Appointment

The RPG-7 hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher is designed to combat enemy tanks, self-propelled artillery mounts and other armored vehicles. In addition, it can be used to destroy enemy personnel located in light shelters, as well as in urban structures.

The grenade launcher is fired by PG-7V and PG-7VM shots with a cumulative over-caliber anti-tank grenade. The grenade has armor penetration, which makes it possible to effectively combat all types of modern enemy tanks and self-propelled guns.

The PG-7VM shot is a modernization of the standard PG-7V shot, it is somewhat lighter and surpasses it in terms of armor penetration, accuracy of combat and wind resistance.

Symbols

Grenade caliber

Armor penetration

Range

Shot weight kg.

Sighting

Straight shot
RPG-7V with PG-7VM round
RPG-7V with PG-7VL round
RPG-7V with PG-7VR round

"SUMMARY"
"VAMPIRE"

(experiment.)

Combat properties

Caliber grenade launcher


Caliber grenades (on the head)




RPG-7 grenade launcher length


Grenade length without powder charge:




Length of a grenade with a powder charge (shot):




Initial speed of the grenade:




Maximum grenade speed


Combat rate of fire


Sighting range


The range of a direct shot at a target with a height of 2 m:


when firing a PG-7V shot


when firing a PG-7VM round


Weight RPG-7 grenade launcher with telescopic sight


Weight of a grenade with a powder charge (shot):




Three Shot Bag Weight




Magnification of the telescopic sight

line of sight

Exit pupil diameter


Removal of the exit pupil


Resolution

Sight scale divisions


Lateral correction scale divisions


Sight Scale Limit


Lateral correction scale limit


The limits of the alignment of the optical sight in height and direction


Sight weight

Device RPG-7V grenade launcher, PG-7V grenades

The grenade launcher consists of the following main parts and mechanisms:

- a barrel with a mechanical sight;

- firing mechanism with a safety lock;

- striker mechanism;

- optical sight.

The grenade launcher kit includes:

Spare parts:

2- striker; 2- striker springs; 2-support bushings; 1-nipple (in the pocket of the bag for two grenades)

Tool ; 1 screwdriver key; 2 drift; 3 tool for assembling and disassembling the trigger (in the pocket of the bag for two grenades)

1.Key screwdriver; 2. Drift; 3.Adaptation trigger; 4. groove for punching; 5. screwdriver slot.

Affiliation: I. cleaning and lubricating rod for the grenade launcher (in the bag for two grenades)

2. a stem with a washer for removing the remains of a powder charge cartridge from the bore. (In a bag for two grenades).

3.strap with covers (the belt must be adjusted so that the cover from the muzzle is removed only after removing the cover from the breech of the grenade launcher)

4.shoulder strap

5. Bag for storing and carrying three grenades with powder charges.

6. Bag for storing and carrying two grenades with powder charges.

In addition, for every 9 grenade launchers, a group set of spare parts is attached, including a device for checking sighting devices, a device for assembling and disassembling the trigger and spare parts for the grenade launcher.
Sighting device testing device

Grenade bags:

a - a bag for three grenades:

b - a bag for two grenades;

I - grenade slot.

2 - nests for a pencil case with a powder charge;

З - socket for a cleaning rod;

4- pocket for spare parts and tools

Barrel of a grenade launcher serves to direct the flight of a grenade and remove powder gases when fired. The bore is smooth, open on both sides, caliber 40 mm. The barrel of a grenade launcher consists of a pipe and a pipe, which are connected to each other by means of a thread. To prevent self-unscrewing, the branch pipe is welded to the pipe. The breech pipe has a broadening that forms a charging chamber. The branch pipe has a nozzle in the front part. In the rear part there is a socket, ending with a dish, which protects the breech of the barrel from clogging with earth, sand and other objects if the grenade launcher accidentally sticks into the ground.

Consists: from the pipe and branch pipe.

a). The pipe in the breech has a broadening that forms a charging chamber.

b). Branch pipe - in the front part there is a nozzle, in the rear part there is a socket ending with a plate.

a - pipe; b-branch pipe

1-broadening; 2-cut for the grenade retainer; 3-front sight base; 4- the base of the aiming bar; 5 ears; 6-base of striker mechanism; 7-protrusion for the barrel handle; 8 - a bar for mounting an optical sight; 9 swivel; 10 clamps; I1 - wooden lining; 12 - bell; 13-plate; 14 - cheeks of the barrel grip.

The trunk contains:

on the muzzle:- cutout for the grenade retainer; on top - bases (protrusions) for attaching the front sight and aiming bar; bottom - ears for attaching the firing mechanism, the base of the firing mechanism with a socket for the firing mechanism and a protrusion for attaching the firing mechanism, a thin-walled protrusion for attaching the barrel handle, which makes it easier to hold the grenade launcher when firing; on the left - a bar with projections for attaching an optical sight; on the right - two swivels for attaching a strap with covers and a shoulder strap.

On the barrel of the grenade launcher, wooden plates are fixed with clamps, which protect the grenade launcher from burns when firing. The clamps are tightened with screws.

Trigger mechanism serves to release the trigger from the combat platoon, strike the striker and to set the grenade launcher to the safety catch. It consists of a body, course, fuse, trigger, sear, and a rod with a mainspring.

Frame has a cover, a safety clip, a window for a trigger, a sear slot, a socket for a mainspring with a groove for a punch, a socket for a fuse stopper and its spring, a cutout for the trigger and a cutout for connecting the body of the firing mechanism with the barrel. In addition, the case contains: a hole for a pin, a hole for a trigger axis, a threaded hole for a course axis, a safety hole, four blind threaded holes for cover screws and a threaded hole for a sear screw. The body ends in a plate, which, with two plastic (wooden) cheeks attached to it on both sides, form a handle.

