RPG-26

Anti-tank rocket launcher From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The RPG-26 Aglen is a disposable anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher developed by the Soviet Union.

TypeDisposable anti-tank rocket launcher
PlaceoforiginSoviet Union
Inservice1985–present
Wars
Quick facts Type, Place of origin ...
RPG-26
TypeDisposable anti-tank rocket launcher
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1985–present
Wars
Production history
DesignerState Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
Designed1980s
ManufacturerState Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
Produced1985–present
VariantsRShG-2
Specifications
Mass
  • 1.8 kilograms (4.0 lb) (projectile)
  • 2.9 kilograms (6.4 lb) (loaded)
Length77 centimetres (30 in)

Caliber72.5 millimetres (2.85 in)
Action
  • 440 mm: RHA
  • 1000 mm: Reinforced concrete
  • 1500 mm: Brickwork
  • 2400 mm: Log and earth
Muzzle velocity144 m/s (470 ft/s)
Effective firing range250 m (270 yd)
SightsIron sights
Close

Design

The RPG-26 fires a one-stage rocket with jack-knife fins, which unfold after launch.

The rocket carries a 72.5-millimetre (2.85 in) diameter high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) single shaped charge warhead able to penetrate 440 millimetres (17 in) of armour, 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) of reinforced concrete or 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) of brickwork.

The RPG-26 has a maximum effective range of around 250 metres (820 ft). Despite being similar in caliber to the RPG-22, the rocket features a slightly heavier and more powerful HEAT warhead, as well as a more powerful rocket engine.

Variants

RShG-2

The RShG-2 (Russian: Реактивная Штурмовая Граната, romanized: Reaktivnaya Shturmovaya Granata, lit.'Rocket-propelled Assault Grenade') is a RPG-26 variant with thermobaric warhead.

It is also called the Aglen-2 (Russian: Аглень-2).

The RShG-2 is heavier than the RPG-26 at 3.5 kilograms (7.7 lb) and has a reduced direct fire range of 115 metres (377 ft), intended for use against infantry and structures rather than armoured vehicles.

The warhead contains 1.16 kilograms (2.6 lb) of thermobaric mixture, with an explosive yield roughly equal to that of 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) of trinitrotoluene (TNT).

The solid rocket booster of the warhead was taken from the RPG-26 and the fuse taken from the TBG-7 warhead used by the RPG-7. The warhead has a stated penetration ability of 300 millimetres (12 in) of concrete and 500 millimetres (20 in) of brickwork.

PDM-1

Georgian variant made by STC Delta.[1][2]

RPG-26 (second from bottom) with comparable Soviet–Russian rocket launchers

Operators

Current operators

Former operators

References

Further reading

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI