General Facts

TYPE
Rocket launcher

ORIGIN
USSR

NICKNAMES
Tavolga (Russian nickname)

DESIGNED
Late 1980's

DESIGNER
Bazalt

PRODUCTION
1989 - present (RPG-27)
2000 - present (RShG-1)
2001 - present (RMG)

PRODUCERS
Russia - Bazalt
USSR - Bazalt

QUANTITY
Unknown

UNIT COST
Unknown

CHARACTERISTICS
Good penetration
Ability to penetrate ERA
Area effect warheads available
Large and heavy

Introduction

The RPG-27 Tavolga is a disposable rocket launcher of Soviet origin. It was developed in the late 1980's by the Bazalt design bureau to keep up with the improved armor found on new Western tanks. The RPG-27 basically is an enlarged RPG-26 that is fitted with a tandem and much larger warhead. The nickname Tavolga is Russian for meadow grass.

Design

The RPG-27 is a single shot anti-tank weapon and once used the launch tube is discarded. The launcher consists of a non-extendable fibreglass launch tube that is fitted with controls and mechanical sights. The launch tube houses a fin-stabalized warhead with tandem HEAT warhead. The smaller forward warhead is fitted to deny the effect of ERA. The RShG-1 is a variant with a thermobaric warhead and the RMG is a bunker buster.

Firepower

The RPG-27 fires a tandem HEAT warhead capable of penetrating 600 mm of homogenous steel armor behind ERA. Although the sights are gradated to 600 meters, the maximum effective range is about 200 meters. The RShG-1 is very effective against personnel in the open and in enclosed spaces. The RMG is slightly less effective, but is also able to penetrate walls and bunkers. Unlike the RPG-27 both RShG-1 and RMG are of little use against armored vehicles.

Users

The RPG-27, RShG-1 and RMG are in active use with the Russian forces. All three versions are available for export and the RPG-27 is probably in use with some Eastern European nations.

RPG-27

The RPG-27 is a disposable anti-tank rocket launcher. The RPG-27 is preloaded and the launch tube is discarded after use. Although the RPG-27 design has been adapted for other roles, in the ant-tank role it is produced in only one version that fires the PG-27 HEAT rocket.

Specifications:
RPG-27

Type	Rocket launcher
Crew	1
Caliber	105 mm
Length	1.1 m
Width	?

Height	?
Weight	8 kg total
Sights	Mechanical
Ammunition	PG-27 HEAT rocket
Guidance	None, free flight

Velocity	130 m/s at muzzle
Range
Penetration	600 to 750 mm RHA behind ERA
Remarks	Disposable launcher

RShG-1

The RShG-1 is similar to the RPG-27, but instead of a HEAT warhead a thermobaric warhead is installed. This makes the RShG-1 much more effective against infantry in the open, within buildings and unarmored vehicles. The RShG-1 is unable to penetrate thick walls and is of limited use as a bunker buster. Personnel in thick walled buildings can be engaged through the window, but such accuracy can only be achieved at shorter ranges.

Specifications:
RShG-1

Type	Rocket launcher
Crew	1
Caliber	105 mm
Length	1.135 mm
Width	?

Height	?
Weight	8.3 kg total
Sights	Mechanical, up to 600 m gradation
Ammunition	Thermobaric warhead
Guidance	None, free flight

Velocity	?
Range
Penetration	?
Remarks	Disposable launcher

RMG

The RMG was developed to engage personnel behind walls or in bunkers. The RPG-27 has good penetration, but lacks lethality against personnel. The RShG-1 lacks the ability to penetrate walls and bunkers. The RMG has a tandem warhead with a HEAT warhead for penetration and a thermobaric warhead for anti-personnel effects.