Trigger serves to strike the striker. It has a knitting needle for setting the trigger on a combat platoon, two protrusions - combat and safety, intended for engagement with the sear, and a hole for the trigger axis.

Fuse serves to lock the trigger, which excludes the possibility of an accidental shot. It has a collar and two seats, which, depending on the position of the safety catch, includes a spring-loaded stopper. To put the grenade launcher on the fuse, you must press the fuse on the right side and drown it.

Trigger serves to release the trigger from a combat platoon. The trigger has an upper tooth for disengaging the sear from engagement with the trigger lug, a hole for the axle, a tail for pressing with a finger when firing a shot and a lower tooth for resting on the fuse collar when setting the grenade launcher to the fuse.

Whispered serves to hold the trigger on a combat platoon. The sear is a leaf spring, at the front end of which there is a tooth that serves to engage with the combat (safety) protrusion of the trigger. In the tail of the sear there is a hole for attaching the sear with a screw to the firing mechanism body.

Mainspring rod serves to impart a rotational movement to the trigger, which is necessary to strike the striker. The rod has a head with guide shoulders and two protrusions (small and large) and a punch hole.

Trigger mechanism:

1 - case; 2 - trigger; 3 - fuse; 4 - trigger; 5 - sear: 6 - rod; 7 - mainspring.

Firing mechanism serves to break the primer-igniter of the grenade. It fits in the socket of the striker base and consists of striker, striker spring, support sleeve and nipple.

Optical sight PGO-7V2

Sights are used to guide the grenade launcher when firing at targets at various distances. Sights consist of a PGO-7 optical sight and a mechanical sight. The optical sights of recent years are manufactured with corrected aiming angles, and are produced with the abbreviated name PGO-7V.

Optical and mechanical sights provide aiming of the grenade launcher at the target both when firing with PG-7V and PG-7VM shots.

Optical sight is the main sight of the grenade launcher. It consists of a body with a bracket, an optical system, a sight alignment mechanism, a reticle illumination device when shooting at night, an eyecup and a forehead.

Magnification - 2.7

Field of view - 13 ° (2-17)

Weight - 0.5 kg.

The weight of the sight with a set of spare parts and a cover - 0.95 kg

The scale division of the sight is 100 m.

Lateral correction scale division - 0-10

The optical sight consists of:


housing with bracket: 1-building; 2-bracket;

optical system: 7-lens; 8-lens caps; 9-eyepiece with eyecup;

sight alignment mechanism: 1 0-alignment screw in lateral direction; 11-height adjustment screw; 12-handwheels for entering temperature corrections;

net lighting device when shooting at night: 13-case of the grid lighting device; 14-cap body; 15-light bulb; 16-toggle switch;

forehead — 17.

Frame serves to connect all parts of the sight. It has a bracket for attaching the sight to a grenade launcher. The bracket has a clamping screw, a handle with a stopper for turning the clamping screw and a latch for attaching the handle to the clamping screw.

Optical system consists of a lens for obtaining an image of an object, a prism for full image wrapping, a reticle for aiming, an eyepiece for viewing the image of the observed object, protective lens glasses, a reticle to protect the sight from moisture and dust.


The optical system consists of:

1.protective glass; 2.lens; 3.prisms (for full image wrapping); 4. reticle (for aiming); 5. eyepiece;
The optical system includes a reticle.

The PGO-7V2 sight reticle shows:

  • sight scales:
  • lateral correction scales:
  • rangefinder scale

To protect against dirt and damage to the protective glass of the lens, a cap is put on the projection of the lens, which is attached to the body of the sight with a strap. A rubber eyecup is attached to the eyepiece frame with a clamp. The sighting reticle has an aiming scale (horizontal lines) and a rangefinder scale (solid horizontal and curved dotted lines). Sight scale divisions are indicated in hundreds of meters, lateral correction scales - in ten thousandths (0-10). On the lateral correction scale, you can enter lateral corrections to the right and to the left up to 0 - 50.

Sight scale line, the corresponding range of 300m, and the center line of the lateral correction scale are doubled to facilitate the selection of the necessary divisions when aiming. In addition, the center line is extended below the sight scale to detect the lateral tilt of the grenade launcher.

Sight scale divisions 2,3,4,5 corresponds to firing ranges in hundreds of meters –200,300,400, 500 m The division of the lateral correction scale (the distance between two vertical lines) corresponds to ten thousandths of 0-10.

On the reticle of the PGO-7V3 sight in the lower part, there is a scale for firing a PG-7VR grenade

The rangefinder scale on the PGO-7V3 sight is designed for a target height of 2.4 m.

A "+" sign is applied above the sight scale, which serves to check the sight

The rangefinder scale is designed for the target height. This target height is indicated at the bottom of the horizontal line. Above the upper dashed line there is a scale with divisions, the distance between which corresponds to a change in the distance to the target by 100m. Above the scale of the sight there is a sign (+), which serves to align the sight.


Sight alignment mechanism serves to ensure the parallelism of the zero line of sight of the zero line of sight and the axis of the bore of the grenade launcher and the introduction of a correction for the temperature. It consists of a carriage, into which a lens in a frame is screwed, a alignment screw in the lateral direction, closed by a screw cap, a alignment screw in height and a handwheel for entering the temperature correction. On the side of the handwheel there are signs (+) and (-), which are installed against the risks on the body of the sight, depending on the air temperature.

