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How Rocket-Propelled Grenades Work
How Stuff Works ^ | 3/04 | Shane Speck

Posted on 03/19/2004 7:42:12 PM PST by mhking

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To: endthematrix
Any postings on the THERMOBARIC shoulder fired weapons here? Used in the Russian campaign against Grozny, I assume they are devastating. Pics of firing would be cool here.

You'll love this neat little round for the RPG-7, produced by the Bulgarian Vazov Machine-Building Works, located in the city of Sopot:

5 January 2001

Thermobaric warhead for RPG-7

Terry Gander

Bulgaria has recently developed the GTB-7G grenade with a thermobaric warhead, introducing the potential to expand the basic RPG-7 Knut (Knout) portable rocket launcher into a true multipurpose weapon. The thermobaric warhead utilizes an advanced form of the fuel-air explosive concept.

The contents of the 93mm diameter warhead are scattered in an aerosol form on impact and then ignited to create a rapidly-formed, high-pressure blast wave, equivalent to that produced by the detonation of 2kg of TNT.

The blast effect is such that significant damage can be inflicted on structures, including field fortifications, and lightly armored vehicles.

When launched from an RPG-7 the GTB-7G grenade has a maximum direct-fire range of 200m, with an initial velocity of 66m/sec (the maximum possible range is 1,000m). The grenade weighs 4.7kg and is 1.12m long. It can be utilized with any RPG-7 launcher once the necessary sight adjustments have been made.

Other recently developed alternative warhead grenades for the fin-stabilized rocket have included variations of anti-personnel HE-FRAG.

The manufacturers are the Vazovski Mashinostroitelni Zavodi (Vazov Engineering Plant), based at Sopot.

The RGP-7 rocket launcher is in worldwide use and the GTB-7G grenade is now on offer for export.

The Bulgarian GTB-7G rocket grenade on the left reveals its long domed thermobaric warhead. On the right is an OG-7VE grenade with an anti-personnel HE-FRAG warhead, also from Bulgaria. (Source: Terry J Gander)

RPG-7 operator's manual *here*.


21 posted on 03/20/2004 1:47:46 PM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
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Comment #22 Removed by Moderator

To: Yehuda
The Russian version is 7.62 x 39mm vs. 7.62 x 51 mm NATO. The Russian round is about equivalent to your granddads 30-30 while the NATO round is equivalent to .308 Winchester.

The ballistics of the two rounds are quite different.

L

23 posted on 03/21/2004 2:39:55 PM PST by Lurker (Don't bite the hand that meads you.)
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To: Yehuda
"Another obvious tactic adopted by the Russians when fighting against the Mujahideen between 1979 and 1989 was to remain at least 1,000 feet (300 meters) away from the enemy, out of RPG-7 and AK-47 Kalashinikov assault rifle range. " [my bold]

I can understand if an AK47's effective aimed range is that low, but I thought the russian version of the .308 went a lot further than 300 meters...?

The limitation for the standard AK47/AKM rifle with 16-inch barrel is mainly the sights; Though the AKsight is graduated out to 1000 meters and that of the AKM to 800, there's no windage adjustment at the rear sight, and their sight notch is pretty coarse; 300 meters is a more realistic number...and the AK magazine even makes a supported prone position less effective.

The longer 24-inch barrel of the RPK squad automatic weapon version of the AK is fitted with adjustment for windage easily set by the operator, and the longer barrel offers both better ballistic performance from the M43 cartridge and the longer sight radius making longer range fire more effective....and the bipod fitted helps as well. Hits on man-sized targets at half a kilometer are quite possible with the RPK, and a short burst may result in a beaten zone with a better than 50% chance of a hit on a single individual out as far as half that again, well beyond what the usual AK can manage. And if a 1P29 4x telescopic sight is fitted, target acquisition becomes even faster and more effective, with adjustment for range being automatically compensated.

The PSO-1 4x telescopic sight generally found atop the SVD sniper's rifle is calibrated for a 1000-meter range for a humanoid target 1.7 meters tall, and the chevron-pattern reticle allows quick and easy choices of elevation at varying range without adjustment of the scope. That's a little farther than the best usual accuracy of a SVD, but the cartridge is certainly effective at that range, and some shooters are very, very good with their SVDs. I would not bet my life that a Dragonov-equipped sniper couldn't make that shot. And there are also more powerful and more modern telescopic and electrooptical sighting units that can be as easily attached to the SVD's side mounting rail as easily as the PSO-1 can be removed from it with the throw of a lever. But 600-800 meters with a SVD and PSO-4 is pretty easy meat.

The SVD *Oar* is not as handy a carbine as an AKM or AK74, weighing almost twice as much, but offering around three times the effective range. And while the old Soviet motor-rifle regiment's forces had only one SVD per platoon, the Russians in Chechnya have often included a SVD, sometimes two, per squad.


24 posted on 03/21/2004 4:54:32 PM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
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To: Yehuda
I can understand if an AK47's effective aimed range is that low, but I thought the russian version of the .308 went a lot further than 300 meters...?

