Rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) is a shoulder-fired weapon that shoots a small rocket. The rocket carries an explosive charge called a warhead. The Russians designed the RPG after World War II (1939-1945). It was originally an antitank weapon.
RPG’s are relatively cheap and easy to use. Thus, they are especially popular among guerrilla fighters. Such fighters rely on ambushes and other small-scale attacks against larger, better-equipped forces (see Guerrilla warfare ). Some regular armies, including those of Iraq and Afghanistan, also use RPG’s.
The most popular version of the weapon, the RPG-7, can fire several different types of warheads. Some warheads are meant to kill enemy soldiers. When such a warhead explodes, anyone within 25 feet (7.5 meters) is likely to be killed or badly wounded. Other warheads are designed to penetrate tank armor. But most modern tanks can withstand RPG-7 warheads. However, the more modern RPG-29 can fire warheads that penetrate sophisticated tank armor.
RPG’s are only accurate at short range. Most soldiers have trouble hitting targets beyond 100 yards or meters with an RPG-7.
American troops encountered the RPG-7 in the Vietnam War (1957-1975). In 1993, fighters in Mogadishu, Somalia, shot down two American Blackhawk helicopters with fire from RPG-7’s. The weapons are also popular among Somali pirates.