Mesh lighting device serves to illuminate the reticle when shooting at dusk and at night. It consists of a body with a contact and a screw, a battery that is a source of current, a cap with a stop and a spring for pressing the battery against the screw, wires connecting the screw with a light bulb through a toggle switch, and a toggle switch for turning the light bulb on and off. To illuminate the net at temperatures from +2 0 С and below, it is necessary to use a winter lighting device for the net, consisting of a body with a contact and a clamp, a cap with a contact, a sleeve, a spring and a gasket, and a shielded wire. The battery is installed in the case so that the central electrode is connected to the contact screw, and the side electrode (displaced to the side) is connected to the cut on the contact of the case.

Winter mesh lighting device:

1- building:

2- cap:

3-shielded wire;

5-pin;

Forehead serves for the device when firing. It is mounted on an optical sight.

Case serves to carry the optical sight and spare parts to it, as well as to protect the sight from rain when positioned on a grenade launcher.


Optical Sight Carrying Case:

1-case; 2-string: 3- pocket for napkin: 4-napkin: 5 - pocket for winter net lighting device: b-winter net lighting device; 7-key screwdriver; 8-bulbs; 9-light filters; 10 batteries.

Mechanical sight used in case of damage (failure) of the optical sight. It consists of an aiming strip with a collar, main and additional flies, placed in casings. Early production grenade launchers have only one front sight - the main one.


It consists of an aiming strip with a collar, main and additional flies, placed in casings.

1-sighting bar; 2- collar; 3- main front sight: 4-additional front sight; 5-aiming bar cover; 6-window sighting strip; 7-latch; 8-slot; 9-collar window: 10-front sight casing; 11-spring of the main front sight; 12-front sight fuse; 13- axis of the additional front sight; 14-spring additional front sight

The aiming bar is axially connected to the casing and is held by a spring in two positions: vertical and horizontal. The aiming bar has a window and a scale with divisions. The scale numbers indicate the firing range in hundreds of meters.

The clamp is put on the aiming bar and held in position by a latch. The latch has a tooth, with which, under the action of a spring, it jumps into the cutout of the aiming bar. The collar has a slot for aiming and a window, the lower cut of which serves as an indicator of the installation of the sight.

The main front sight is used for shooting at subzero air temperatures. It is axially connected to the casing and is held by a spring in two positions: vertical and horizontal. The top of the front sight is protected by a fuse.

An additional front sight is used (installed in a vertical position) for shooting at a positive air temperature. It rotates on an axis and is fixed by a spring in a horizontal and vertical position. In an upright position, the secondary front sight should be higher than the main front sight.

PG-7V grenade device

The PG-7V round consists of an anti-tank grenade and a powder charge.

An anti-tank grenade consists of a warhead, a fuse, a jet engine and a stabilizer (located in a powder charge). The PG-7 VM round is similar in structure, operation, handling, capping, coloring and marking to the PG-7V shot.

Features of the G-7VM shot device:

- another compound pressed into the fuse bushing;

- the bottom part is pressed with a ring with a gasket;

- the powder charge is not interchangeable with the powder charge of the PG-7V shot.

The head part of the grenade consists of a body, a fairing, a conductive cone, an insulating sleeve, an insulating ring, a charge sleeve, a funnel, a conductor and a bursting charge. The head part of the fuse is screwed into the bushing of the fairing, the bottom part of the fuse is inserted into the bottom point.

The fuse (piezoelectric) serves to ensure the rupture of a grenade when it meets a target (obstacle). It consists of a head and a bottom.

The fuse head has a piezoelectric element that generates an electric current when a grenade hits an obstacle. To protect the piezoelectric element from accidental impact during service handling, a safety cap with a check is put on the body of the fuse head.

The bottom of the fuse has an electric detonator, which, when an electric current is applied to it from the piezoelectric element, explodes and causes a rupture of the head of the grenade. The electrical connection of both parts of the fuse is carried out through the external and internal circuits, which are formed by the metal parts of the grenade. External circuit: fairing - body; internal circuit: conductive cone - funnel - conductor.

The fuse is safe in service use, because the engine on which the electric detonator is located is shifted to the side and the electric detonator is disconnected from the electrical circuit. A self-destructor is placed in the bottom of the fuse, designed to explode a grenade if the electrical part of the fuse fails or if the grenade does not meet an obstacle within 4 - 6 seconds after leaving the bore of the grenade launcher.

The jet engine of the grenade is used to increase the speed of the grenade. It consists of a pipe, a nozzle block, a retainer with a washer, a stop, a diaphragm and a bottom. A powder charge, an igniter and a pyro retarder are placed in the tube, which serves to ignite the powder charge of a jet engine.

The nozzle block has six nozzle openings closed by dock seals, through which, after firing, propellant gases from the jet engine flow out.

When loading, the lock enters the cutout on the rudder of the grenade launcher barrel and provides the location of the primer - the grenade igniter against the striker.

The washer, due to its springy properties, holds the grenade in the grenade launcher, which allows firing at angles of depression.

The bottom has radial and axial channels filled with black powder. In the radial channel, there is a primer - an igniter, and in the axial channel - a cap that protects the powder from moisture and precipitation. The bottom, in addition, has a projection with a thread for screwing on the powder charge. To protect the primer-igniter from accidental pricking and thread of the protrusion from damage during transportation, a fuse with a gasket is screwed onto the bottom.

The powder charge is intended to impart an initial velocity to the grenade. It is structurally combined with a stabilizer and consists of a tape nitroglycerin powder and is placed in a cartridge paper sleeve. A foam wad is installed at the back of the stabilizer. The powder charge is placed in a paper box to protect it from moisture and mechanical damage during storage and transportation.

