| RGD-5 | |
|---|---|
 RGD-5 hand grenade with UZRGM fuze fitted | |
| Type | Hand grenade |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1954–present |
| Wars | Vietnam War Six-Day War The Troubles Yom Kippur War Soviet–Afghan War Iran–Iraq War Invasion of Kuwait Gulf War First Chechen War Kosovo War Second Chechen War Iraq War Russo-Georgian War First Libyan Civil War Syrian Civil War Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 310 g (11 oz) |
| Length | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Diameter | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Effective firing range | 15–20 m (49–66 ft) |
| Maximum firing range | 30 m (98 ft) |
| Filling | Trinitrotoluene |
| Filling weight | 110 g (3.9 oz) |
Detonation mechanism | 3.2 to 4.2 seconds.pyrotechnic delayfuse |
| Blast yield | ~350 fragments |
TheRGD-5 (Ruchnaya Granata Distantsionnaya,lit. 'hand grenade, distant') is a post–World War IISoviet anti-personnelfragmentation grenade, designed in the early 1950s. The RGD-5 was accepted into service with theSoviet Army in 1954. It was widely exported, and is still in service with many armies in the Middle East and the former Soviet bloc.
The grenade is egg-shaped without ribbing, except for a lateral ridge where the two halves of the grenade join. It weighs 310 grams (11 oz), is 117 millimetres (4.6 in) in length, and 58 millimetres (2.3 in) in diameter. The surface has a few small dimples with green or olive drab paint.
It contains a 110-gram (3.9 oz) charge ofTNT with an internal fragmentation liner that produces around 350fragments with a fatality radius of around 3 metres (9.8 ft)[1] and a wounding radius of 25 metres (82 ft).[2][3][4]
Typically, the RGD-5 uses the 3.2 to 4.2 second delay UZRG, UZRGM, or UZRGM-2fuze, a universal Russian type also used in theRG-41,RG-42, andF1 grenades or the more modern DVM-78 fuze. It is also possible to screw a MUV booby-trap firing device into the fuze well.[5]
The RGD-5 can be thrown about 35 to 45 metres (115 to 148 ft) by the average soldier and on throwing, the grenade makes a loud "crack" sound as its spoon falls out activating the fuze.
It is still manufactured in Russia with copies produced inBulgaria, China (as the Type 59) andGeorgia. Millions of RGD-5s and its clones have been manufactured over the years and although not as advanced as more modern grenades specifically designed to penetrateCRISAT standardbody armour, the RGD-5 is an effective and inexpensive weapon. A single RGD-5 grenade costs around$5 US, making it affordable.
TheAK-47 can mount a (rarely used)cup-type grenade-launcher that fires standard Soviet RGD-5 hand-grenades. The soup-can shaped launcher is screwed onto the AK-47's muzzle.[6] It is prepared for firing by inserting a standard RGD-5 hand-grenade into the launcher, removing the safety pin, and inserting a special blank cartridge into the rifle's chamber. With the butt-stock of the rifle on the ground it can be fired.
The maximum effective range is approximately 150 metres (492 ft).[7]
The URG-N is a reusable training model of the RGD-5 with a modified fuze containing a tiny explosive charge which simulates the detonation of the grenade. The body of this grenade is painted black with white markings.
Afghanistan[9][10]
Armenia[11]
Bulgaria[12]
China − Produced locally as the Type 59 grenade.[13]
Georgia[14]
Ethiopia[15]
Iraq[16]
North Korea[17]
Palestine[18]
Poland − Produced locally with minor modifications as theRGO-88.[19][20]
Romania[21]
Russia[22]
Syria[23]
Ukraine − Both RGD-5 and locally produced copies used.[24][8]
Vietnam[25]
East Germany[12]
Panama − Used by thePanama Defense Forces[26]
Soviet Union[27]_1.jpg)
On 10 May 2005,Vladimir Arutyunian, a Georgian citizen and ethnicArmenian, waited for theUnited StatesPresident George W. Bush and Georgian PresidentMikheil Saakashvili to speak in Tbilisi's centralLiberty Square. When Bush began speaking, Arutyunian threw an RGD-5 hand grenade wrapped in a red plaid handkerchief toward the podium where Bush stood as he addressed the crowd. The grenade landed 18.6 metres (61 ft) from the podium, near where Saakashvili, his wifeSandra Roelofs,Laura Bush, and other officials were seated.[28]
The grenade failed to detonate. Although original reports indicated that the grenade was not live, it was later revealed that it was.[29] After Arutyunian pulled the pin and threw the grenade, it hit a girl, cushioning its impact. The red handkerchief remained wrapped around the grenade, and it prevented the striker lever from releasing. A Georgian security officer quickly removed the grenade, and Arutyunian disappeared, but was later arrested.[28][30]
