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Rocket-propelled grenade facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Rpg-7
An RPG 7

A rocket-propelled grenade or an RPG is the name for any kind of weapon, held on the shoulder that fires rockets that have with an explosive warhead. These warheads are attached to a rocket motor and the rocket has fins which help it to fly straight. Some types of RPG are reloadable, while others are used only once and then thrown away. RPGs, with the exception of self-contained versions, are loaded from the muzzle, that is the front part.

RPGs with High explosive anti-tank warheads are very effective against armored vehicles such as armored personnel carriers (APCs). They can also be used against tanks, as long as the shooter targets a weak part of the tank, such as the tracks or the top door of the turret.

In general, the front armour on a tank is too thick to be penetrated by an RPG warhead. In some cases, teams attacking tanks with RPGs will have multiple RPG users fire at the same tank, which may penetrate the armour. Insurgents have sometimes successfully used RPGs to shoot at helicopters.

Images for kids

  • RPG-7 detached

    A rocket-propelled grenade (left) and RPG-7 launcher. For use, the thinner cylinder part of the rocket-propelled grenade is inserted into the muzzle of the launcher.

  • Ручные реактивные гранатометы и огнеметы производства России и СССР - Russian RPG launchers

    Soviet/Russian rocket launchers. From top to bottom: RPO-A Shmel, RPG-22, RPG-26, RPG-18.

  • Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-672-7634-13, Russland, Luftwaffensoldat mit Panzerabwehrwaffe

    A Luftwaffe soldier using a Faustpatrone, a forerunner of modern-day RPGs

  • Nvarpgteam

    A North Vietnamese soldier using a Soviet made RPG-2

  • Obus 501556 fh000021

    Sectioned high-explosive anti-tank round with the inner shaped charge visible

  • CumulativeHead

    A diagram of a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead of an RPG rocket (the propellant section is not shown) 1: Aerodynamic cover; 2: Air-filled cavity; 3: Conical liner; 4: Detonator; 5: Explosive; 6: Piezo-electric trigger

  • Mongolian soldier with RPG in 2005

    A Mongolian soldier with an RPG launcher. Note that it is not loaded with a rocket/warhead.

  • Krtsanisi National Training Center, Georgia (5)

    Georgian soldiers prepare to fire a rocket propelled grenade.

  • Rebel in northern Central African Republic 04

    Rebel in northern Central African Republic

  • RPG soldier and squad

    A Bulgarian soldier aims an RPG.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Granada propulsada por cohete para niños

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