The stabilizer ensures a steady flight of the grenade. It is located inside the powder charge and consists of a cross, four feathers (freely rotating on the axles), a base and an impeller. The base serves as an obturator, preventing the breakthrough of powder gases to the jet engine. The crosspiece has a thread for screwing the powder charge onto the projection of the jet engine. The impeller serves to give the grenade rotation. A tracer is placed in the impeller socket.

The shot consists of:

1.Anti-tank grenade:

2.powder charge.

The anti-tank grenade consists of:

Head-1; - fuse

a) the head of the fuse -2

b) the bottom of the fuse -3

Jet engine –4;

The stabilizer (in the powder charge) –5.

Shot PG-7VM

a - head part; b - jet engine;в - powder charge.


 1-case: 2-fairing; 3-conductive cone; 4-insulating ring; 5-funnel; 6-conductor; 7-bursting charge; 8-head part of the fuse: 9-bottom part of the fuse: 10-pipe; 11-nozzle block; 12-retainer; 13- washer; 14- pyro retarder; I5-bottom; 16-nozzle bore; 17-sealant; 18-radial channel: 19-axis channel; 20-primer igniter; 21-threaded projections: 22-flax-precision nitrogly-cerin powder; 23-foam wad; 24- paper sleeve: 25- stabilizer crosspiece; 26-nepo stabilizer; 27- base; 28-impeller; 29 - tracer; 30-powder charge of a jet engine; 31-axis of the stabilizer feather; 32-insulating sleeve; 33- charge bushing

Disassembly and assembly

Disassembly of the grenade launcher can be incomplete and complete: incomplete - for cleaning, lubricating and inspecting the grenade launcher; full - for cleaning when the grenade launcher is heavily soiled, after being in the rain or in the snow, when switching to a new lubricant, for disassembled inspection and during repair. Excessively frequent disassembly of the grenade launcher is harmful, as it accelerates the wear of parts and mechanisms.

Disassemble and assemble the grenade launcher on a table or clean bedding; put parts and mechanisms in the order of disassembly and handle them with care. When detaching or attaching parts of the grenade launcher, do not use unnecessary efforts and sharp blows.

When disassembling and assembling the grenade launcher, use the tool included in the spare parts kit.

The order of incomplete disassembly of the grenade launcher:

1. Remove the covers from the breech and muzzle of the grenade launcher.

2. To separate the firing mechanism: put the grenade launcher on the table with the bar for the telescopic sight bracket down; press with a key - a screwdriver or a device for assembling and disassembling the trigger mechanism on the split part of the check and drown it, then push (knock out) the check with a punch, holding the handle, separate the trigger mechanism with the breech and the handle from the barrel.

Ejection of the firing mechanism check.

3. To separate the striker mechanism: turn the grenade launcher with the striking mechanism up (or put it in a vertical position); hold the barrel with your left hand, and with your right hand, using a wrench - screwdriver, unscrew the nipple and remove the striker, striker spring and support sleeve from the base of the striker mechanism.

Unscrewing the striker nipple.

4. Separate the cover of the firing mechanism housing: take the firing mechanism in your left hand, unscrew the four screws with the right hand using a screwdriver wrench and remove the cover of the firing mechanism housing.

The order of assembling a grenade launcher after incomplete disassembly

  1. Attach the trigger housing cover: replace the housing cover and screw in the four screws.
  2. Attach the striker mechanism: put the spring on the striker, insert the support sleeve and the striker with the spring into the base of the striking mechanism and screw the nipple with a screwdriver key until it stops into the support sleeve.
  3. Attach the firing mechanism: insert the protrusion of the base of the firing mechanism into the cutout on the body of the firing mechanism, press the firing mechanism against the barrel and insert (hammer) the pin into the hole on the left side.
  4. Check the correct assembly of the grenade launcher: put the trigger on the combat platoon (a click should be heard): when you pull the trigger, you must vigorously hit the striker.

5. Put on the covers first on the muzzle and then on the breech of the grenade launcher.

The work of the parts and mechanisms of the grenade launcher

When fired from a grenade launcher, a powder charge ignites from a striker hitting a grenade primer-igniter. The gases that form from the combustion of the powder charge give the grenade a rotational motion and throw it out of the bore at a speed of 120-140 m / s.

After the grenade leaves the bore, the stabilizer feathers open, the fuse is cocked at a distance that ensures the safety of the firing one and ignites the powder charge of the jet engine. When the propellant charge of a jet engine burns, due to the outflow of propellant gases through the nozzle holes, a reactive force is generated and the flight speed of the grenade increases, reaching at the end of complete combustion of the charge 300 m / s.

When a grenade meets an obstacle, the piezoelectric element of the fuse is compressed, as a result of which an electric current is generated, under the action of which the electric detonator of the fuse explodes, and then the explosive charge of the grenade. When a grenade explodes, a cumulative jet is formed, which penetrates armor, affects manpower, and destroys weapons and equipment.

When fired, the grenade launcher has no recoil. This is ensured by the outflow of powder gases back through the nozzle and the bell of the barrel branch pipe. The generated forward reactive force balances the recoil force,

The work of parts and mechanisms of the shot to the grenade launcher

After hitting the striker on the primer - the grenade igniter, the latter is triggered and ignites first the powder, which is in the radial and axial channels of the jet engine, and then the powder charge. The gases formed during the combustion of the powder charge break the cardboard sleeve, push the foam wad through the nozzle of the barrel, ignite the tracer and eject the grenade from the bore of the grenade launcher. In addition, the propellant gases passing through the turbine give the grenade stability during flight.

