RPG-1

The RPG-1 introduced the basic physical and mechanical layout that was also used on the RPG-2 and the far more famous and ubiquitous RPG-7.

• Name — RPG-1 • Origin — Soviet Union • Type — Rocket-propelled grenade launcher • Is Ranged — yes • Service — Never • Designer — G.P. Lominskiy, Main Artillery Directorate, Small Arms and Mortar Research Range • Design Date — 1944–1948 • Cartridge — Rocket • Rate — 4–6 per minute • Range — 50 m • Max Range — 75 m • Sights — Leaf type

In 1944, the Soviets extensively tested new anti-tank weapons, including the German Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck, and the US bazooka. They decided to produce their own design combining the best features of all of these, and began development under G.P. Lominskiy at the Main Artillery Directorate's Small Arms and Mortar Research Range. Initially named LPG-44, after the program's start date, the weapon was intended to be smaller and lighter than a Panzerfaust, but easily reloadable like a bazooka. Its PG-70 warhead was a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round, named for its size, 70 mm wide at its widest point. Development was largely completed by the end of 1944. The system was renamed RPG-1 and the round became the PG-1. However, continued testing revealed a series of problems. A major issue was problems in the firing cap, and that the propellant tended to perform inconsistently with temperature changes. The warhead also penetrated considerably less armor than the Panzerfaust, around 140 mm of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) equivalent. This was too small to fight newer tanks like the Panther. However, it retained Panzerfausts low velocity, making it accurate only over perhaps 50 m, with a maximum range of only 75 m. Work continued to try to address these issues, but in 1947, an all-new design emerged that became the RPG-2. This design was clearly superior. RPG-1 work ended in 1948.