RKG-3 is a series of Soviet anti-tank hand grenades. It superseded the RPG-43, RPG-40 and RPG-6 series of grenades. It entered service in 1950, and was still being used by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan into the 2000s and 2010s, against the vehicles of NATO forces.
RKG stands for Ruchnaya Kumulyativnaya Granata ("handheld shaped-charge grenade"). The grenade has an odd strap-like lever (or "spoon") that covers the base of the handle and runs up each side of the handle. When the pin is pulled, the "spoon" falls away, and when the grenade is thrown a spring deploys a four-panelled drogue parachute. This parachute stabilizes the grenade in flight and ensures that the grenade strikes the target at a 90 degree angle, maximising the effect of the shaped charge. Realistic accurate throw ranges are within 15 to 25 metres (50 to 80 ft). The lethality radius is within two metres (6.6 ft) due to concussion and fragmentation. The casualty radius is within 20 metres (66 ft) and the danger space from fragmentation is within 50 metres (160 ft).
The fuze in the handle activates the grenade. When the parachute deploys, its ejection throws a weight to the rear of the handle and disables the safety. When it impacts or stops, inertia causes the weight to fly forward and hit the spring-loaded firing pin, which activates the primer detonator in the base. This sets off the booster charge in the base of the shaped charge, detonating and enhancing the main charge. The sensitive fuze guarantees that the grenade will detonate if it impacts any target.
Armour penetration depends on the model. The original RKG-3 used a basic shaped charge with a steel liner and could penetrate 125 millimetres (5 in) against Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA). The RKG-3M used a copper-lined shaped-charge warhead and had a penetration of 165 mm; the RKG-3T had an improved copper liner that had a penetration of 170 mm. The RKG-3EM has a larger warhead and boasts a penetration of 220 millimetres (8.7 in).
History
The RKG-3 was adopted into service in 1950. A few years later it was replaced by the improved RKG-3M and enhanced RKG-3T. Thicker top armor caused the Soviets to develop the larger RKG-3EM. In the early 1970s the Soviet Army replaced this grenade with the RPG-18, but many other countries and guerrilla movements are still using the RKG-3 in their armed forces. It was used extensively during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
Ulrike Meinhof was injured by an RKG-3 while training with the PLO in a Syrian training camp.
The grenade has also been seen in use by the Aerorozvidka unit of the Ukrainian military in the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine. PJSC Mayak modifies the grenade[5] into the RKG 1600 by changing the fuze timing and adding 3D printed fins to stabilise its trajectory when dropped from a commercial drone.[6] Footage of these being used by Ukrainian forces against Russian forces has been published officially.[7][8] The estimated total cost is "less than $100".[9]
Models
RKG-3Penetration : 125 mm RHA. Gross Weight: 1.07 kg. (2.35 lbs.)
RKG-3M (-Modernizirovannaya, "Improved") Model with liner changed from steel to copper. Penetration : 165 mm RHA. Gross Weight: 1.1 kg. (2.42 lbs.) Copies manufactured by East Germany (RKG-3Cu).
RKG-3T Model with improved copper liner. Penetration: 170 mm RHA
RKG-3EM Model with larger warhead. Penetration: 220 mm RHA Gross Weight: 1.7 kg. (3.74 lbs.)
The RKG-1600 bombing test via R18 drone in "Shyrokyi Lan" range, Ukraine, 2020
RKG-1600 Ukrainian adaptation with 3D printed stabilisation fins and modified fuzing for dropping from commercial drones.[10]
UPG-8 (Uechebnaya Protivotankovaya Granata, "Training Anti-Tank Grenade"). Black body with white markings. The reusable warhead contains a reloadable black powder charge that mostly produces black smoke that is vented through holes in the heavy-gauge sheet-metal. A new fuze and parachute can be quickly reloaded in the handle after use by using special armorer tools.
M79 Copy of the RKG-3EM by Yugoimport SDPR. Copies are now manufactured by Serbia (M79) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (RKB-M79). Filling: 400g (0.88 lbs.) Hexolite, Penetration: 220 mm RHA, Gross Weight: 1.1 kg. (2.42 lbs.).
Type F-3 Chinese licensed production of the original Soviet RKG-3 with improvements. Penetration: 130 to 170 mm RHA Gross Weight: 1.07 kg. (2.35 lbs.)