When fired in the pyro retarder, the primer is pricked onto the sting and the retardant composition begins to burn. At the end of the combustion of the retardant composition, the propellant charge of the jet engine ignites. The gases formed during the combustion of the propellant charge of the jet engine push the dock seals and the outflow of propellant gases through the nozzle holes begins. As a result of this, a reactive force arises, increasing the speed of the grenade.

When fired, the fuse starts and ends at a distance of 2.5 - 18 m from the muzzle of the barrel, in which the engine moves to the firing position and the electric detonator is switched on in the electrical circuit: the head of the fuse with a piezoelectric element - the internal circuit of the grenade - the bottom of the fuse with an electric detonator - the outer chain of the grenade - the head of the fuse.

When meeting a target (obstacle), the piezoelectric element is compressed and an electric current is generated, under the influence of which the electric detonator explodes, causing the head of the grenade to rupture.

When fired, the pyrotechnic composition of the self-liquidator ignites. After 4 - 6 seconds, if the grenade does not meet an obstacle or the electrical part of the fuse fails, the pyrotechnic composition burns out and the primer is triggered - the detonator of the self-destructor, causing the grenade to burst.

Shooting delays and how to fix them

The grenade launcher, with proper care and conservation, and careful handling, is a reliable and trouble-free weapon. However, as a result of careless handling of the grenade launcher, contamination and wear of parts, as well as if the grenade is malfunctioning, there may be delays in firing.

If there is a delay in firing, re-cock the hammer and continue firing. If the delay repeats, reload the grenade launcher and continue firing. If recharging does not clear the delay, find out and correct the cause of the delay as described below.

Delay Reasons for the delay Remedies
1. Misfire

(no shot)

 1. A shot into the bore of the grenade launcher is not fully sent.

2. Malfunction of the grenade primer-igniter.

3. Worn or broken striker.

4. Non-energetic impact of the striker on the primer-igniter due to contamination or solidification of the lubricant of the trigger and striker mechanisms

 Send a shot all the way to the stop at the bottom of the cutout on the muzzle of the grenade launcher.

Replace the grenade.

Clean the trigger and striker mechanism.
2. The shot is not included in the barrel of the grenade launcher The barrel is dirty (the remains of a cardboard sleeve, powder carbon deposits) Clear the barrel

Shooting manual - RPG-7V

RPG-7V grenade launcher. PG-7V grenades

The RPG-7 is a truly unique and legendary weapon, not inferior in popularity to the renowned AK-47. RPG-7 is an anti-tank grenade launcher, an effective means of fighting against tanks and other armored vehicles. It allows the infantryman not to feel defenseless in the face of an armored mechanical monster.

The RPG-7 was adopted by the Soviet Army back in 1961, and despite such a solid age, it still remains in service. This grenade launcher has participated in countless conflicts and wars on all continents. And the emergence of new, more advanced ammunition makes the RPG-7 dangerous even for modern tanks and armored vehicles.

RPG-7 is the favorite weapon of partisans and revolutionaries. It was used by Viet Cong fighters in the Vietnamese jungle and Afghan mujahideen against Soviet troops. A photo of a rebel or partisan with an RPG pipe on his shoulder is almost as natural as holding a Kalashnikov assault rifle. In its simplicity, cheapness and efficiency, this weapon is in no way inferior to the Kalashnikov assault rifle.

How many copies of the RPG-7 are currently fighting in various countries of the world - no one knows. Experts believe that only "legal" (that is, issued by the manufacturer or under its license) copies were produced over a million units. How many grenade launchers were produced without a license or were stolen from military warehouses after the collapse of the USSR - no one can say.

Experts call the predecessor of this weapon the German grenade launcher (or rather grenade launchers, because there were several of them) Panzerfaust, created by the Germans in the second half of World War II and causing a lot of trouble for tankers. The anti-tank agent turned out to be very cheap and effective. At the same time, it was so simple that even a teenager could knock out a tank. Some experts point to some similarities between RPGs and American bazookas, with which the US army armed anti-tank crews in Europe.

In the middle of the last century, in service with the Soviet Army, anti-tank grenades, rifle grenade launchers, RPG-2 hand grenade launcher and recoilless guns were used to combat tanks. Several enterprises were engaged in the development of grenade launchers at once, but for all of them this weapon was not the main focus, and therefore the products were not of the highest quality.

In 1958, the Moscow GSKB-47 (in the future - the famous "Basalt") was appointed the main enterprise for the production of anti-tank grenade launchers. The RPG-7 hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher was developed under the leadership of Vladimir Vasilyevich Degtyarev, the son of the famous Soviet gunsmith.

From 1948 to that time, the RPG-2 grenade launcher was in service with the Red Army, the technical characteristics of which no longer suited the military. In particular, the RPG-2's firing range was only 50-80 meters. The RPG-4 grenade launcher was created with a higher flight speed of the grenade, but the firing range from this did not significantly increase. This grenade launcher went with the series, it was also produced under license in China and Vietnam. At that time, the Bumblebee ATGM had already entered service with the Soviet Army, capable of hitting a tank at a distance of six hundred to two thousand meters, but there was nothing to hit enemy armored vehicles at a distance of closer than six hundred meters.

The designers were given the task of "teaching" the hand grenade launcher to hit enemy tanks in close combat, and they coped with this task. A new PG-7V grenade was developed, on which a jet engine was installed, which made it possible to significantly increase the firing range. The new grenade launcher was named RPG-7.

The RPG-7 was specially designed for use against tanks, self-propelled artillery installations and other types of enemy armored vehicles, as well as against manpower, both in open areas and in shelters. With the advent of the RPG-7 and the PG-7V grenade, the infantry received a simple and effective weapon for various purposes.

