RPG-26
{{Short description|Anti-tank rocket launcher}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=May 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022|cs1-dates=y}}
{{infobox weapon
| name = RPG-26
| image = File:РШГ-2.webp
| image_size = 300px
| caption =
| origin = Soviet Union
| type = Disposable anti-tank rocket launcher
| is_ranged = yes
| is_explosive =
| is_artillery =
| is_missile =
| service = 1985–present
| used_by = Russian Ground Forces
| wars = {{ubl|Syrian Civil War|Russo-Ukrainian War}}
| designer = State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
| design_date = 1980s
| manufacturer = State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
| unit_cost =
| production_date = 1985–present
| number =
| variants = RShG-2
| spec_label =
| weight = {{ubl|{{convert|1.8|kg|lbs}} (projectile)|{{convert|2.9|kg|lbs}} (loaded)}}
| length = {{convert|77|cm|in}}
| part_length =
| width =
| height =
| diameter =
| crew =
| passengers =
| cartridge =
| cartridge_weight =
| caliber = {{convert|72.5|mm}}
| barrels =
| action = {{ubl|440 mm: RHA|1000 mm: Reinforced concrete|1500 mm: Brickwork|2400 mm: Log and earth}}
| rate =
| velocity = {{convert|144|m/s|abbr=on}}
| range = {{convert|250|m|yd|abbr=on}}
| max_range =
| feed =
| sights = Iron sights
}}
The RPG-26 Aglen is a disposable anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher developed by the Soviet Union. It fires a one-stage rocket with jack-knife fins, which unfold after launch. The rocket carries a {{convert|72.5|mm|adj=on}} diameter high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) single shaped charge warhead able to penetrate {{convert|440|mm}} of armour, {{convert|1|m}} of reinforced concrete or {{convert|1.5|m}} of brickwork. It has a maximum effective range of around {{convert|250|m}}. The similar sized rocket features a slightly heavier and more powerful HEAT warhead and more powerful rocket engine. The limited extension of the RPG-22 launch tube was found of little use. Thus, the RPG-26 has a rigid non-telescoping launch tube.
Variants
The RShG-2 (Russian: {{lang|ru|Реактивная Штурмовая Граната}}, Reaktivnaya Shturmovaya Granata, Rocket-propelled Assault Grenade) Aglen-2 (Аглень-2) is a RPG-26 variant with thermobaric warhead. RShG-2 is heavier than the RPG-26 at {{convert|3.5|kg}} and has a reduced direct fire range of {{convert|115|m}}. It is intended for use against infantry and structures rather than armoured vehicles.
The warhead contains {{convert|1.16|kg}} of thermobaric mixture, with an explosive yield roughly equal to that of {{convert|3|kg}} of trinitrotoluene (TNT). The solid rocket booster of the warhead was taken from the RPG-26 and the fuse taken from the TBG-7 warhead used by the RPG-7. The warhead has a stated penetration ability of {{convert|300|mm}} of concrete and {{convert|500|mm}} of brickwork.
