"US opinion of Soviet/Russian design RPGs" Topic

I'm curious about the opinion of US combat troops (Iraq, Afghanistan theaters, for example) of the Soviet design RPG in combat.

Effective weapon or overblown reputation?

What are its pros and cons versus comparable western weapons?

Would you want one in your squad TOE?

B

Iraq 2003 one of our Challengers was hit by an RPG, no effect, same against a warrior.

Scots DG C/Os rover group hit by an RPG, warhead went straight though the rear of a hardtop landrover. No casualties but the sprogg officer in the back was a little shocked!

Afg, mate lost his arm to the fin of an RPG warhead!

Tally Ho!

I've read bits from Vietnam where some US troops definitely envied the RPG but in a modern setting, I haven't come across it.

Since the preponderance of RPG in those areas are old RPG-7, they are quite outdated.

They are dirt cheap.
They require no training.
They are readily available.

I don't think effectivenss even comes into it…

It depends on what model, it seems to me. The latest dual warhead model, 29, IIRC seems like it would be pretty dangerous.

I seem to recall that in the 70s the IRA launched 1 from inside a van. It was very effective in totalling the van!

I doubt the warheads are vaguely the same but in 71-72, all our bunkers on base perimeters had chicken wire strung in front on poles. The idea was the chicken wire would detonate the first stage(?) of the warhead and the second would be absorbed by the sandbags/dirt/concrete etc without causing great damage.

Even in 71-72, cheap, relatively plentiful, reliable and virtually idiot proof (provided you remembered back blast) were the salient features. The weapon itself is very light and very simply constructed. All the weight is in the ammunition.

I actually wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the RPG floating around are very similar to those used in the 70's.

Pretty much required kit these days, much like MREs.

Their are a huge number of variants in RPG launchers, rounds and rocket boosters. Most of the stuff we captured in Iraq and Afghanistan were 'older' and had not been stored properly.

I'm probably biased and I'm certain that training is a huge part of it, but I think the RPG is less accurate then LAWs and AT-4s used by US, and Carl Gustavs used by UK. I know Marines and British Soldiers are more likely to hit what they shoot at then Afghans or Iraqis (either Government forces or insurgents).

I've seen "a few" (3) fired in anger by Iraqi regime loyalists, I've seen around a dozen fired by US Marines after they were captured, and I've 'seen' (or been around) when hundreds were fired by Iraqi and Afghan troops being trained by US or other coalition forces. They are simple to use, but not particularly accurate. I've seen a few misfires or erratic ignitions and a lot of duds (I know some of the duds where do the safeties not being removed before being fired).

McKinstry: We used a lot of 'pig wire' (much 'heavier gauge then 'chicken wire') to protect bunkers and entry control points. I've seen an RPG round that had "caught in a chain link fence." Sometimes fences will detonate them (if the fuze hits just right on a piece of wire in the fence), but apparently they get caught more often.

If it was my choice I'd rather have three LAW rockets or AT-4, which can be volley fired then a single RPG which can fire 3 rockets sequentially. The LAWs have the added benefit of being much lighter and more compact to carry.

The proliferation, sheer numbers, availability and duration of RPGs speaks for itself.

pjm

I remember reading that during Vietnam the US Army rated the NVA squads as having slightly better firepower than US Squads because of the NVA having RPGs.

I know some of the duds where do the safeties not being removed before being fired).

IIRC, the safety was a just a cotter pin to stop the tip of the warhead from being depressed on contact. And of course if it was dropped and landed warhead first the pin still in would stop the round from going off.

Delayed my return commute back in 2000 – RPG22 fired from a grassy knoll in a park over the top of Vauxhall Station and into James Bond HQ. Didn't do very much damage. Maybe Thames House has Chobham armour fitted.