^Be the Hunter, not The Hunted 2017-01-25 at the Wayback Machine
^Ismay, John. . The New York Times. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
^Hernandez, Chris (19 September 2018). . Breach Bang Clear. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
^ ["Mayak" and "Aerorozvidka" plants tested an attack drone at the exercises of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (photos)]. defence-ua.com (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
^. cat-uxo.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
^. Military Leak. 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 19 April 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2022 – via YouTube.
^ChrisO [@ChrisO_wiki] (11 May 2022). "DRONES: Ukraine has been using octocopters (like the one pictured) to drop RKG-1600 grenades - anti-tank grenades of a 1950s design converted into aerial bombs by fitting 3D-printed fins. They can penetrate 200mm of armour, more than enough to destroy a tank. /6 t.co/i7XV5oQNhs" (Tweet). from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022 – via Twitter.
^. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
^Hambling, David. . Forbes. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
Jones, Richard D. (2005). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005-2006. Jane's Information Group.
External links
RKG-3 Inert Replica
May 14, 2023
anti, tank, grenade, series, soviet, anti, tank, hand, grenades, superseded, series, grenades, entered, service, 1950, still, being, used, insurgents, iraq, afghanistan, into, 2000s, 2010s, against, vehicles, nato, forces, typehand, grenadeplace, originsoviet,. RKG 3 is a series of Soviet anti tank hand grenades It superseded the RPG 43 RPG 40 and RPG 6 series of grenades It entered service in 1950 and was still being used by insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan into the 2000s and 2010s against the vehicles of NATO forces RKG 3 anti tank grenadeTypeHand grenadePlace of originSoviet UnionService historyIn service1950 presentWarsYom Kippur WarIraq WarRusso Ukrainian War 2022 Russian invasion of UkraineSpecificationsMass1 07 kgLength362 mmEffective firing range15 20 mFillingTNT RDX with a steel lined shaped charge with 220 mm penetration of RHA Filling weight0 567 kg 1 25 lbs DetonationmechanismImpact fuseRKG 3E grenades including one grenade cutaway in DOSAAF Museum Minsk Contents 1 Design 2 History 3 Models 4 See also 5 References 5 1 Notes 5 2 Bibliography 6 External linksDesign EditRKG stands for Ruchnaya Kumulyativnaya Granata handheld shaped charge grenade The grenade has an odd strap like lever or spoon that covers the base of the handle and runs up each side of the handle When the pin is pulled the spoon falls away and when the grenade is thrown a spring deploys a four panelled drogue parachute This parachute stabilizes the grenade in flight and ensures that the grenade strikes the target at a 90 degree angle maximising the effect of the shaped charge Realistic accurate throw ranges are within 15 to 25 metres 50 to 80 ft The lethality radius is within two metres 6 6 ft due to concussion and fragmentation The casualty radius is within 20 metres 66 ft and the danger space from fragmentation is within 50 metres 160 ft The fuze in the handle activates the grenade When the parachute deploys its ejection throws a weight to the rear of the handle and disables the safety When it impacts or stops inertia causes the weight to fly forward and hit the spring loaded firing pin which activates the primer detonator in the base This sets off the booster charge in the base of the shaped charge detonating and enhancing the main charge The sensitive fuze guarantees that the grenade will detonate if it impacts any target Armour penetration depends on the model The original RKG 3 used a basic shaped charge with a steel liner and could penetrate 125 millimetres 5 in against Rolled Homogeneous Armor RHA The RKG 3M used a copper lined shaped charge warhead and had a penetration of 165 mm the RKG 3T had an improved copper liner that had a penetration of 170 mm The RKG 3EM has a larger warhead and boasts a penetration of 220 millimetres 8 7 in History EditThe RKG 3 was adopted into service in 1950 A few years later it was replaced by the improved RKG 3M and enhanced RKG 3T Thicker top armor caused the Soviets to develop the larger RKG 