The design of the RPG-7 turned out to be so simple and successful that, despite the appearance of more advanced versions of the same grenade launcher, the RPG-7 is still fighting in different parts of the planet.

The device of the RPG-7 grenade launcher is extremely simple. It consists of a barrel (essentially a pipe) with an optical and mechanical sight mounted on it, a firing mechanism and a striker. We can say that this is a smooth-bore recoilless type weapon. According to the instructions, you need to shoot from the RPG-7 from the shoulder, so an insulating casing is installed in the middle of the grenade launcher. On the back of the grenade launcher there is a nozzle for more efficient removal of powder gases when fired.

RGP-7 has two handles: the front one is combined with the trigger mechanism, and the rear one is made for more comfortable holding of the weapon. When fired, the firing pin strikes the capsule, which, in turn, ignites a small powder charge, which pushes the grenade out of the barrel and gives it a rotational motion.

After the grenade launcher leaves the tube, the grenade stabilizers open and the charge of its main jet engine ignites. It should be noted that the jet engine comes into operation at a safe distance from the grenade launcher. After flying out of the barrel, the grenade fuse is cocked.

The jet engine of the grenade accelerates it at the initial stage of the trajectory to a speed of 300 m / s, after it burns out, the grenade flies by inertia. If it does not meet any obstacle on its way, then after a distance of 1000 meters, the self-liquidator is triggered, and the grenade explodes.

Since the grenade launcher is created according to a recoilless scheme, it practically has no recoil. Powder gases go back through the nozzle of the weapon, and this balances the recoil force when fired.

At first, the RPG-7 grenade launcher had a PGO-7 optical sight with a range scale, as well as marks for making lateral corrections. However, in the mid-60s, the grenade launcher was equipped with a more advanced PGO-7V sight. Models equipped with these sights were designated RPG-7V.

Specifications RPG-7

The grenade launcher has several modifications, is produced in several countries of the world, but its main technical characteristics are unchanged:

Video about RPG-7

Any weapon, no matter how perfect it may be, is just a means of using ammunition. This is also true of the RPG-7. The success of this weapon is associated with the creation of the PG-7V grenade, which made it possible to significantly increase the firing range. The device of the grenade should be discussed in detail.

A grenade (or shot) consists of a case with an explosive and a cumulative funnel, as well as a pipe in which the grenade's jet engine and powder charges for them are located. The tube contains a primer and a powder charge that pushes a shot out of the barrel of a grenade launcher. There are four stabilizers on the tube, which, after flying out of the barrel, open and stabilize the grenade in flight. At the leading edge of the tube are the jet engine nozzles of the grenade, which accelerate it in flight.

There is a fuse on the front edge of the hull, which is triggered when a grenade hits an obstacle. PG-7V is a cumulative grenade designed to combat enemy armored vehicles. When a grenade is detonated, a thin cumulative jet is formed, it burns through the armor and creates a huge temperature and excess pressure in the armor space.

Grenades for the RPG-7 grenade launcher were improved following the improvement of armor protection. Currently, several types of grenade launcher shots are known. In addition to grenades with a cumulative warhead, there are fragmentation and thermobaric ammunition.

RPG-7 modifications

  • RPG-7 - the first version of the famous grenade launcher
  • RPG-7V - with improved sight
  • RPG-7D - landing version
  • RPG-7N / RPG-7DN - landing variant equipped with a night sight
  • RPG-7V1 - with a telescopic sight
  • RPG-7V2 - with a universal sighting device UP-7V
  • RPG-7D3 - modern modification of 2001.

RPG-7 and its variants are issued under license in various countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Iraq, Iran, China, Sudan and many others. Even the United States is releasing its own version of the RPG-7. The American modification has seven Picatinny rails, which allows you to install anything you want on the grenade launcher.

For the first time, the RPG-7 took an active part in the hostilities in Vietnam. His debut was very successful. The aiming range of the RPG-7 is 330 meters. During the Chechen campaign, it was on the use of grenade launchers that the tactics of the attack of the Chechen separatists on the federal troops were based. To date, due to the improved protection of tanks (multilayer armor, reactive armor, active protection), the effectiveness of hand grenade launchers has slightly decreased, especially for old types of grenades. For example, in Iraq, American and British tanks carried up to 15 grenade hits without breaking through the armor.

One of the design features of the RPG-7 is the destruction of everything behind the shooter by the jet stream, therefore, according to the instructions, the fighter must make sure that there are no people behind his back. However, this is a minus characteristic of all types of recoilless guns.

Video: RPG-7 grenade launcher

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G rocket launcher RPG-7 Is a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher designed to combat various enemy armored vehicles: tanks, self-propelled artillery mounts and other armored vehicles. can also be used in the fight against enemy manpower and various low-flying air targets. The RPG-7 grenade launcher was adopted by the USSR army in 1961. This one is still in service with the army of the Russian Federation and other 50 states. It was produced not only in the USSR and Russia, but also in China, Romania, Bulgaria and other states. Thanks to this situation, the variety of ammunition for the RPG-7 is simply amazing. In addition to cumulative anti-tank grenades, thermobaric, high-explosive fragmentation, incendiary, training and many others were also produced. For 50 years, the grenade launcher itself has changed little, by RPG-7 grenades passed a long stage of evolution. To date, it is known that more than 9 million RPG-7s have been produced. Based on this, we can safely say that really popular. proved to be his best side in all armed conflicts in which he was used. This weapon is the most common hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher in the world. Its relevance today remains at the proper level, because the modernization of ammunition for it poses a danger to modern armored vehicles.

