General Facts

TYPE
Rocket launcher

ORIGIN
USSR

NICKNAMES
Mukha, fly (Russian nickname)
6G12 (GRAU designation)
TKB-076

DESIGNED
Early 1970's

DESIGNER
Unknown

PRODUCTION
1972 - 1990 (USSR)
1978 - 1989 (East Germany)

PRODUCERS
USSR

Licensed production:
East Germany - VEB Mechanische Werkstätten

QUANTITY
Unknown

UNIT COST
Unknown

CHARACTERISTICS
Small size and low weight
Limited armor penetration
Limited effective range
Cannot be made safe once launcher is in firing position

Introduction

The RPG-18 Mukha is a late Cold War era disposable rocket launcher of Soviet origin. The RPG-18 was the first Soviet rocket launcher that could not be reloaded. Earlier weapons such as the RPG-7 were reusable. The improved RPG-22 was designed to replace the RPG-18.

Design

The design was inspired by the LAW that was adopted by US forces in the 1960's. The RPG-18 consists of a pre-loaded aluminum launch tube and a fiberglass outer tube which must be extended prior to firing. Once extended it cannot be retracted. A flip up ladder sight is used for aiming. Since it is a disposable rocket launcher it is operated by a single person.

Firepower

The RPG-18 fires the PG-18 HEAT rocket. The shaped charge warhead will pierce 300 mm of homogenous steel armor. Alternatively it can penetrate 1 m of brick or 0.5 m concrete. The maximum effective range is 200 meters. The practical range is quoted as 100 to 150 meters.

Users

The RPG-18 was adopted by the Soviet forces and exported in limited quantities. The RPG-18 is becoming obsolete since it is no longer produced since the early 1990's.

RPG-18

RPG-18: The RPG-18 is a lightweight disposable anti-tank rocket launcher. It was produced in only one variant that fires the PG-18 HEAT rocket.

Specifications:
RPG-18

Type	Rocket launcher
Crew	1
Caliber	64 mm
Length	705 mm folded, ? mm extended
Width	?

Height	?
Weight	2.6 kg total, 1.4 kg projectile
Sights	Mechanical, pop up frame with 200, 250 and 300 m gradation
Ammunition	PG-18 HEAT rocket
Guidance	None, free flight