RPG-7

The RPG‑7 is a man‑portable, reusable, unguided anti‑tank rocket launcher developed by the Soviet Union’s Bazalt design bureau. Conceived as a low‑cost, high‑impact solution for infantry to defeat armored vehicles and fortified positions, its design philosophy emphasizes simplicity, ruggedness, and ease of mass production. The launcher consists of a steel tube with a simple flip‑up rear sight and a detachable, reloadable rocket cartridge. Its primary purpose is military, though it has proliferated to irregular forces worldwide. Key innovations include a shaped‑charge warhead capable of penetrating up to 260 mm of rolled homogeneous armor, a dual‑purpose propellant that ignites both the launch charge and sustainer motor, and a universal 40 mm caliber that accommodates a wide variety of warheads (HEAT, HE, thermobaric, smoke). The RPG‑7’s reputation rests on its reliability, low logistical footprint, and iconic status as a symbol of guerrilla warfare, while its distinctive “saw‑tooth” warhead and characteristic back‑blast make it instantly recognizable.