RPG-27

• Name — RPG-27 • Origin — Soviet Union, Russia • Type — Disposable rocket launcher • Is Ranged — yes • Is Explosive — yes • Is Artillery — yes • Service — 1989–present • Used By — See Operators • Wars — War in Donbas Syrian Civil War • Designer — State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt • Design Date — 1980s • Manufacturer — State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt • Production Date — 1989 • Variants — RShG-1 RMG • Weight — 7.6 kg • Length — 1155 mm • Caliber — 105 mm • Action — 750 mm: RHA 650 mm: RHA after ERA 1.5 m: reinforced concrete 3.7 m: earth • Velocity — 120 m/s • Range — 200 m • Sights — Iron sights

The RPG-27 Tavolga ('meadow grass') was developed by the State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt, as a modern, anti-tank grenade launcher with a one-stage rocket, designed to defeat modern and future tanks with advanced reactive and composite armor, and fortified infantry.

On May 1, 2015, members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) used an RPG-27 to shoot down a Mexican Air Force Eurocopter EC725 Cougar helicopter during an operation targeting cartel leader El Mencho. The rocket hit the tail, causing the helicopter to spin and crash, killing nine personnel on board.

The RShG-1 Tavolga-1 (Таволга-1) is a variant of RPG-27 with thermobaric warhead. The RShG-1 is intended to be used against soft skinned and lightly armored vehicles, buildings, military installations and infantry. The RShG-1 is very similar in operation to the RPG-27. It has a lethal radius of 10 m and a larger sighting range of 600 m. The warhead contains 1.9 kg of thermobaric mixture, with an explosive yield roughly equal to that of 8 kg of TNT. Officially adopted by the Russian Government in December 2011.

The RMG rocket launcher was developed by Bazalt in the early 2000s. The RMG is a smaller, multipurpose variant of the RShG-1 that is optimized as a bunker buster and to defeat light vehicles and infantry in cover. As a result, its penetration performance against tank armor is reduced. The RMG launcher carries a tandem warhead. The precursor HEAT warhead penetrates armour or other obstacles (reinforced concrete, masonry, etc.). The aerosol produced by the main thermobaric warhead enters the target through the opening created by the precursor charge and combusts, producing high-explosive and incendiary effects. The launcher and round share the same designation, as is standard for disposable rocket launchers. S. Kh. Irtuganov was the lead designer for the project. It was officially adopted by the Russian Government in December 2011.

• Illustration — Operators

• Houthis • Iran • Jordan • Russia • Syria • Transnistria

• Soviet Union