Russian anti-tank grenade launchers and disposable rocket grenades
Until now, the bulk of anti-tank grenade launchers and disposable rocket-propelled grenades, which are in service with the Russian army, have been designed and manufactured in the USSR. This is largely due to the high combat and operational qualities of the Soviet light anti-tank infantry weapons. However, over the past 25 years, the security of modern tanks increased significantly, and the characteristics of armor penetration and firing range of the most massive domestic grenade launchers remained at the same level and did not exceed 400-500 mm of homogeneous armor. That no longer corresponds to modern realities and can guarantee with a fairly high probability the defeat of the tanks of "probable partners" only in the side and the stern. Shortly before the collapse of the Soviet Union, quite effective samples with high armor penetration were created and after comprehensive testing were adopted: the PG-7VR grenade launcher for the RPG-7, the RPG-27 Tavolga disposable grenade launcher, and the RPG-29 Vampire grenade launcher with a shot PG-29V. All rocket-propelled grenades of the listed samples are equipped with a tandem warhead capable of breaking through armor more than 600 mm thick after overcoming dynamic protection. Unfortunately, due to the permanent economic difficulties of modern grenade launchers for RPG-7 and rocket-propelled grenades RPG-27, the troops received a little, and RPG-29, which has excessive dimensions and weight, was exported only.
However, this does not mean at all that in our country there was no work on the creation of new grenade launchers and grenade launchers of increased efficiency. The internationally recognized leader in this field is the scientific and production association "Basalt". Most of the domestic grenade launchers and rocket-propelled grenades were created by the designers of "Basalt". In the past few years, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has adopted a number of grenade launchers and ammunition developed by experts of the NPO "Basalt".
In 2007, the RPG-28 “Cranberry” anti-tank grenade was introduced to the public for the first time. In 2011 this ammunition officially adopted by the Russian army. RPG-28 was developed as a non-standard anti-tank tool to combat modern and advanced tanks protected by multi-layer and modern dynamic armor while maintaining acceptable weight and size characteristics. A rocket grenade with a tandem warhead PG-28, after overcoming dynamic protection, is capable of penetrating 900-mm homogeneous armor. In addition to fighting armored vehicles, the RPG-28 can be used to destroy long-term firing points and other shelters, providing penetration of reinforced concrete or 2,5 meters of brickwork to 3. The target range of shooting is 300 meters, the direct shot range is 180 meters, the transition time to the combat position is 10 seconds.
In order to increase armor penetration, the caliber of the main warhead of the PG-28 grenade has been increased to 125 mm. For the new grenade, a disposable trigger device has been developed, which is a fiberglass monoblock pipe with a length of 1155 mm. As on other domestic disposable rocket-propelled grenades, the RPG-28 launcher contains detailed instructions for use. Near the rear section on the launch tube there is a folding stop, which, when fired from a trench or a prone position, rests on the ground. The emphasis facilitates the retention of a disposable reactive grenade, the weight of which reaches 12 kg and forces the shooter to keep the muzzle of the pipe at a safe height sufficient for the stabilizer blades to open when the anti-tank grenade takes off. Full combustion of reactive charge of the powder, as in the previous one-time models, occurs before the departure of the grenade from the barrel.
In front of the starter there is a foldable handle that serves for ease of retention. On the launch tube are sights, consisting of a fly with sight marks, diopter sight with the ability to enter temperature corrections. The trigger mechanism is similar in its structure to the RPG-27. From the ends, the launch tube is closed by rubber membranes discharged when fired.
To bring the RPG-28 into a combat position, it is necessary to remove the safety catch and bring sights into a combat position. After that, you can launch a grenade by pressing the trigger guard. In the case of the need to transfer the reactive grenade back to the stowed position when lowering the rear sight of the sight in the horizontal position and fixing it with a check, the trigger mechanism is removed from the combat platoon.
