RPG-7

Go Back to Man-Portable Rocket Launcher

Go Back To Weapons Home

	Weapon: RPG-7 Type: Man-Portable Rocket Launcher Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1961 Caliber: 40mm Action: Rocket-Propelled Grenade Overall Length (mm): 950.0 Overall Length (in): 37.4 Weight (kg): 7.00 Weight (pounds): 15.43 Effective Range (m): 500 m Effective Range (yards): 546.81

The RPG-7 is a portable, shoulder-fired, anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher developed by the Soviet Union in 1961. Its design builds upon the earlier RPG-2, featuring improved range, accuracy, and versatility. The RPG-7 employs a reusable launcher tube, capable of firing a variety of rocket-propelled grenades designed to defeat armor, fortifications, and personnel. The system is simple, durable, and lightweight, weighing around 7 kg unloaded, which makes it highly effective in diverse combat environments. Its modular design allows for the attachment of various optical sights, enhancing its capability for both daytime and nighttime operations.

Production of the RPG-7 began in the Soviet Union and has since expanded globally, with millions of units manufactured by numerous countries, including licensed and unlicensed copies. Its widespread adoption by military and non-state actors is a testament to its effectiveness and affordability. The launcher and its munitions are produced in a range of configurations, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), high-explosive fragmentation (HEF), and thermobaric rounds, making it adaptable to multiple roles in combat.

The RPG-7 has seen extensive service in conflicts worldwide, from the Vietnam War to modern-day insurgencies in the Middle East and Africa. Its notoriety comes from its effectiveness against armored vehicles and its symbolic association with guerrilla warfare. Despite being over six decades old, the RPG-7 remains in widespread use due to its reliability, ease of operation, and the availability of munitions, solidifying its place as one of the most iconic and enduring infantry weapons in military history.

How the RPG-7 Actually Works

Ukrainian Soldiers Shooting The Powerful Soviet RPG-7 And RPG-22 Rocket-Propelled Grenades