RPG-27 Single-use anti-tank rocket launcher

[Zarvan]

The RPG-27 rocket launcher is intended to engage heavy armor



Country of origin Soviet Union
Entered service 1989
Caliber 105 mm
Weight 7.6 kg
Length 1 155 mm
Muzzle velocity 120 m/s
Sighting range 200 m
Range of effective fire 200 m
Armor penetration 600 mm behind ERA, 750 mm without ERA
Concrete penetration 1 500 mm
Earth penetration 3 700 mm


The RPG-27 is a Soviet single-use anti-tank weapon, intended for use against heavy armor. It was developed during the mid- and late 1980s from a smaller RPG-26, and was adopted in 1989. At the time of its introduction it was the most powerful Soviet single-use rocket launcher of the RPG series. Sometimes this weapon is nicknamed the "Tavolga" (meadow grass). It is used by the Russian Army, however no former Soviet republics use this rocket launcher. Some sources report that the RPG-27 was exported to Jordan.

Previous Soviet single-use anti-tank rocket launchers could penetrate up to 400-440 mm of rolled homogenous armor. It was deemed not enough to defeat the latest and well protected Western main battle tanks of third generation, such as American M1 Abrams and BritishChallenger, that emerged during the 1980s. These new tanks featured Chobham composite armor with multiple layers of steel and ceramics. Their protection was much improved comparing with the previous Western tanks, such as M60 Patton and Chieftain. Soviets wanted a new disposable anti-armor weapon for their infantry that could defeat these new Western tanks fitted with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA), as well as future threats.

Externally the RPG-27 resembles a scaled-up RPG-26. It is a much larger, heavier and more capable weapon. Its armor penetration is far greater than that of the RPG-26 due to the larger rocket. Though it is also twice heavier and significantly bulkier.

The RPG-27 is a disposable weapon that can only be used once. The launcher is a simple, smoothbore, aluminum tube, layered with fiberglass on the outside. It fires a pre-loaded rocket, that is factory fitted and sealed. The rocket is powered by a solid-propellant motor. Once the rocket is launched the empty tube is discarded as it can not be reloaded.

The RPG-27 fires a powerful 105 mm mm rocket with a tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead. A precursor charge is used to defeat explosive reactive armor. The same tandem warhead is used by a PG-7VR rocket of the RPG-7 and PG-29V rocket of the RPG-29. It penetrates 600 mm of steel armor behind ERA or 750 mm of steel armor without ERA. This weapon is also useful against all other armored vehicles, as well as bunkers, buildings and various field fortifications. It penetrates 1.5 m of reinforced concrete, 2 m of brickwork, as well as 3.7 m of earth.

The RPG-27 is equipped with only simple flip-up sights, both forward and rear. Maximum sighting range is only 200 meters. Accuracy of this weapon is also rather limited. There is no way to mount an optical or night sight. If the rocket misses the target it self-destructs after flying for several hundred meters, which happens a couple of seconds after launch.

The weapon can be made ready to fire in less than 10 seconds. It is cocked manually by raising the rear sight. Once cocked, this weapon can reverted back to safety. The RPG-27 has a back-blast area of at least 30 meters. This is a serious disadvantage of the weapon, as it endangers nearby personnel. Furthermore such back-blast exposes the operator. Still though the RPG-27 can be used inside buildings.

The RPG-27 is an easy to use weapon. With a little training, or no training at all, one man in every squad could carry one of these rocket launchers, giving each squad significant anti-armor and anti-structure capability. Simple instructions are printed on the side of the weapon. However the RPG-27 weights as two average assault rifles with fully-loaded magazines. It must be carried in addition to a soldier's standard weapon. So considering its size and weight, hefting it through the field on long marches is quite a chore.



Variants



RShG-1 is an anti-structure rocket launcher. It is basically an RPG-27 with a thermobaric warhead. It has a range of 600 meters and lethal radius of 10 meters. This weapon is effective against buildings, bunkers and various field fortifications. Also it can be used against soft skin, or lightly armored vehicles. The RShG-1 was adopted by the Russian Army in 2011.

RMG multi-purpose rocket launcher, based on the RPG-27, but with a tandem High Explosive (HE) rocket. It was developed in the early 2000s. The rocket retains a precursor charge, which penetrates various obstacles, such as explosive reactive armor, reinforced concrete, brickwork, and so on. The main warhead reaches interior of the structure or armored vehicle through the hole created by precursor charge. Its detonation creates multiple effects, including high explosive and incendiary. The RMG is effective against lightly armored vehicles, troops in an open terrain and inside buildings, bunkers and various field fortifications. It has a range of up to 600 meters and penetrates 100 mm of rolled homogenous armor, 300 mm or reinforced concrete and 500 mm of brick wall. This weapon was adopted by the Russian Army in 2011.

RPG-28 is a further development of the RPG-27. It looks like a scaled-up version of the RPG-27 and contains even larger and more powerful 125 mm rocket with a tandem HEAT warhead. So far it is the most powerful single-use anti-tank rocket launcher of the RPG-series. It has a range of 300 meters and penetrates 900 mm of steel armor behind ERA. Though the RPG-28 is even bulkier and heavier than the RPG-27. This weapon is 1 200 mm long and weights a whooping 13.5 kg.

RPG-30 is further improved version of the RPG-27. This weapon was specially designed to overcome active protection systems, such as Israeli Trophy, that become increasingly popular. It has an additional tube with a small precursor rocket, which triggers the active protection system, allowing for the main rocket with a tandem HEAT warhead to hit the target. This weapon was adopted by the Russian Army in 2012.

RPG-27
Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher

RPG-27
Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher

RPG-27
Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher

RPG-27
Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher

RPG-27
Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher

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