File:Ручные реактивные гранатометы и огнеметы производства России и СССР - Russian RPG launchers.jpg
Operators
=Current operators=
- {{flag|Armenia}}{{Cite web |date=2018-08-10 |title=Российское оружие в Армении |trans-title=Russian weapons in Armenia |url=http://nvo.ng.ru/armament/2018-08-10/3_1008_subject.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328161605/https://nvo.ng.ru/armament/2018-08-10/3_1008_subject.html |archive-date=2022-03-28 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website={{lang|ru|Независимая газета}} |language=ru}}
- {{flag|Azerbaijan}}
- {{flag|Belarus}}{{cite news |last1=Mizokami |first1=Kyle |title=Belarus Invents Tank-Killing Quadcopter Drone |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a21086194/belarus-invents-tank-killing-quadcopter-drone/ |access-date=2 March 2024 |work=Popular Mechanics |date=5 June 2018}}
- {{flag|China}} - RShG-2 variant
- {{flag|Georgia}} - domestic variant PDM-1{{Cite web |title=SDC Delta: Small Arms |url=http://delta.gov.ge/file/2016/10/small-arm-a4.compressed.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129130941/http://www.delta.gov.ge/file/2016/10/small-arm-a4.compressed.pdf |archive-date=2020-01-29 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=STC Delta |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Single-shot Grenade Launcher PDM-1 |url=http://www.delta.gov.ge/en/product/pdm-1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229232513/http://www.delta.gov.ge/en/product/pdm-1/ |archive-date=2017-12-29 |access-date=2017-12-29 |website=STC Delta |language=en}}
- {{flaglist|Houthis}}{{cite journal |last1=Williams |first1=Ian |last2=Shaikh |first2=Shaan |title=Appendix: The Houthi Missile Arsenal |journal=The Missile War in Yemen |date=2020 |pages=34–52 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep24837.15 |access-date=19 August 2024 |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)}}
- {{flag|Jordan}} - 3,000 in possession{{cn|date=October 2018}}
- {{flag|Russia}}{{Cite book |last=Ferguson |first=Jonathan |url=http://armamentresearch.com/Uploads/Research%20Report%20No.%203%20-%20Raising%20Red%20Flags.pdf |title=Raising Red Flags: An Examination of Arms & Munitions in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine, 2014 |last2=Jenzen-Jones |first2=N.R. |date=November 2014 |publisher=Armament Research Services |isbn=978-0-9924624-3-7 |series=Research Report 3 |pages=26,48 |language=en |access-date=2022-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302222538/https://armamentresearch.com/Uploads/Research%20Report%20No.%203%20-%20Raising%20Red%20Flags.pdf |archive-date=2022-03-02 |url-status=live}}
- {{flag|Syria}}{{Cite web |last=Toumaj |first=Amir |date=2016-10-14 |title=Russian influence evident in Palestinian militia in Syria |url=http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/10/russian-influence-evident-in-palestinian-militia-in-syria.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328161604/https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2016/10/russian-influence-evident-in-palestinian-militia-in-syria.php |archive-date=2022-03-28 |access-date=2016-11-28 |website=Long War Journal |language=en}}
- {{flag|Transnistria}}{{refn|{{Cite web |last=Соколов |first=Борис |date=2013-03-12 |title=Malen'kaya i maloboyesposobnaya |script-title=ru:Маленькая и малобоеспособная |trans-title=Small and underpowered |url=https://vpk-news.ru/articles/14870 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031134336/https://vpk-news.ru/articles/14870 |archive-date=2020-10-31 |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Military-Industrial Courier |language=ru}}}}
- {{flag|Venezuela}} - RShG-2 variant
=Former operators=
- {{flag|Soviet Union}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
{{Commons category|RPG-26}}
- {{Cite web |title=РПГ-26 "Аглень" (Россия) |trans-title=RPG-26 "Aglen" |url=http://jollyroger666.narod.ru/granatomet/rpg26_Aglen.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328161557/http://jollyroger666.narod.ru/granatomet/rpg26_Aglen.html |archive-date=2022-03-28 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Jolly Roger |language=ru}}
- {{Cite web |last=Popenker |first=Maxim |title=RPG-26 |url=http://world.guns.ru/grenade/rus/rpg-26-e.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301012030/https://modernfirearms.net/en/grenade-launchers/russia-grenade-launchers/rpg-26-eng/ |archive-date=2022-03-01 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Modern Firearms |language=en}}
- {{Cite web |title=Средства ближнего боя: Открытое акционерное общество «Научно-производственное обьединение «Базальт» |trans-title=Melee weapons: Open Joint Stock Company "Research and Production Association Basalt" |url=http://bazalt.ru/ru/sredstva_blizhnego_boya1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219065135/http://bazalt.ru/ru/sredstva_blizhnego_boya1/ |archive-date=2021-12-19 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Bazalt |language=ru}}
- {{Cite web |title=RPG-26 Aglen |url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/1071-BB04%20-%20RPG-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125033230/https://weaponsystems.net/system/1071-BB04%20-%20RPG-26 |archive-date=2022-01-25 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Weaponsystems.net |language=en}}
{{Russian RPG series}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:RPG-26}}
Category:Cold War anti-tank rockets of the Soviet Union
Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s
{{Weapon-stub}}