The 7,62x54mm rimmed cartridge of the SVD and PK machinegun is better compared to the US .30-06 cartridge. When we were sighting in SMGT or PKT coaxial machineguns fitted to T-55 and T-62 tanks, we commonly used a 55-gallon drum at 1000 meters as the sight-in target. Hitting one at 1500 meters was not at all a difficult task once sighted in, also about the effective range of the 100mm main gun. Getting on-target at a kilometer usually took a dozen or two dozen aimed single rounds, then the mounting and adjustment bolts were tightened down, and the gun fired full-auto to verify the burst was going where it was wanted. If it wasn't a windy day, it was easy.


25 posted on 03/21/2004 5:05:21 PM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
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To: archy

Is that Val Kilmer ? Looks like him lol

26 posted on 03/21/2004 5:16:55 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK (Laziness travels so slowly that Poverty soon Overtakes him!)
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To: joesnuffy
On the other hand a lot of them (at least the 60s versions) tended to blow up on the operator (We had a couple captured we kept in our firebase bunkers..but though I shouldered it...I didnt have the guts to fire it...our LAW rounds no problemo..the chicom junk...no thanks)

I heard that sometimes an RPG-7 would misfire in such a way that the rocket did not fire, but the timer on the warhead would be initiated anyway, leaving the operator with the need to toss the assembly as far as possible and hit the dirt before it went off. Sure to ruin your day

27 posted on 03/21/2004 5:21:53 PM PST by SauronOfMordor (That which does not kill me had better be able to run away damn fast.)
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To: Lurker; Yehuda
The Russian version is 7.62 x 39mm vs. 7.62 x 51 mm NATO. The Russian round is about equivalent to your granddads 30-30 while the NATO round is equivalent to .308 Winchester

I think Yehuda was thinking of the 7.62x54R fired by the Dragunov

Issued to each squad for long-range firepower (not really a sniper capability in the US sense of the word)

28 posted on 03/21/2004 5:28:08 PM PST by SauronOfMordor (That which does not kill me had better be able to run away damn fast.)
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To: ATOMIC_PUNK

Is that Val Kilmer ? Looks like him lol

Perhaps he took his role as Col. John Henry Patterson in The Ghost and the Darkness about the maneating lions of Tsavo a bit too seriously....


29 posted on 03/21/2004 5:46:35 PM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
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To: SauronOfMordor
I heard that sometimes an RPG-7 would misfire in such a way that the rocket did not fire, but the timer on the warhead would be initiated anyway, leaving the operator with the need to toss the assembly as far as possible and hit the dirt before it went off. Sure to ruin your day

It's true, and resulted in at least one US fatality in training, resulting in live firing training of RPG-7s to be cancelled. The delay between firing and self-detonation of the PG-7 grenade warhead is only 5 seconds, so the gunner has to be awfully fast. The rocket warhead travels at a speed of three footbal fields per second, per the US TRADOC manual.

30 posted on 03/21/2004 5:53:57 PM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
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To: Constitution Day
I promise you will find something of interest in this one!
31 posted on 03/22/2004 5:11:15 AM PST by Fierce Allegiance (Unless you are the lead dog, the view never changes.)
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To: ChadGore
I love that pic. That was part of my sig for a long time on a neutral discussion board. The libs there hate me. ;-)
32 posted on 03/22/2004 5:20:16 AM PST by FreedomPoster (This space intentionally blank)
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To: archy; Cannoneer No. 4
What could have been a very decent article, ruined by the lack of discussion of how a shaped-charge warhead works.
33 posted on 03/22/2004 5:23:07 AM PST by FreedomPoster (This space intentionally blank)
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To: archy
You might consider sending in a paragraph or two to HowStuffWorks.com to help them out.
34 posted on 03/22/2004 5:24:27 AM PST by FreedomPoster (This space intentionally blank)
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To: archy
Oh, heck, I should have figured you'd already be on the thread.
35 posted on 03/22/2004 5:26:16 AM PST by FreedomPoster (This space intentionally blank)
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To: FreedomPoster; archy
Oh, heck, I should have figured you'd already be on the thread.

The man's a walking encyclopedia.

36 posted on 03/22/2004 5:38:13 AM PST by Vigilantcitizen
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To: Vigilantcitizen; spatzie
The man's a walking encyclopedia.

Not if I can thumb a ride....

37 posted on 03/22/2004 5:42:36 AM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
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To: Fierce Allegiance
COOL! I will ck. it out later this morning; thanks for the ping!
38 posted on 03/22/2004 5:57:37 AM PST by Constitution Day (No, mykdsmom is NOT my wife...)
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To: FreedomPoster
What could have been a very decent article, ruined by the lack of discussion of how a shaped-charge warhead works.

There's an excellent but brief description of both the RPG-7 launcher and the PG-7 shaped charge antitank round for it at the following website. But it should be noted that the PG-7 HEAT warhead is not the only one available for the launchers, or now commonly encountered for the RPG-7 and -14 series weapons.

Still, I somehow doubt that my pointing the article out to them would do them much good....

Anti Tank Grenade Launcher RPG-7V with PG-7 HEAT grenade.

39 posted on 03/22/2004 5:58:39 AM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
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To: BenLurkin; PoorMuttly
Hey PM......Lost mail ......... found !

Stay Safe !

40 posted on 05/18/2004 10:56:24 AM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.)
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