RPG-27
The RPG-27, also nicknamed as the "Tavolga", is a Soviet single shot disposable rocket-propelled grenade shoulder-fired missile and rocket launcher, entering service with the Soviet Army in 1989.
History
The RPG-27 Tavolga 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.Usage
On May 1, 2015, members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel 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.Description
The RPG-27 shares a close resemblance to the prior RPG-26 in that it is a man-portable, disposable anti-tank grenade launcher with a single shot capacity.The RPG-27 has a larger diameter round than the RPG-26, which enables higher armour penetration.
The RPG-27 fin stabilised round is a 105 mm tandem-charge high-explosive anti-tank warhead with a range of.
The round has a stated penetration ability in excess of of rolled homogeneous armour and of brick or concrete and of earth.
Variants
RShG-1
The RShG-1 Tavolga-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 and a larger sighting range of. The warhead contains of thermobaric mixture, with an explosive yield roughly equal to that of of TNT. Officially adopted by the Russian Government in December 2011.
RMG
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. 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.