RPG-2

Studying German and US anti-tank rocket designs, in 1944 the Soviets developed the RPG-1 with the goal of combining the best features of the German Panzerfaust single shot recoilless weapon with the US Bazooka rocket launcher. Propelled by a 30 mm cartridge, the {{convert|70|mm|abbr=on}} high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shaped charge round could penetrate about {{convert|150|mm|abbr=on}} of homogeneous armour.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=16}}

Early testing revealed several minor problems, but, by the time these were being solved, 150 mm of penetration was no longer considered effective against modern tanks, even late-war designs like the Panther. The warhead was already straining the abilities of the cartridge and its range was already considered too low.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=16}} Modifications to improve this began, but in 1947 the RPG-2 program began as a parallel project. Development of the RPG-2 was carried out by the GSKB-30 design bureau, originally part of the Commissariat for Munitions, but in the post-war period handed to the Ministry of Agriculture to help design farm equipment.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=17}}

The main difference in performance between the two were due to size. The RPG-2 used a custom designed {{convert|40|mm|abbr=on}} cartridge to provide much greater power, and the warhead enlarged to {{convert|80|mm|abbr=on}}. This improved penetration to {{convert|180|mm|abbr=on}}, which allowed it to penetrate the frontal armor of all but the very heaviest tanks, and the side and rear armor of any tank. The larger cartridge gave the PG-2 warhead slightly better practical range as well, about {{convert|150|m|abbr=on}} against stationary targets.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=17}}

The design of the PG-2 differed considerably from that of the PG-1 of the RPG-1. The rear section of the PG-1 consisted of a central tube holding the propelling charge, and a second tube around this carrying the fins. When the round was inserted into the launcher, the second tube was outside the launcher tube, requiring the front of the launcher to be free of any fittings. The PG-2 replaced the fins with small metal leaves attached to the inner tube, and eliminated the outer tube found on the PG-1. This allowed the entire propellant section to be inserted into the launcher, which in turn allowed the sights and trigger assembly to be mounted right at the front of the launcher. This slightly reduced the length compared to the RPG-1, made the entire assembly more robust, and allowed the use of conventional fore-and-aft sights.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=17}}

The new design was such an improvement on the earlier design that development of the RPG-1 ended in 1948. The first production versions of the RPG-2 entered service with the Soviet Army's infantry squads in 1954.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=19}} Although the RPG-2 could be operated by one man, standard military practice called for a two-man crew: a grenadier carrying a Stechkin APS, the launcher and a purpose-built backpack containing three grenades and an assistant armed with a rifle and carrying another three-grenade backpack. {{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=17}}

In 1957, the launcher was adapted to be able to mount the NSP-2 infrared (IR) night-sight system, which consisted of an IR spotlight and a detector, together weighing (with batteries) {{convert|6|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}. The NSP-2 was usable out to {{convert|150|-|200|m}} under good conditions. When fitted with the NSP-2, the launcher became known as the RPG-2N.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=20}}

Widely distributed to allies of the Soviet Union, it was also produced under license by China, North Vietnam and North Korea. Used against the U.S. military in the Vietnam War, its Vietnamese variants were called the B40 ("Bazooka, 40mm"){{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=19}} and B50, using the Chinese Type 50 HEAT warhead.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=40-41}}

File:RPG 2 TBiU 37 2.jpg with an RPG-2 launcher.]]

{{more citations needed section|date=March 2020}}

File:PG-2 grenade Kyiv 1.jpg (HEAT) projectile]]

The RPG-2 anti tank grenade launcher is a simple 40 millimeter steel tube{{Cite web |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/Weapons_and_Markets/Tools/Weapons_ID_DB/SAS_weapons-rocket-launchers-RPG2.pdf |title=RPG-2 Weapons identification sheet |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918144700/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/Weapons_and_Markets/Tools/Weapons_ID_DB/SAS_weapons-rocket-launchers-RPG2.pdf |archive-date=18 September 2013 |url-status=dead}} into which the PG-2 grenade is fitted. The tailboom of the grenade inserts into the launcher. The diameter of the PG-2 warhead is 80 mm. The center section of the tube has a thin wooden covering to protect the user from the heat generated by the grenade launch. The wooden covering also makes using the weapon in extreme cold conditions easier.

The total length of the weapon with a grenade fitted is {{convert|120|cm|in|sp=us}} and it weighs {{convert|4.48|kg|lb|link=on}}. Only a simple iron sight is provided for aiming.

