RPG-7 vs SMAW

1967–Present

1986–present

~10,000,000+ units (including licensed copies and variants)

Unknown

950 mm (37.4 in) with stock folded

825 mm

500 mm (19.7 in) tube length

825 mm

7.0 kg (15.4 lb) empty, 7.5 kg (16.5 lb) loaded

7.7 kg

Single‑rocket reloadable tube; optional 2‑rocket drum for rapid reload

1 round

Recoil‑less, rocket‑propelled launch; propellant ignites rearward to counteract recoil, tube acts as a simple launch rail

Recoilless rocket launcher

Single‑stage pull‑trigger with safety lever

Piezoelectric igniter

Flip‑up leaf rear sight graduated 0–500 m, hooded front post; optional optical sight (e.g., PSO‑1) on later variants

Telescopic day sight and night vision