Compared to previous generation jet disposable grenades, the manufacturing cost, weight and dimensions of the RPG-28 increased significantly. This was the inevitable price to pay for the increased ability to defeat modern tanks equipped with dynamic defenses. According to the information posted on the official website of the NGO Basalt, deliveries of RPG-28 for the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation are conducted from 2012 year.
The most innovative of all anti-tank ammunition produced before that in the USSR and Russia was the disposable RPG-30 “Hook” grenade. This non-standard anti-tank weapon is designed to destroy modern tanks protected by dynamic armor and active defenses. The design of the RPG-30 is very unusual. A rocket grenade has two rocket projectiles, one of which is used as a target simulator to overcome active protection.
RPG-30 consists of two paired launchers of different diameters with common sights and a single trigger mechanism. The pipes are closed by the fading rubber plugs collapsing when fired.
A larger cumulative PG-30 105 mm cumulative grenade with a tandem warhead is located in the launch tube of a larger diameter. By design, it is in many respects similar to the PG-29 Grenade of the Vampire RPG-29 anti-tank grenade launcher. PG-30 provides penetration of 600-mm armor with dynamic protection or reinforced concrete wall thickness up to 1,5 meter. The mass of the RPG-30 is a little over 10 kg, and the length is 1135 mm. With an initial grenade speed - 120 m / s, the effective firing range - 200 meters.
Currently, in some countries, active protection systems for armored vehicles (KAZ) have already been created or are being developed, which are designed to destroy automatically anti-tank anti-tank grenades and ATGM on approach. A disposable rocket grenade of the new generation RPG-30 is able to effectively overcome existing active protection complexes.
In the pipe of smaller diameter is located a missile - target simulator. According to ballistic characteristics and radar signature, it is identical to the main grenade. When fired from an RPG-30, the 0,2-0,4 trap rocket is ahead of the main cumulative grenade. PG-30 with tandem warhead hits the target after the active protection system has been activated. KAZ of the tank after the destruction of the rocket-simulator can not immediately hit the main grenade, as a cloud of fragments and explosion products reflects the probing radio waves of the complex's radar detector, thereby masking the approaching main anti-tank grenade. Re-detection of anti-tank grenades is possible only after its release from the cloud of fragments. However, this already occurs at a distance substantially less than is necessary to counter the threat.
According to the developers, there are currently no active protection systems for armored vehicles in the world that can effectively counteract the RPG-30. According to information published in open sources, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in 2013 purchased 1000 RPG-30 for parts of the Central and Southern districts, for a total amount of 83 million rubles. Thus, the cost of a disposable rocket grenade exceeds 80 thousand rubles, which is certainly not cheap, but in any case it is much cheaper than the cost of a modern tank equipped with a KAZ. And the cost of living a soldier is impossible to estimate.
In the first half of the 2000-x, the specialists of NPO Bazalt, at the request of a foreign customer, created the reusable Barkas RPG-32 multi-function manual grenade launcher. When creating a new grenade launcher, the task was to obtain a sample of application flexibility comparable to the RPG-7, with a significantly greater striking effect of various types of ammunition. First time this weapon It was demonstrated in 2008 at an arms exhibition in Paris. It was also publicly announced that the grenade launcher was created by order of Jordan. RPG-32 is designed to destroy the widest range of targets - from modern main tanks and combat vehicles to unprotected vehicles, infantry and long-term firing points.
The grenade launcher is a short guide tube with a collimator sight and trigger mechanism. The collimator sight in the stowed position is placed inside the trigger barrel. It is also possible to install other types of sights - optical or night infrared. The weight of the unloaded starting device is about 3 kg. The RPG-32 length in the combat position, depending on the caliber of the grenade, is 900 -1200 mm, the weight of the grenade launcher ready for a shot is 6 kg (with 72-mm grenade) or 10 kg (with 105-mm grenade). One-time replaceable cartridges with rocket launchers of caliber 73 or 105 mm are inserted into the guide. Direct shot range is - 160 meters, sighting range - 700 meters. RPG-32 is a reusable weapon, its launcher withstands more than 200 shots. A distinctive feature of all types of shots for the RPG-32 is their identical ballistics, this allows the use of the same aiming devices and significantly reduces the training time for rocket launchers.
For the grenade launcher developed several types of ammunition for various purposes. The main is 105-mm cumulative shot with a tandem warhead with armor penetration more than 600 mm for dynamic armor. A cheaper 73-mm grenade is designed to hit less protected targets with armor thickness up to 500 mm without dynamic protection. Also in the caliber 105 mm there is a shot with a thermobaric warhead. In addition, the development of high-performance fragmentation ammunition and a shot with a self-aiming combat element striking bronetseli from above.
RPG-32 is also known as "Hashim" - this is the generic name of the Hashemite royal dynasty of Jordan. So the grenade launcher was named on the initiative of the Jordanian King Abdullah II.
Currently, an enterprise is operating in Jordan to assemble RPG-32 grenade launchers and shots to them from assembly kits made in Russia. Among the Jordanian military grenade launcher received the unofficial name "Nashshab", which can be translated as "Crusher."
Special mention deserve disposable rocket flamethrowers and rocket assault grenades with thermobaric warhead. The term "thermobaric" warhead emerged due to a combination of two main damaging factors arising from the volumetric blasting of a sprayed cloud of a fuel-air mixture - high temperature and a zone of high pressure. The fiery cloud itself, due to a long enough time by "explosive" standards of existence (up to 0,3 — 0,4 seconds), provides a high incendiary effect. When a thermobaric warhead is triggered, a small expelling charge sprays a fuel aerosol in the air, after which the resulting fuel cloud is ignited. Due to the fact that the combustion of the fuel-air mixture occurs immediately in a significant amount (the diameter of the fiery cloud when activated, the Bumblebee RPO-A can reach 6-7 meters), it is possible to defeat those inside and near the cloud of manpower and poorly protected targets, the destruction of buildings and structures, as well as the ignition of non-fire resistant materials.
At the end of 80-x 93-mm rocket infantry flamethrower RPO-A "Bumblebee" entered into service with the units of the radiation and chemical protection troops. The Soviet Army RCBZ troops traditionally, apart from protecting against weapons of mass destruction, were assigned the task of defeating the enemy with flamethrowers.
RPO is essentially a disposable rocket launcher with a thermobaric (RPO-A), incendiary (RPO-3) or smoke (RPO-D) warhead. It is called a flamethrower in order to maintain continuity in the troops of the RBHZ. In the flame-throwing units, “Bumblebee” was to replace the rocket infantry flamethrower “Lynx” and the jet flamethrowers. It was developed in the Tula Instrument Design Bureau.
The disposable trigger device is equipped with folding handles to control and hold the weapon, as well as trigger and safety mechanism. Sights are made in the form of a fixed front sight and a folding rear sight with a set of dioptric holes for firing at different ranges.
The warhead is a thin-walled metal capsule equipped with a fire mixture. In the back of the capsule are installed flexible plate stabilizers, in the usual position wrapped around the body. The powder charge located in the engine, when fired, pushes the capsule out of the barrel, while the engine case itself remains in the barrel, and after the capsule leaves, it is released by residual pressure from the launch tube, playing the role of a counterweight back. After departure from the barrel, the capsule receives additional acceleration from the jet engine.
