RPG-40
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The RPG-40 was an anti-tank hand grenade developed by the Soviet Union in 1940.[1][2] A marginally effective design capable of penetrating about Script error: No such module "convert". of steel armour, it was soon replaced by the RPG-43 and later the RPG-6, both used shaped charges to increase penetration.
Despite becoming quickly obsolete, the grenade remained in service post-war as an anti-personnel weapon, and it was also effective against defensive positions such as bunkers or machine gun nests.
Description
The RPG-40 is a blast anti-tank grenade, with a detonator fitted into a recess in the head of the grenade.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Its stabilized in flight by a cloth ribbon which unfolds after being thrown.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Upon contact, Script error: No such module "convert". of explosives contained within it were detonated and produced a blast effect. This enabled about Script error: No such module "convert". of armour to be penetrated and caused secondary damage, such as spalling, on contact with thicker armour.[1]
Due to its heavy weight, the grenade could only be thrown at very short ranges, around Script error: No such module "convert". and behind protected positions, due to the blast and secondary fragmentation effect.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". According to Jane's, the grenade had an effective fragmentation radius of Script error: No such module "convert"..Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
It was also used against enemy defensive positions such as bunkers, machine gun nests, and pillboxes.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
History
The RPG-40 was distributed to Red Army units in 1940, a year before the Great Patriotic War.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
In July 1941, Main Artillery Directorate issued an order to begin mass production of these grenades as soon as possible. The production was organized by engineer S. Novikov.[2]
It was effective against lightly armoured vehicles such as the Panzer I and Panzer II, but quickly became obsolete once the Germans started deploying heavier and better armoured tanks.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
In March 1943, RPG-40 grenades were tested on a German Pz.Kpfw. VI "Tiger" heavy tank (which was captured by Red Army on the Volkhov Front). As a result, it was found that the RPG-40 can destroy the Tiger's tracked treads, but is no longer able to penetrate its thick side armor. After that, the RPG-40 was replaced by the RPG-43[2] and RPG-6, both designs used a shaped charge warhead to provide better penetration, but it remained in use as an anti-personnel (despite its short range) and anti-bunker weapon.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
In the post-war period, surplus grenades were supplied to Warsaw Pact countries. These were used by regular army units as late as 1960,Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". and remained in use with militia units as late as 1987.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
During the Vietnam War, the Soviets supplied North Vietnam with RPG-40, RPG-43, and RPG-6 anti-tank grenades.Script error: No such module "Footnotes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Users
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- File:Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union[1]
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See also
References
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Bibliography
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