Only one type of grenade, the PG-2 high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), was used in the RPG-2. The propellant, consisting of granulated powder, is in a rolled cardboard case treated with wax that has to be attached to the grenade before loading. Once attached to the propellant charge, the grenade is inserted into the smooth-bore launcher from the front. A tab on the body of the grenade indexes in a notch cut in the tube so that the primer in the propelling charge aligns with the firing pin and hammer mechanism.

To fire the RPG-2, the grenadier cocks an external hammer with his thumb, aims, and pulls the trigger to fire. Upon launch, six stabilizer fins unfold from the grenade.

The weapon is accurate, depending on the soldier's experience, against stationary targets up to {{convert|150|m|abbr=on}} and against moving targets at ranges of less than {{convert|100|m|abbr=on}}. It has a muzzle velocity of {{convert|84|m/s|abbr=on}} and can penetrate armor up to {{convert|180|mm|abbr=on}} thick.

• RPG-2N – First introduced in 1957, equipped with a NSP-2 night sight, connected to a battery man pack via cable.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=20}}
• B40 – North Vietnamese clone of the RPG-2.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/sadj-identification-series-the-rpg-id-guide/|title=SADJ Identification Series: The RPG ID Guide – Small Arms Defense Journal}} Rear barrel guard is {{convert|50|mm|abbr=on}} shorter than the RPG-2/Type 56.{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=19}}
• B50 – Enlarged version of the B40.
• Type 56 – Chinese clone of the RPG-2.{{Cite web|url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/RELAWM40059/|title=Type 56 (RPG 2) Rocket Launcher: Viet Cong}}
• P-27 – Czech version of the RPG-2.
• RPG-2 clones made by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front{{Cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/98/0403/is1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226080441/http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/98/0403/is1.html|archive-date=2015-12-26|title=Asianow - Asiaweek}}
• M57 – Yugoslavian clone. Heavier than the standard RPG-2 and uses different ammunition. Equipped with bipod and optical sight. Uses sand in the propellant system to add mass.{{Cite web |last=Suciu |first=Peter |date=2022-07-26 |title=RPG-2 – The Original ComBloc Anti-Tank Weapon |url=https://www.thearmorylife.com/rpg-2/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=The Armory Life |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |first=Dan |last=Shea |title=SADJ Identification Series: The RPG ID Guide |page=2 |date=15 August 2023 |journal=Small Arms Defense Journal |url=https://sadefensejournal.com/sadj-identification-series-the-rpg-id-guide/2/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |language=en-US}}

{{more citations needed section|date=April 2010}}

File:Vietnamese B-40 anti-tank weapon.jpg

• {{flag|North Korea}} − Locally produced from 1958 to 1959{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=19}}
• {{flag|Somalia}}{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830000609/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2012.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 30, 2012|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2012/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2012-Chapter-10-EN.pdf|chapter=Surveying the Battlefield: Illicit Arms In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia|title=Small Arms Survey 2012: Moving Targets|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2012|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|pages=341|isbn=978-0-521-19714-4}}
• {{flag|Somaliland}}{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}
• {{flag|Syria}}{{cite news|title=La 104ème brigade de la Garde républicaine syrienne, troupe d'élite et étendard du régime de Damas|trans-title=The 104th Brigade of the Syrian Republican Guard, an elite troop and standard-bearer of the Damascus regime|url=http://www.francesoir.fr/politique-monde/la-104eme-brigade-de-la-garde-republicaine-troupe-elite-regime-damas-combats-alep-ghouta-deir-ezzor-bachar-al-assad-issam-zahreddine-etat-islamique-arm%C3%A9e-syrienne-artillerie-druze-daech-forces-speciales|date=20 March 2017|language=fr|work=France-Soir}}
• {{flag|Thailand}} − Used in small numbers, mainly by Thahan Phran{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