The design of the RPG-7 grenade launcher:

The RPG-7 grenade launcher is a weapon that has no recoil when fired, in other words, it is a light dynamo-reactive weapon. RPG-7 device consists of the following components: a barrel with mechanical and optical sights, a striker mechanism and a firing mechanism (USM) with safety devices.

The barrel of the RPG-7 is a pipe with a branch pipe that performs the function of controlling the direction of flight of the RPG-7 grenade and for removing powder gases after firing a shot. USM RPG-7 pulls the trigger from the combat platoon, allows you to put the grenade launcher on the fuse and strikes the striker. RPG-7 double sight - mechanical and optical. The first is used only when the optical is damaged. The RPG-7 optical sight - PGO-7V or PGO-7V-2 (PGO-7V-3) allows you to monitor the battlefield, calculate the distance to the target, make adjustments for target movement speed, range, take into account the ballistics of supplies to the grenade launcher when aiming grenade launcher at the target. Simply put, sight RPG-7 is a system of optical prisms and lenses that are housed in a metal housing filled with dry nitrogen to prevent fogging of the lenses. The RPG-7 optical sight provides a 2.7-fold increase in the target. In addition, it is equipped with a system of light filters that can improve visibility in difficult weather conditions. The rubber cap, which is worn on the lens, prevents the appearance of unmasking glare and dirt. The reticle has a rangefinder scale and a correction scale. RPG-7 can be equipped with a night sight - PGN-1, NSPUM, NSPU-3.

The RPG-7 grenade launcher is in service with over 70 world states. RPG-7 belongs to the best and most famous grenade launchers in the world. It is distinguished by its cheap manufacturing, high reliability, ease of use, lack of recoil when fired, and quite good armor penetration. There are also a couple of disadvantages: when firing, there is a possibility of detecting the shooter, the jet stream of the launching charge inflicts damage at a distance of up to 30 meters behind the shooter.

Designed to combat tanks, self-propelled artillery mounts and other enemy armored vehicles. In addition, it can be used to destroy enemy personnel located in light field shelters, as well as in urban structures.

Optical Sight Grenade Launcher

The grenade launcher consists of a barrel with a mechanical sight, a firing mechanism with a fuse, a striker and an optical sight. The barrel of the grenade launcher consists of a pipe and a branch pipe and serves to direct the flight of the grenade and remove the powder gases when fired. In the RPG-7 grenade launcher, the pipe and the branch pipe are rigidly connected, and in the RPG-7D grenade launcher, it is dry, with the help of the branch projections of the branch pipe, the corresponding pipe recesses, and are fixed in the assembled form with a latch. This design allows you to disassemble and fold the grenade launcher in preparation for the landing. In addition, the RPG-7D grenade launcher has an additional translator with a lever and a spring, an insert and a pin in the firing mechanism, as well as a changed fuse design, which excludes the possibility of a shot in case of incomplete connection of the barrel tube with the branch pipe.

In a grenade launcher with a night sight, a light-blocking mechanism is additionally introduced, which excludes the illumination of the sight by the flame of its own shot.

Grenade in flight

When fired from a grenade launcher, there is no recoil. This is ensured by the outflow of powder gases back through the nozzle and the bell of the barrel branch pipe. The grenade launcher is fired by PG-7V, PG-7VM with a cumulative over-caliber anti-tank grenade and PG-7VR "Resume" with a tandem warhead. The grenade has a jet propulsion engine that increases its flight speed. It has armor penetration, which makes it possible to effectively combat all types of modern tanks and self-propelled artillery installations of the enemy.

The tasks of the tandem part "Resume" are, firstly, to penetrate the anti-cumulative protective layer (AKZS) of the armor (for example, the domestic T-80 tank) and, secondly, to "burn through" the armor itself. AKZS prevents penetration of the armor of vehicles by dispersing the "point" effect of cumulative ammunition.

The PG-7VM shot is a modernization of the standard PG-7V shot, surpassing it in terms of armor penetration, accuracy of fire and wind resistance.

When firing from a grenade launcher with a night sight, a folding bipod is used. It is allowed to shoot with the bipod folded and folded back in any shooting position. If necessary, the bipod is separated from the grenade launcher.

TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

RPG-7

Attacks against Coalition troops are often not initiated directly by the Iraqi resistance command, but are carried out by small gangs on the ground, unhappy with the changing political situation in the country. the choice of resistance in such cases becomes a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher (RPG) -7.

The latest data from the Iraqi War Study Group indicate that the RPG-7 is the cause of death of 50% of American soldiers killed after the end of the active warfare phase. Manufactured since 1961, this anti-tank grenade launcher has proven to be a reliable, cheap and easy-to-use weapon available worldwide. Iraq is one of the countries where the RPG was produced under the license of the USSR. The RPG-7 was the backbone of the Iraqi army; he was in the amount of 3 in each infantry platoon. Officers from the US Army Training Center testify that these weapons and components are ubiquitous in Iraq. This review draws on data from Lester Grau's "Weapons for All Seasons: The Good Old RPG-7"; written in 1997, an article on the use of this weapon against helicopters in Afghanistan is still relevant today. To analyze the problems caused by the RPG-7 in Iraq, it is necessary to know the characteristics of this weapon and the tactics of its use and analyze how these factors relate to the tactics of fighting in Iraq, taking into account local conditions.

