RPG-26
| RPG-26 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Disposable anti-tank rocket launcher |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1985–present |
| Used by | Russian Ground Forces |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt |
| Designed | 1980s |
| Manufacturer | State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt |
| Produced | 1985–present |
| Variants | RShG-2 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass |
|
| Length | 77 centimetres (30 in) |
| Caliber | 72.5 millimetres (2.85 in) |
| Action |
|
| Muzzle velocity | 144 m/s (470 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 250 m (270 yd) |
| 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 72.5-millimetre (2.85 in) diameter high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) single shaped charge warhead able to penetrate 440 millimetres (17 in) of armour, 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) of reinforced concrete or 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) of brickwork. It has a maximum effective range of around 250 metres (820 ft). 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
[edit]The RShG-2 (Russian: 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 3.5 kilograms (7.7 lb) and has a reduced direct fire range of 115 metres (377 ft). It is intended for use against infantry and structures rather than armoured vehicles.
The warhead contains 1.16 kilograms (2.6 lb) of thermobaric mixture, with an explosive yield roughly equal to that of 3 kilograms (6.6 lb) 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 300 millimetres (12 in) of concrete and 500 millimetres (20 in) of brickwork.
Operators
[edit]Current operators
[edit]
Armenia[1]
Azerbaijan
Belarus[2]
China - RShG-2 variant
Georgia - domestic variant PDM-1[3][4]
Houthis[5]
Jordan - 3,000 in possession[citation needed]
Russia[6]
Syria[7]
Transnistria[8]
Venezuela - RShG-2 variant
Former operators
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Российское оружие в Армении" [Russian weapons in Armenia]. Независимая газета (in Russian). 2018-08-10. Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
- ^ Mizokami, Kyle (2018-06-05). "Belarus Invents Tank-Killing Quadcopter Drone". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
- ^ "SDC Delta: Small Arms" (PDF). STC Delta. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-01-29. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
- ^ "Single-shot Grenade Launcher PDM-1". STC Delta. Archived from the original on 2017-12-29. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
- ^ Williams, Ian; Shaikh, Shaan (2020). "Appendix: The Houthi Missile Arsenal". The Missile War in Yemen. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): 34–52. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
- ^ Ferguson, Jonathan; Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (November 2014). Raising Red Flags: An Examination of Arms & Munitions in the Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine, 2014 (PDF). Research Report 3. Armament Research Services. pp. 26, 48. ISBN 978-0-9924624-3-7. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-03-02. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
- ^ Toumaj, Amir (2016-10-14). "Russian influence evident in Palestinian militia in Syria". Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
- ^ Соколов, Борис (2013-03-12). "Malen'kaya i maloboyesposobnaya" Маленькая и малобоеспособная [Small and underpowered]. Military-Industrial Courier (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
Further reading
[edit]
- "РПГ-26 "Аглень" (Россия)" [RPG-26 "Aglen"]. Jolly Roger (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
- Popenker, Maxim. "RPG-26". Modern Firearms. Archived from the original on 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
- "Средства ближнего боя: Открытое акционерное общество «Научно-производственное обьединение «Базальт»" [Melee weapons: Open Joint Stock Company "Research and Production Association Basalt"]. Bazalt (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2021-12-19. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
- "RPG-26 Aglen". Weaponsystems.net. Archived from the original on 2022-01-25. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
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