RPG-40

• Name — RPG-40 • Origin — Soviet Union • Type — Anti-tank grenade • Is Ranged — yes • Is Explosive — yes • Service — 1940−1945 (Soviet Union) • Used By — See Users • Wars — World War II, Vietnam War • Designer — M. I. Puzirev • Design Date — 1940 • Production Date — since July 1941 • Weight — 1.2 kg • Length — 20 cm • Range — 20-25 m • Filling — TNT • Filling Weight — 0.760 kg • Detonation — Impact fuze

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

A marginally effective design capable of penetrating about 20-25 mm 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. In the post-war period, surplus grenades were supplied to Warsaw Pact countries. These were used by regular army units as late as 1960, and remained in use with militia units as late as 1987. During the Vietnam War, the Soviets supplied North Vietnam with RPG-40, RPG-43, and RPG-6 anti-tank grenades.

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