| RPG-40 | |
|---|---|
 Soviet RPG-40 anti-tank grenade | |
| Type | Anti-tank grenade |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1940−1945 (Soviet Union) |
| Used by | SeeUsers |
| Wars | World War II, Vietnam War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | M. I. Puzirev[1] |
| Designed | 1940[1][2] |
| Produced | since July 1941[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 1.2 kilograms (2.6 lb)[1][2] |
| Length | 20 centimetres (7.9 in) |
| Effective firing range | 20–25 metres (22–27 yd)[3] |
| Filling | TNT[2] |
| Filling weight | 0.760 kg (1.68 lb)[1] |
Detonation mechanism | Impact fuze[4] |
TheRPG-40 was an anti-tankhand grenade developed by theSoviet Union in 1940.[1][2] A marginally effective design capable of penetrating about 20–25 millimetres (0.79–0.98 in) of steel armour, it was soon replaced by theRPG-43 and later theRPG-6, both usedshaped charges to increase penetration.
Despite becoming quickly obsolete, the grenade remained in service post-war as ananti-personnel weapon, and it was also effective against defensive positions such as bunkers or machine gun nests.
The RPG-40 is a blastanti-tank grenade, with a detonator fitted into a recess in the head of the grenade.[5] Its stabilized in flight by a cloth ribbon which unfolds after being thrown.[5][6]
Upon contact, 760 grams (1.68 lb) of explosives contained within it were detonated and produced a blast effect. This enabled about 20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) of armour to be penetrated and caused secondary damage, such asspalling, on contact with thicker armour.[1]
Due to its heavy weight, the grenade could only be thrown at very short ranges, around 20–25 metres (22–27 yd) and behind protected positions, due to the blast and secondary fragmentation effect.[3] According toJane's, the grenade had an effective fragmentation radius of 20 m (22 yd).[5]
It was also used against enemy defensive positions such as bunkers, machine gun nests, andpillboxes.[7]
The RPG-40 was distributed toRed Army units in 1940, a year before theGreat Patriotic War.[7]
In July 1941,Main Artillery Directorate issued an order to begin mass production of these grenades as soon as possible. The production was organized by engineer S. Novikov.[2]
It was effective against lightly armoured vehicles such as thePanzer I andPanzer II, but quickly became obsolete once the Germans started deploying heavier and better armoured tanks.[4]
In March 1943, RPG-40 grenades were tested on a GermanPz.Kpfw. VI "Tiger" heavy tank (which was captured by Red Army on theVolkhov Front). As a result, it was found that the RPG-40 can destroy the Tiger's tracked treads, but is no longer able to penetrate its thick side armor. After that, the RPG-40 was replaced by the RPG-43[2] and RPG-6, both designs used a shaped charge warhead to provide better penetration, but it remained in use as ananti-personnel (despite its short range) and anti-bunker weapon.[3]
In the post-war period, surplus grenades were supplied toWarsaw Pact countries. These were used by regular army units as late as 1960,[8] and remained in use with militia units as late as 1987.[5]
During theVietnam War, the Soviets suppliedNorth Vietnam with RPG-40, RPG-43, and RPG-6 anti-tank grenades.[9]
