced. The initial version was termed a capsule flame-thrower and relied upon its incendiary and blast capabilities for on-target effects. A later version combines the thermobaric warhead with a small hollow charge that penetrates light armour or structures to allow the main warhead to detonate inside a target, thereby considerably enhancing the projectile's destructive effects. The RPO-A Shmel is issued to airborne and marine assault troops to destroy strongpoints (for example bunkers) or lightly armoured vehicles. In Afghanistan the weapon was used to clear Mujahideen from caves. It is also claimed that the RPO-A could have peaceful applications as it can be used to destroy ice jams in rivers, break up potential snow avalanches or extinguish fires by the blast effect.

The RPO-A Shmel is a single-tube launcher normally issued in pairs joined together to be carried as a back-pack using the two slings. To operate the launcher, the two tubes are separated and a simple optical sight calibrated to 600 m is flipped up. Launching is from over the shoulder using a folding pistol grip and trigger assembly together with a forward grip under the muzzle. The launcher can be fired from within structures having a volume of over 60 m3. Once fired the launcher tube is discarded. The 93 mm projectile warhead contains 2.1 kg of thermobaric flammable mixture (RPO-A), 2.1 kg of an incendiary substance (RPO-Z) or 2.3 kg of an incendiary-smoke mixture (RPO-D). Initial velocity of the spring-out fin-stabilised rocket-propelled projectile is 125 m/s (±5 m/s). Length overall of the blunt-nosed projectile is estimated to be around 700 mm. The effect of the RPO-A projectile is such, that when detonated inside a structure, its lethal and destructive effects will cover an area of 80 m3, claimed to be similar to an equivalent 122 mm artillery HE projectile. When utilised against personnel in the open the lethal area will cover 50 m2. Maximum range is 1,000 m but the sights are calibrated to only 600 m. Point blank range against a target 3 m high is 200 m. Shelf life of the RPO-A Shmel is 10 years and it can be operated over a temperature range from -50 to +50ºC.

Variants

RPO-Z infantry jet flame thrower

The RPO-Z, also referred to as the RPO-3, differs from the base RPO-A in that it launches a rocket intended primarily to produce on-target incendiary effects. The warhead contains 20 incendiary pellets which are scattered on impact. All aspects of handling and deployment are identical to those for the RPO-A.

RPO-D infantry jet smoke projector

This is again identical to the base RPO-A other than that the projectile contains 2.3 kg of a smoke screen mixture intended to create smoke screens 55 to 90 m long to mask activity. All aspects of handling and deployment are identical to those for the RPO-A.

RPO-A

Calibre: 93 mm

Weight: single launcher, 11 kg; pack of two launchers, 22 kg

Weight of warhead: ca 6.5 kg

Weight of filling: 2.1 kg

Length: 920 mm

Max range: 1,000 m

Max effective range: 600 m

Min range: 25 m

Initial velocity: 125 ±5 m/s

Operational temperature range: -50 to +50ºC