3EM In the early 1970s the Soviet Army replaced this grenade with the RPG 18 but many other countries and guerrilla movements are still using the RKG 3 in their armed forces It was used extensively during the 1973 Yom Kippur War Ulrike Meinhof was injured by an RKG 3 while training with the PLO in a Syrian training camp RKG 3 grenades were widely used by Iraqi insurgents against American Humvees 1 2 Strykers and MRAPs 3 4 The grenade has also been seen in use by the Aerorozvidka unit of the Ukrainian military in the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine PJSC Mayak modifies the grenade 5 into the RKG 1600 by changing the fuze timing and adding 3D printed fins to stabilise its trajectory when dropped from a commercial drone 6 Footage of these being used by Ukrainian forces against Russian forces has been published officially 7 8 The estimated total cost is less than 100 9 Models EditRKG 3 Penetration 125 mm RHA Gross Weight 1 07 kg 2 35 lbs RKG 3M Modernizirovannaya Improved Model with liner changed from steel to copper Penetration 165 mm RHA Gross Weight 1 1 kg 2 42 lbs Copies manufactured by East Germany RKG 3Cu RKG 3T Model with improved copper liner Penetration 170 mm RHA RKG 3EM Model with larger warhead Penetration 220 mm RHA Gross Weight 1 7 kg 3 74 lbs The RKG 1600 bombing test via R18 drone in Shyrokyi Lan range Ukraine 2020 RKG 1600 Ukrainian adaptation with 3D printed stabilisation fins and modified fuzing for dropping from commercial drones 10 UPG 8 Uechebnaya Protivotankovaya Granata Training Anti Tank Grenade Black body with white markings The reusable warhead contains a reloadable black powder charge that mostly produces black smoke that is vented through holes in the heavy gauge sheet metal A new fuze and parachute can be quickly reloaded in the handle after use by using special armorer tools M79 Copy of the RKG 3EM by Yugoimport SDPR Copies are now manufactured by Serbia M79 and Bosnia Herzegovina RKB M79 Filling 400g 0 88 lbs Hexolite Penetration 220 mm RHA Gross Weight 1 1 kg 2 42 lbs Type F 3 Chinese licensed production of the original Soviet RKG 3 with improvements Penetration 130 to 170 mm RHA Gross Weight 1 07 kg 2 35 lbs See also EditList of Russian weaponry List of 3D printed weapons and partsReferences EditNotes Edit Video of RKG 3 Near Miss on Stryker Be the Hunter not The Hunted Archived 2017 01 25 at the Wayback Machine Ismay John Insight Into How Insurgents Fought in Iraq The New York Times Archived from the original on 12 April 2023 Retrieved 7 April 2017 Hernandez Chris 19 September 2018 The Russki RKG 3 Anti Tank Hammer WCW Breach Bang Clear Archived from the original on 12 June 2022 Retrieved 13 April 2023 Zavod Mayak ta Aerorozvidka viprobuvali udarnij dron na navchannyah ZSU foto Mayak and Aerorozvidka plants tested an attack drone at the exercises of the Armed Forces of Ukraine photos defence ua com in Ukrainian Archived from the original on 31 March 2023 Retrieved 3 April 2022 CAT UXO RKG 1600 cat uxo com Archived from the original on 7 October 2022 Retrieved 15 April 2022 Ukrainian Forces Showed Their RKG 1600 Drone dropped Munition Attacks on Russian Armored Vehicle Military Leak 17 March 2022 Archived from the original on 19 April 2023 Retrieved 15 May 2022 via YouTube ChrisO ChrisO wiki 11 May 2022 DRONES Ukraine has been using octocopters like the one pictured to drop RKG 1600 grenades anti tank grenades of a 1950s design converted into aerial bombs by fitting 3D printed fins They can penetrate 200mm of armour more than enough to destroy a tank 6 t co i7XV5oQNhs Tweet Archived from the original on 11 May 2022 Retrieved 15 May 2022 via Twitter How Ukraine Uses Obsolete Soviet Grenades To Destroy Russian Tanks From Above Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty Archived from the original on 31 March 2023 Retrieved 14 May 2022 Hambling David How Ukraine Perfected The Small Anti Tank Drone Forbes Archived from the original on 13 April 2023 Retrieved 13 April 2023 Bibliography Edit Hogg Ian V 1991 Jane s Infantry Weapons 1991 92 Jane s Information Group ISBN 0 7106 0963 9 Jones Richard D 2005 Jane s Infantry Weapons 2005 2006 Jane s Information Group External links EditRKG 3 Inert Replica Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title RKG 3 anti tank grenade amp oldid 1151092879, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