With a weight of 12 kg and a length of 920 mm, the RPO-A has an effective firing range - 200 meters, the maximum firing range is 1000 meters. When 2,2 kg of thermobaric fire mixture blows up, an affected area of 50 m² is formed in open areas, in an enclosed space - up to 80 m². In the high-explosive action RPO-A is not inferior to the 122-mm artillery projectile. Jet flamethrower is an effective means of destroying manpower, pillboxes and lightly armored targets. When a warhead fires, the cloud of fire is able to flow into trenches, shelters, and leaking embrasures of firing points. In the course of both Chechen wars, cases were repeatedly recorded when, after the warhead of the RPO-A warhead entered the window opening, brick and panel buildings partially or completely folded. When firing on lightly-armored vehicles, the Bumblebee is capable of breaking through 20-25-mm armor, while the explosion products leak into the combat vehicle and defeat the crew with excessive pressure. As field tests showed, the use of RPO-A against tanks, as a rule, leads to the decommissioning of their weapons, surveillance devices and communications. A powerful shock wave breaks attachments and elements of dynamic armor.
Once again, the Russian "Bumblebee" has demonstrated its effectiveness during the hostilities in the Syrian Arab Republic. RPO-A was first seen in Syria in the second half of 2015. Disposable thermobaric flamethrowers used the forces of the Fourth Assault Corps of the Syrian Army, which, with the support of the Russian aviation conducted offensive operations in the north-west of the country.
Taking into account the experience of conducting combat operations in the city at the beginning of the 20th century, the RPF-M Shmel-M rocket infantry flamethrower was created in the Tula Instrument Design Bureau (the RPO-2 designation Prize is also encountered). It is a more effective alternative to RPO-A.
New 90-mm infantry flamethrower entered service in the 2004 year. Designers KBP managed to achieve a noticeable increase in the firing range, the effectiveness of the target and significantly reduce the mass of weapons. The weight of the fuel mixture in the RPH-M warhead is 3,2 kg, which is equivalent to 8 kg of TNT. The effective firing range has increased to 300 meters, and the maximum is now more than 1500 meters.
During the shot, the charge of the jet engine rigidly fixed on the body of the warhead is completely burned before the departure of the projectile from the transport and launch container made of fiberglass. With the increased combat effectiveness, the RPO-M flamethrower has become significantly lighter compared to RPO-A, its mass has decreased by 1,2 kg.
As shown by the combat experience of local armed conflicts of recent decades, during the fighting, the military of the Russian army, as a rule, use RPG-7 and one-time rocket-propelled grenades to destroy live, firing points and destroy fortifications. However, regular cumulative combat units of anti-tank ammunition with good penetration ability do not have sufficient high-explosive and fragmentation action. In this regard, a series of jet assault grenades were developed in our country, which are a non-standard means of reinforcement of motorized rifle and airborne units.
The RSHG-1 rocket assault grenade was developed at the Basalt research and production association based on the RPG-27 disposable anti-tank rocket grenade and entered service in the 2000 year. The main difference between RSHG-1 is the use of thermobaric warhead. The RSHG-1 warhead contains about 1,9 kg of the fuel mixture, which, when the fuel-air cloud is blown up, gives a high-explosive effect, comparable to the explosion of 5 kg of TNT. The effective firing range is - 150 meters, weight - 8 kg.
The RSHG-105 1-mm grenade is designed to combat manpower, lightly armored vehicles and enemy fortifications. According to the principle of hitting the target, the combat part of the grenade is similar to the action of the RPO-A jet infantry flame thrower. However, due to a different classification ("grenade" and not "flamethrower") with a similar mechanism for hitting targets RSHG-1 comes into service with motorized infantry and airborne units, and not flamethrower units of RCBZ troops.
The transport-triggering device, sights and trigger mechanism RSHG-1 generally repeat the RPG-27. Possessing practically the same mass and dimensional characteristics, the RSHG-1 is significantly superior to the RPG-27 in effectiveness in the destruction of infantry and long-term weapon emplacements.
With high combat qualities of RPM-A, RPO-M jet flamethrowers and RSHG-1 jet assault grenades, their weight and size characteristics are quite burdensome during long-term transport. A much lighter ammunition with a thermobaric warhead was the 73-mm RSHG-2 rocket assault grenade. Its weight is 3,8 kg.
