The RPG-26 is a man-portable disposable anti-tank rocket launcher developed by the Soviet Union.
Development
There are currently three versions of the RPG-26 family available, each of similar construction, but containing a different warhead.
- RPG-26 is the basic design, with a single-stage high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.
- RPG-27 contains a tandem-stage HEAT warhead for penetrating modern heavily armored vehicles.
- RShG-1 contains a thermobaric warhead for anti-personnel and urban warfare use.
The RPG-26 is based on the RPG-22, which in turn is based on the RPG-18, which is an almost identical copy of the US M72 LAW. The RPG-18 does not have the M72's disarming switch - once the launcher is extended and armed, it can no longer be disarmed. The RPG-22 and RPG-26 reinstate this missing feature.
Specifications
Manufacturer specifications provided by Rosoboronexport
- Calibre:
- RPG-26: 72.5 mm
- RPG-27 & RShG-1: 105 mm
- Length:
- RPG-26: 770 mm
- RPG-27 & RShG-1: 1155 mm
- Weight:
- RPG-26: 2.9 kg
- RPG-27 & RShG-1: 8 kg
- Aiming range:
- RPG-26: 250 m
- RPG-27 & RShG-1: 200 m
- Operating temperature: +/- 50°C
- RHA penetration:
- RPG-26: 500 mm
- RPG-27: 750 mm after reactive armor
- Kill radius:
- RShG-1: 10 m