• {{flaglist|Albania|1946}} − Type 56{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=452}}
• {{ANG}}{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=766}}
• {{flag|Biafra}} − Used Type 56s in small numbers{{cite book|last=Jowett|first=Philip|title=Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967-70|year=2016|publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford|isbn=978-1472816092|page=23}}
• {{flag|Bulgaria}}
• {{flag|Cambodia}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/files/sas/publications/w_papers_pdf/WP/WP4_Cambodia.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060811051132/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/files/sas/publications/w_papers_pdf/WP/WP4_Cambodia.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 11, 2006|title=Small Arms Survey – Reports}}
• {{flag|China}} − Adopted and produced by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) as the Type 56 RPG;{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=19}} replaced by the newer Type 69 RPG{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=36}}
• {{flag|Czechoslovakia}} − P-27 clone
• {{flag|East Germany}}{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=17}}
• {{flag|Egypt}} − 60 launchers and 3,600 rounds supplied by East Germany between 1967 and 1968{{sfn|Herf|2016|page=138}}
• {{flag|Georgia}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=RPG-2|url=https://salw-guide.bicc.de/en/weapon/view/41|access-date=|website=SALW Guide}}
• {{flag|Grenada}}
• {{GUI}}{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=769}}
• {{flagicon|Hungary|civil}} Hungary{{cite book |last1=Lugosi |first1=József |editor1-first=József |editor1-last=Lugosi |editor2-first=György |editor2-last=Markó |title=Hazánk dicsőségére: 160 éves a Magyar Honvédség |trans-title=To the glory of our country: the Hungarian Armed Forces are 160 years old |language=hu |year=2008 |publisher=Zrínyi Kiadó|location=Budapest |isbn=978-963-327-461-3 |page=389 |chapter=Gyalogsági fegyverek 1868–2008}}
• {{flag|Indonesia}} − M57{{cite book |last=Subroto |first=Hendro |title=Operasi Udara di Timor Timur |trans-title=Air Operations in East Timor |date=2005 |location=Jakarta |publisher=Pustaka Sinar Harapan |isbn=979-416-837-8 |language=id|page=63 }}
• {{flag|Iraq|1963}} − Type 56{{sfn|Jones|Ness|2010|page=452}}
• {{flag|Laos}}
• {{flag|Lesotho}}{{cite book|title=Beyond Blue Helmets: Promoting Weapons and Ammunition Management in Non-UN Peace Operations|first=Eric G. |last=Berman|publisher=Small Arms Survey/MPOME |date=March 2019|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-MPOME-Report-WAM-Non-UN-Peace-Ops.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603103636/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-MPOME-Report-WAM-Non-UN-Peace-Ops.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 3, 2019|page=43}}
• {{flag|Libya|1977}}
• {{MLI}}{{sfn|Hogg|1988|page=771}}
• {{flag|Mongolia}}
• {{flag|Mozambique}} − Type 56s were supplied by China during Independence War
• {{flag|Myanmar}} − Supposedly used RPG-2s secretly provided by Israel through Singaporean channel from pro-Palestinian guerrilla stock{{cite magazine |last=Ashton |first=William |date=March 1, 1998 |title=Burma receives advances from its silent suitors in Singapore |url= |magazine=Jane's Intelligence Review |location= |publisher= |volume=10 |issue=3 |page=3298}}
• {{flag|North Macedonia}}
• {{flag|Poland|1928}} − Ordered 2,600 P-27s from Czechoslovakia between 1952 and 1955{{Cite web |title=Pancéřovka 27 (P27): Česká republika / Československo (CZE) |url=https://www.valka.cz/Pancerovka-27-P27-t37213 |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Valka.cz |language=cs}} Also used RPG-2s
• {{flag|Portugal}} − A number of units captured from the Angolan, Guinean and Mozambican guerrillas, used mainly by the Portuguese paratroopers, commandos and other special forces
• {{flag|Romania}}
• {{flag|Rhodesia}}{{cite book |last=Anthony Trethowan |title=Delta Scout: Ground Coverage operator|year=2008|edition=2008|page=185 |publisher=30deg South |isbn=978-1-920143-21-3}}
• {{flag|Soviet Union}}{{Cite web|url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/grenade-launchers/russia-grenade-launchers/rpg-2-eng/|title=RPG-2|website=Modern Firearms|date=28 October 2010}}
• {{flag|Ukraine}} − Several units in storage as of 2008{{Cite web|url=https://zakon4.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1092-2008-%D1%80|script-title=uk:Про затвердження переліку військового майна Збройних Сил, яке може бути відчужено|publisher=Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine}}
• {{flag|United States}} − Used by MACVSOG recon teams{{Cite web |first=John L. |last=Plaster |date=April 7, 2020 |title=Behind Enemy Lines: Guns of Vietnam's SOG Warriors |url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/behind-enemy-lines-guns-of-vietnam-s-sog-warriors/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=American Rifleman |publisher=National Rifle Association |language=en}}
• {{flag|Vietnam}}{{cite book |last=McNab |first=Chris|title=20th Century Military Uniforms |year=2002 |edition=2nd |publisher=Grange Books |location=Kent |isbn=1-84013-476-3|page=306}} − Designated as the B-40 in Vietnamese service
• {{flag|Yugoslavia}} − Adopted and produced as the M57{{Cite web |last=Shea |first=Dan |title=The RPG-7 System Primer |website=Small Arms Defense Journal |date=19 September 2022 |url=https://sadefensejournal.com/the-rpg-7-system-primer/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |language=en-US}}
• {{flag|Zaire}} − M57 Used by Serbian mercenaries of the White Legion{{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |title=Great Lakes Holocaust: First Congo War, 1996−1997 |date=2013 |publisher=Helion and Company |isbn=978-1-909384-65-1 |page=47 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SuXZAwAAQBAJ |language=en}}
• {{flag|Zimbabwe}}{{cite book|last=Grant|first=Neil|year=2015|title=Rhodesian Light Infantryman: 1961-1980|page=8|publisher=Osprey |isbn=9781472809629|series=Warrior 177}}