RSHG-2 was created by the specialists of NPO Basalt on the basis of the RPG-26 disposable anti-tank rocket grenade and unified with it by the jet engine and starting device. Warhead RSHG-2 equipped with about 1,16 kg of the fuel mixture, which, when burned, the fuel-air cloud gives a high-explosive effect, comparable to the explosion of 3 kg of trotyl. The effective range of the RSHG-2 is 115 meters.
The original Russian development is the 105-mm reactive multi-purpose grenade RMG, officially consisting in service with the Russian army from the 2001 of the year. The purpose of the creation of this ammunition was to give the reactive assault grenade the possibility of fighting armored vehicles and increasing the striking effect when firing at lightly armored targets. To ensure the destruction of light armored vehicles, its crew and assault force, a warhead is needed that can create a large enough hole in the armor and provide the necessary high-explosive and incendiary action.
The single-use reactive multi-purpose grenade of the RMG is intended for the destruction of manpower in open areas, in field-type shelters and long-term firing points, as well as for fighting light-armored vehicles.
The RMG rocket grenade was created at NPO Basalt on the basis of the RSHG-1 assault grenade, and unified with it by the launcher and rocket engine. The main difference between the two is the presence on the 105-mm warhead of a small cumulative charge leader before the main thermobaric charge, which significantly increases the armor penetration rate of the armor or shelter walls. Undermining the main warhead occurs with a deceleration already inside the target object, ensuring the most effective destruction of sheltered manpower and equipment behind the punctured barrier.
For reliable operation of the tandem warhead in the right sequence and increase of the prohibitive action, a number of new technical solutions have been applied. In order to increase the effectiveness of the ammunition when acting on obstacles of various thickness and strength, a piezoelectric fuse is used, the final cocking of which occurs due to overloads caused by the explosion of the front head part, and the actuation depending on the type and thickness of the obstacle. Undermining the main thermobaric warhead occurs at the command of the executive-safety sensor, depending on the type of target, both outside and inside the barrier. When this occurs, the automatic selection of the moment of the explosion, with the application of the maximum possible damage to the target.
When meeting with thick armor, the cumulative warhead pierces a hole in it that is insufficient to allow the main charge to penetrate into the armored space. When the thermobaric charge strikes the armor in the area of the hole formed by the shaped charge, the shock fuse undermines the main charge, and the products of its explosion through the hole made by the shaped preliminary charge penetrate into the space.
In the event that a thick concrete or brick wall is encountered along the path of the RMG grenade, the cumulative warhead creates a hole in it with a cavity. Thermobaric charge, partially penetrating into the cavity, explodes inside the wall and destroys it. At the same time, the explosion products, excessive pressure and wall elements strike the living force behind the barrier through the gap formed.
When hit by a “soft” obstacle - a car body, into a thin wooden or brick wall - after penetrating them with a cumulative warhead and making a hole sufficient to pass the main charge, it is exploded after a specified time, with a pyrotechnic time delay circuit. When this is achieved the most effective defeat of manpower, located behind the barrier.
With a mass of 8,5 kg and a length of 1000 mm, the effective firing range of the RPM reaches 130 meters. The tandem cumulative-thermobaric warhead is capable of penetrating 120 mm of homogeneous armor, which may be enough to destroy tanks in the side. The thickness of the pierced concrete and brickwork is 300 and 500 mm. With the destruction of the bunker, the depth of the earth layer reached 1,5 meter.
At present, Russia continues to be the leader in the field of developing light anti-tank weapons for infantry — disposable rocket assault grenades and rocket flamethrowers. Grenade launchers and disposable rocket grenades of Russian production are in steady demand on the world market, are in service in the armies of many states and are used with high efficiency in combat operations during armed conflicts around the world.
Based on:
http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/12095/
http://bazalt.ru/ru/sredstva_blizhnego_boya1/
http://tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/201509150832-rdrj.htm
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