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RPG-40

RPG-40
Soviet RPG-40 anti-tank grenade
TypeAnti-tank grenade
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1940−1945 (Soviet Union)
Used bySee Users
WarsWorld War II,
Vietnam War
Production history
DesignerM. I. Puzirev[1]
Designed1940[1][2]
Producedsince July 1941[2]
Specifications
Mass1.2 kilograms (2.6 lb)[1][2]
Length20 centimetres (7.9 in)
Effective firing range20–25 metres (22–27 yd)[3]
FillingTNT[2]
Filling weight0.760 kg (1.68 lb)[1]
Detonation
mechanism
Impact fuze[4]

The RPG-40 was an anti-tank hand grenade developed by the Soviet Union in 1940.[1][2] A marginally effective design capable of penetrating about 20–25 millimetres (0.79–0.98 in) of steel armour, it was soon replaced by the RPG-43 and later the RPG-6, both used shaped charges to increase penetration.

Despite becoming quickly obsolete, the grenade remained in service post-war as an anti-personnel weapon, and it was also effective against defensive positions such as bunkers or machine gun nests.

Description

The RPG-40 is a blast anti-tank grenade, with a detonator fitted into a recess in the head of the grenade.[5] Its stabilized in flight by a cloth ribbon which unfolds after being thrown.[5][6]

Upon contact, 760 grams (1.68 lb) of explosives contained within it were detonated and produced a blast effect. This enabled about 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) of armour to be penetrated and caused secondary damage, such as spalling, on contact with thicker armour.[1]

Due its heavy weight, the grenade could be only thrown at a very short ranges, around 20–25 metres (22–27 yd) and behind protected positions, due the blast and secondary fragmentation effect.[3] According to Jane's, the grenade have an effective fragmentation radius of 20 m (22 yd).[5]

It was also used against enemy defensive positions such as bunkers, machine gun nests and pillboxes.[7]

History

The RPG-40 was distributed to Red Army units in 1940, a year before the Great Patriotic War.[7]

In July 1941, Main Artillery Directorate issued an order to begin mass production of these grenades as soon as possible. The production was organized by engineer S. Novikov.[2]

It was effective against lightly armoured vehicles such as the Panzer I and Panzer II, but quickly became obsolete once the Germans started deploying heavier and better armoured tanks.[4]

In March 1943, RPG-40 grenades were tested on a German Pz.Kpfw. VI "Tiger" heavy tank (which was captured by Red Army on the Volkhov Front). As a result, it was found that the RPG-40 can destroy the Tiger's tracked treads, but is no longer able to penetrate its thick side armor. After that, the RPG-40 was replaced by the RPG-43[2] and RPG-6, both designs used a shaped charge warhead to provide better penetration, but it remained in use as an anti-personnel (despite its short range) and anti-bunker weapon.[3]

In the post-war period, surplus grenades were supplied to Warsaw Pact countries. These were used by regular army units as late as 1960,[8] and remained in use with militia units as late as 1987.[5]

During the Vietnam War, the Soviets supplied North Vietnam with RPG-40, RPG-43, and RPG-6 anti-tank grenades.[9]

Users

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Оружие Победы / колл. авт., отв. ред. В. Н. Новиков. 2-е изд., пер. и доп. М., "Машиностроение", 1987. стр.397
  2. ^ a b c d e f g полковник-инженер в отставке С. Новиков. "Личная артиллерия" пехоты // газета "Красная звезда" от 25 июля 1982. стр.4
  3. ^ a b c Rottman 2015, p. 60.
  4. ^ a b McNab 2017, p. 20.
  5. ^ a b c d Hogg 1987, p. 435.
  6. ^ Rottman 2013, p. 47.
  7. ^ a b Yelshin 1981, p. 31.
  8. ^ Department of the Army 1960, pp. 29, 95, 139.
  9. ^ a b Embassy of Vietnam 1971, p. 20.
  10. ^ Department of the Army 1960, p. 29.
  11. ^ Department of the Army 1960, p. 95.
  12. ^ Department of the Army 1960, p. 139.

Bibliography

  • Department of the Army, United States (1960). Handbook on the Satellite Armies. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  • Embassy of Vietnam, United States (20 April 1971). "The Soviet Role in North Viet-Nam's Offensive". Vietnam Bulletin. VII (7). Embassy of Viet-Nam.: 17−23. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
  • Hogg, Ian V, ed. (1987). Jane's Infantry Weapons, 1987-88. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-0843-7.
  • McNab, Chris (2017). German Soldier vs Soviet Soldier: Stalingrad 1942–43. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-2458-5.
  • Rottman, Gordon L. (2013). World War II Infantry Anti-Tank Tactics. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-0541-6.
  • Rottman, Gordon L. (2015). The Hand Grenade. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4728-0735-9.
  • Yelshin, Colonel N. (October 1981). Kuchin, Valentin (ed.). "Hand Grenades". Soviet Military Review (10). Moscow: Krasnaya Zveda Publishing House.: 30−31. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
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