RPG-7 - 40-mm anti-tank and anti-personnel grenade launcher for firing active-rocket-propelled (rocket-powered) grenades, designed for firing from the shoulder, loading from the muzzle; weight with telescopic sight is 6.9 kg; effective firing range - 300 m for moving targets and 500 m for stationary ones. The flight range of an anti-tank grenade is 920 m, an anti-personnel one - 1100 m; the projectile explodes after 4.5 from flight. Grenades PG-7, PG-7M, PG-7N, PG-7VL are produced with armor penetration of 600 mm of rolled steel. PG-7VR - tandem cumulative ammunition designed to penetrate explosive reactive armor; OG-7 and OG-7V are anti-personnel fragmentation grenades.

According to recent reports, the concept of defense against these weapons adopted by the US Army in Vietnam is also true for Iraq. It is based on the knowledge of the engagement distances for a given weapon (300 m for moving targets and 500 m for stationary ones) and the fact that an explosion occurs upon contact with any solid surface, due to which it is possible to create defensive barriers, which is especially justified in street battles in the presence of a large number of third-party structures.

Bradley M2 in Iraq

RPG-7 is an excellent weapon for close combat. After long-term use by the Afghan mujahideen, the RPG-7 proved to be excellent in mountainous terrain; it is equally effective in street fighting (as has been shown in Chechnya) and in open space in the Iraqi desert. The use of the RPG-7, regardless of its disguise, leaves a noticeable gray-blue smoke and flash, which the shooter unmasks. To avoid detection, the shooter must immediately change position after firing. However, in street fighting in Iraq, return fire was often problematic due to the presence of significant numbers of civilians near the shooter.

RPG-7 is an effective weapon against moving columns, roadblocks and observation posts. This grenade launcher was designed for close range shooting and is especially dangerous with coordinated fire from two or three shooters; the explosion radius of the anti-tank grenade is about 4 m, which, together with the shock wave and the shrapnel used in anti-personnel ammunition, is very effective against infantry.

Thus, the RPG-7 used by the Iraqi resistance has a number of advantages in close combat: limited ability to return fire due to the reluctance of the Coalition to cause casualties among allies and civilians in street fighting; the ability to quickly hide in nearby buildings; poor visibility due to the clutter of urban infrastructure.

Minimum recoil when firing, effective sights and the short time required to prepare the shooter are additional factors for using the RPG-7.

When used against helicopters, charges with shrapnel piercing the hull are effective; in this case, it is not even necessary to directly hit the hull due to the explosion of the projectile after 4.5 from the flight. Certainly, such use of RPG-7 against a helicopter requires skill, but attacks against Soviet helicopters in Afghanistan confirm its effectiveness. In general, only experienced shooters can effectively fire against moving targets, therefore, barriers, faked accidents, a crowd of people are used to stop a convoy of vehicles, so tactically stopping a moving convoy is not always a good idea, especially in the absence of infantry support.

During the Vietnam War, the RPG-7 proved to be very effective when used by North Vietnamese troops. At this time, in the United States on TV news, jeeps, trucks and armored personnel carriers were often shown, lined with sandbags and entangled with wire mesh, which protected the vehicle's own surface from a direct projectile hit. With the introduction in 1988 of ammunition with a tandem warhead, the precautions developed in Vietnam seemed ineffective, but the use of this type of projectile was not noticed in Iraq, so the Vietnamese concept of protection continued to work.

Representatives of the US 3rd Infantry Division in reports after the hostilities noted the use of homemade frames on the sides of the M2 BMP and M113 armored personnel carriers, which proved to be good protection against RPG projectiles (the projectile exploded at a distance from the side of the vehicle). It is interesting that initially backpacks and other items of military personnel were attached to these frames in order to increase the free space inside the car. Similar protection was used by the Russian troops in Chechnya, when barbed wire was hung on the car in coils at a distance of 20-30 cm from the hull.

According to American soldiers who fought in the new Stryker armored personnel carriers, they can be completely destroyed with one successful shot from an RPG-7 grenade launcher. To protect against these weapons, all armored personnel carriers stationed in Iraq were equipped with special anti-cumulative grilles, which are designed to initiate cumulative ammunition before they reach the armor.

Despite the fact that these grilles in reality stop no more than half of the grenades that fire at armored personnel carriers, they seriously overload the Strykers. The mechanics are forced to check the tire pressure three times a day.

The following are tactical defense tactics developed by the American army against attacks using the RPG-7:
- When moving the columns, avoid using the same routes;
-Plan and apply air escort, the attention of which should be focused on the roofs of buildings and hills, on probable ambushes located in shelters along the route of the convoy;
-Helicopters should avoid using the same takeoff and landing sites, move at a distance of at least 500 m from each other, incl. so as not to overlap each other's likely targets;
-Tanks and infantry fighting vehicles must be ready for ambushes using RPG-7; it is highly discouraged to stop in the event of an ambush, even with the aim of returning fire;
- Foot soldiers must also provide local security together with armored vehicles and prevent attacks;
-Very effective is the preventive fire on the sites of the alleged ambushes;
-The use of smoke grenades and curtains interferes with the aiming of the RPG-7.

RPG is a very interesting infantry weapon; being in many respects the heir to the German "Panzerfaust", when used correctly, it enables the infantry and militants to successfully attack armored vehicles. The advantages of this weapon are the price, ease of use and its lethality; the disadvantage is the need to engage in combat at close range, which is undesirable with superior enemy forces (in Iraq, this problem was solved by using suicide bombers).
The high efficiency of the RPG-7 has been proven in many conflicts of recent decades, including Afghanistan, Chechnya and Iraq. Until now, the RPG-7 can deservedly be considered one of the best examples of "little man's artillery", which is largely due to both the simplicity of the design and use of the grenade launcher itself, and the successful creation of various and highly effective ammunition for it.