Hey friend! Rocket propelled grenades, also known as RPGs, have become one of the most iconic weapons associated with both warfare and video games over the past few decades. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about what exactly an RPG is and how it compares to other weapons. In this guide, we‘ll take a comprehensive look at the origins, capabilities, uses, culture, and future of the RPG.
A Brief History of the RPG
The roots of the RPG stretch back to early anti-tank rifle grenades used in World War 2. These first generation weapons like the German Panzerfaust allowed infantry to engage tanks but had very short range.
After WWII, the Soviet Union began developing rocket propelled anti-tank grenades that could hit targets hundreds of meters away. The result was the birth of the RPG in 1949 with the RPG-2.
The now classic RPG-7 emerged in 1961 with an improved rocket motor and shaped charge warhead. It quickly proliferated around the world and became the weapon of choice for destroying tanks.
To counter the threat posed by RPGs, the US military developed lightweight disposable weapons like the M72 LAW. But the simplicity and reliability of the RPG ensured its place in militaries worldwide.
Through the Cold War, over 9 million RPGs were produced by the Soviet Union alone. China, Iran, Pakistan, Romania, and Bulgaria also manufactures their own variants.
Even today, the RPG remains on the frontlines with more modern designs like the RPG-29 that can defeat reactive armor on tanks. Next, let‘s look at how widespread they‘ve become.
Just How Many RPGs Are Out There?
With so many manufactured over the decades, RPGs can be found almost anywhere conflicts erupt. Exact numbers are difficult to pin down, but here are some estimates:
- Over 9 million produced just in the Soviet Union
- Licensed production in at least 9 countries
- Up to 15 million estimated to have been produced globally
- Over 250 distinct models from various countries
- Stockpiles exist from Albania to Zimbabwe
- Available on black markets for under $500
They‘ve seen extensive use in places like Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and across Africa. Where tanks and armored vehicles are present, the versatile RPG follows soon after. Their simplicity also allows even novice users to deploy them quickly.
Now, let‘s get into the technical nitty gritty of how RPGs actually work and what they can do.
RPG Capabilities and Limitations
The RPG launcher is a simple, low-cost tube with grips, sights, and a trigger. The grenade itself is attached to the front before firing.
The grenade has four main parts – a shaped charge warhead, a rocket motor, a fuse, and a detonator.
When the trigger is pulled, a small explosive charge pops the rocket motor out the front and ignites it. The rocket motor propels the grenade towards the target at over 200 meters per second!
Once it impacts the target, the fuse sets off the detonator which triggers the shaped charge. This creates a focused jet of molten metal that can penetrate several inches of armor. The blast also sprays fragmentation to wound or kill occupants.
The shaped charge gives RPGs much more penetration than a normal explosive. But it needs a direct impact at the right angle to focus its blast into a small point. Glancing blows are much less effective.
Most RPGs have a maximum range of around 200-300 meters. Past that, accuracy falls off sharply. Newer RPGs like the RPG-29 can penetrate over 600mm of rolled steel armor.
While devastating to armor, RPGs have less effect on infantry since their blast radius is relatively small. They also lack guidance systems, relying just on the operator‘s aim.
This makes them less useful against fast, maneuverable helicopters or low flying jets. Their limited range also puts the operator at high risk of return fire on the battlefield.
In the right circumstances though, few infantry weapons can match the RPG‘s versatile punch. Next up, we‘ll see examples of the RPG in action on the battlefield.
RPGs in Action – Prominent Uses and Effects
With so many conflicts involving armored vehicles since WWII, the list of RPG actions is nearly endless. Here are some prominent cases that demonstrate the RPG‘s capabilities when used properly:
Vietnam War – NVA/Viet Cong forces used RPGs to devastate US armored units, knocking out over 1,800 vehicles. RPGs allowed punishing ambushes like at Lang Vei in 1968.
Chechnya – RPGs enabled Chechen rebels to badly maul the advance of Russian tank columns in cities like Grozny in the 1990s. Over 225 Russian tanks were lost.
Afghanistan – Taliban forces using RPGs destroyed over 200 UK vehicles and 150 US vehicles in southern Afghanistan between 2006-2010.
Iraq War – Iraqi insurgents inflicted substantial losses on US armored units through RPG ambushes, leading to development of advanced countermeasures.
Syria – Rebel forces used RPGs to defeat Syrian tanks and make armored warfare very costly for the Assad regime.
Libya – RPG fire helped rebel forces advance in Sirte in 2011 by neutralizing government tanks and artillery in dense urban terrain.
While modern tanks still dominate in open warfare, RPGs allow even lightly armed insurgents to inflict casualties through ambushes in crowded cities and guerilla tactics. Their attributes match the needs of non-state actors very well.
Next we‘ll compare the RPG to other anti-tank missile systems to see its strengths and weaknesses.
RPG vs ATGMs and Other Anti-Tank Weapons
The RPG fills an infantry support role similar to other man-portable anti-tank weapons like the AT4, M72 LAW, and Javelin. But it has some key differences:
Guidance – RPGs lack any homing or guidance, relying just on the operator‘s aim. This limits accuracy, especially at long range. The Javelin and other ATGMs use guided missiles.
Range – Most RPGs have a maximum effective range of around 200-300m. ATGMs like the Javelin can hit targets over 2,500 meters away, outside the RPG‘s range.
Penetration – Modern tandem charge RPGs can penetrate in excess of 600mm of armor. But ATGMs generally have greater penetration thanks to shaped charges and high velocity missiles.
Cost – RPGs are very inexpensive at around $500 each. Sophisticated ATGM launchers cost over $150,000 apiece with each missile running tens of thousands.
So while less capable than ATGMs in some respects, the RPG‘s advantages in cost, simplicity, and versatility help explain its ongoing popularity around the world.
Okay, let‘s move from real RPG basics to their place in video games and pop culture!
The RPG in Video Games and Pop Culture
The sight of insurgents firing RPGs at American forces during the Iraq War cemented the RPGs place as a symbol of asymmetric warfare in the 21st century. It‘s easy to see why it became a favorite game developers.
The classic silhouette of insurgents firing RPGs in the online multiplayer game Counter-Strike undoubtedlyfamiliarized a whole generation of gamers with this weapon.
RPGs feature prominently in military shooters like Call of Duty and Battlefield where their blast radius presents a danger. Realism mods for games like Arma depict RPG characteristics accurately.
Some games like GTA even let players indulge their destructive fantasies firing RPGs at cars and buildings!
On film, the dramatic recoil and smoke trail of the RPG lends well to action sequences. RPGs feature prominently in movies as different as Rambo III, Black Hawk Down, and The Hurt Locker.
There‘s no doubt the RPG has reached iconic status in gaming and military pop culture thanks to its unique look and capabilities.
The Future of the RPG
While RPG technology has evolved since the 1960s, the core design remains extremely difficult to improve on. Newer ATGMs significantly outperform RPGs in range, accuracy, and penetration.
But they also cost over 100 times more! For cash-strapped forces, the RPG still provides ample anti-armor punch for the cost. Latest designs incorporate features like tandem charges to defeat reactive armor.
Given the vast global stockpiles and production capacity, the RPG seems destined to continue serving on battlefields for decades to come. However more advanced weapons will slowly relegate them to a secondary role over time.
Hopefully this guide has helped explain the inner workings and context of the iconic RPG! Let me know if you have any other questions on this legendary weapon system.