• {{flagicon image|AQMI Flag asymmetric.svg}} Abu Sayyaf − Used RPG-2/B40s {{cite book|last=Schroeder|first=Matt|date=2013|chapter=Captured and Counted: Illicit Weapons in Mexico and the Philippines|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2013/en/Small-Arms-Survey-2013-Chapter-12-EN.pdf|title=Small Arms Survey 2013: Everyday Dangers|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2013.html|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=308|isbn=978-1-107-04196-7|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824225557/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2013.html|archive-date=August 24, 2013}}
• {{flagicon image|Flagge FDLR.svg}} Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda{{cite book|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Highlights-EN.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701142546/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Highlights-EN.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2015|chapter-url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Chapter-07-EN.pdf|chapter=Waning Cohesion: The Rise and Fall of the FDLR–FOCA|title=Small Arms Survey 2015: weapons and the world|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2015|author=Small Arms Survey|author-link=Small Arms Survey|ref={{harvid|Small Arms Survey 2015}}|page=201}} {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228201408/https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2015/eng/Small-Arms-Survey-2015-Chapter-07-EN.pdf|date=2021-02-28}}
• {{flagicon image|Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front former flag.svg}} Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=19}}
• {{flagicon image|ARMM flag.png}} Moro Islamic Liberation Front − RPG-2 clones[https://web.archive.org/web/20181123130217/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-improvised-craft-weapons-report.pdf smallarmssurvey.org]{{cite thesis|title=The Filipino Way of War: Irregular Warfare through the Centuries |last1=Reyeg|first1=Fernando M.|last2=Marsh|first2=Ned B.|date=December 2011|type=Master Thesis|publisher=Naval Postgraduate School|hdl=10945/10681|pages=114}}
• {{flagicon image|MNLF flag.svg}} Moro National Liberation Front{{Cite web|url=https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/sites/default/files/resources/Philippines%20Book%20WEB.pdf|title=Primed and Purposeful: Part 2 – Moro National Liberation Front and its Bangsamoro Armed Forces |page=327 (360 in PDF)}}
• {{flagicon image|Flag of Mozambique (1974–1975).svg}} Mozambique Liberation Front{{cite book|last=Abbott |first=Peter |title=Modern African Wars (2): Angola and Mozambique 1961–1974 |url=https://archive.org/details/modernafricanwar00abbo_283 |url-access=limited |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=Oxford |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-85045-843-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/modernafricanwar00abbo_283/page/n15 15]}}
• {{flagicon image|Infoboxnpa.png}} NPA
• {{flagicon image|Flag of Taliban.svg}} Taliban{{sfn|Rottman|2010|p=20}}
• {{flagicon image|Flag of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army.svg|size=25px}} Ta'ang National Liberation Army
• {{flagicon image|FNL Flag.svg}} Viet Cong
• {{flagicon image|Flag of the Eastern Shan State Special Region 4 (Myanmar).png|size=25px}} National Democratic Alliance Army
• {{flagicon image|Kachin Independence Army flag.svg}} Kachin Independence Army
• {{flagicon image|United Wa State Army flag.png}} United Wa State Army

• {{cite book |last1=Herf |first1=Jeffrey |title=Undeclared Wars with Israel: East Germany and the West German Far Left, 1967–1989 |date=3 May 2016 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-08986-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5C7xCwAAQBAJ |language=en}}
• {{cite book |editor1-last=Hogg |editor1-first=Ian V. |editor1-link=Ian V. Hogg |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons, 1988-89 |date=1 January 1988 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0-7106-0857-4 |language=English}}
• {{cite book |editor1-last=Jones |editor1-first=Richard D |editor2-last=Ness |editor2-first=Leland S |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2010-2011 |date=14 January 2010 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Surrey |isbn=978-0-7106-2908-1 |edition=36th |language=en}}
• {{cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |year=2010 |title=The Rocket Propelled Grenade |series=Weapon 2 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NDa1CwAAQBAJ |isbn=978-1-84908-153-5}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.russianwarrior.com/STMMain.htm?1947weapon_RPG2.htm&1 Russian Weapons]

{{Commons category|RPG-2}}

{{Russian RPG series}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rpg-2}}

Category:Rocket-propelled grenade launchers of the Soviet Union

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1950s

Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1954