Vampire anti-tank grenade launcher. "Vampire" that frightened the Israeli army

Reusable hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher RPG-29 "Vampire" designed to fight tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery mounts and other armored targets of the enemy, including those equipped with dynamic protection, to suppress firing points and manpower in buildings and shelters. Following the development of a 105-mm round for the RPG-7V1, a new anti-tank grenade launcher system was created with a PG-29V round with the same tandem warhead and a reusable grenade launcher RPG-29 "Vampire". It is equipped with a PG-29V rocket-propelled grenade with a tandem HEAT warhead, mechanical, optical and night sights, and a folding bipod that facilitates aiming when firing prone. The PG-29V shot is a tandem ammunition with two HEAT warheads located one after the other.

Scheme RPG-29 "Vampire" became a return to old ideas at a new stage - a detachable smooth barrel with a trigger mechanism, a clutch and a contact ring at the junction, a contact box in the breech, an adjustable (folding) bipod behind the pistol grip. At the same time, a standard grenade launcher optical or night sight, a trigger mechanism from an RPG-16 with an induction pulse generator were used in the design. There is also a mechanical folding sight. When disassembled, the grenade launcher fits into a pack carried by one person.

The powder charge of the engine burns out within the length of the barrel. A stabilizer with eight folding feathers is mounted at the rear of the grenade. It is assumed that the armor penetration of the grenade can be increased to 10-12 calibers, thereby ensuring the guaranteed defeat of the most modern, as well as the expected main battle tanks. grenade launcher RPG-29 "Vampire" turned out to be somewhat more massive than the RPG-7V1, but at the same time, the firing range was more than doubled, the work of the calculation in a camouflaged position was somewhat simplified.

The front warhead with a caliber of 64 mm provides penetration of protective screens and dynamic armor, the main one, with a caliber of 105 mm, directly affects the armor of a combat vehicle. Grenade flight stabilization is provided by eight stabilizer blades, which open after the grenade takes off under the action of springs and oncoming air flow. To monitor the flight of the grenade and correct the fire, the grenade has a tracer. Armor penetration 650 mm. In addition, the TBG-29V thermobaric shot can be used to combat enemy manpower.

During the shot, the powder charge completely burns out within the length of the grenade launcher, which eliminates the impact of combustion products on the shooter and unmasking his position. Combat crew - two people. The combat rate of fire of a grenade launcher when it is served by two calculation numbers - a grenade launcher and his assistant - reaches 4 rounds per minute. The grenade launcher is equipped with a PGO-7V3 optical sight and a night vision device.

The main sight is a 1P38 optical sight with a field of view of 13? and a magnification of 2.7x. grenade launcher RPG-29 "Vampire" can be equipped with a night sight 1PN51-2. In this case, it has the designation RPG-29N. For ease of transportation, the grenade launcher is divided into two parts, which are placed in one pack and carried by one person.

Caliber, mm 105
Weight, kg 11.5
Length, mm 1000 (1850)

Combat characteristics of the RPG-29 Vampire
Direct shot range, m 500
Sighting range, m 450
Armor penetration, mm
(at an angle of 60° to the normal) 650
Grenade weight, kg 4.5
The initial speed of the grenade, m / s 130

RPG-29 "Vampire" (TKB-0175, GRAU index - 6G20) - Soviet hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher. it modern weapons motorized rifle squad to destroy all types of modern tanks, armored and unarmored vehicles, as well as manpower in various types of fortifications.

Video RPG-29 Vampire

In the seventies and eighties of the last century, the Soviet defense industry created several types of rocket-propelled anti-tank grenades with different characteristics. This weapon allowed the infantry to effectively deal with enemy armored vehicles, but had a serious drawback. Rocket-propelled anti-tank grenades were disposable, which had a corresponding effect on their use. As for hand-held rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade launchers, for several decades the newest system of this class in the ground forces was the RPG-7, and the Airborne Forces had the RPG-16 grenade launcher. Over time, these weapons became obsolete, which is why the development of new hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers began.

In the mid-eighties, the Bazalt State Research and Production Enterprise, which was engaged in the creation of anti-tank weapons for the infantry, began developing the RPG-29 Vampire project. Work on the project, named after the bat, was headed by V.S. Tokarev. As part of the new project, it was supposed to create an anti-tank grenade launcher capable of hitting modern and promising tanks of a potential enemy. The main task of the designers was to create a rocket-propelled grenade that could effectively destroy armored vehicles with dynamic protection systems. The solution to this problem made it possible to significantly increase the firepower of rifle units armed with a new grenade launcher.

The RPG-29 "Vampire" grenade launcher is a launcher with sights and fire control devices installed on it. In combat position, the grenade launcher has a length of 1.85 meters. For the convenience of the grenade launcher, the weapon is collapsible. In the stowed position, the Vampire grenade launcher is divided into two blocks, connected using a special clutch. In addition, for ease of carrying, the sight is removed from the grenade launcher. When disassembled, the RPG-29 grenade launcher has a length of no more than 1 meter. The total weight of the assembled weapon is 11.5 kg, after installing the 1P38 sight, the weapon becomes heavier by about 0.6 kg.

In the middle part of the grenade launcher, on its lower surface, there is a trigger mechanism with a fire control handle and a trigger. On the upper surface of the launcher there are auxiliary sights - a rear sight and a front sight. If necessary, they can be used instead of a regular sight. When disassembling the grenade launcher, the trigger and sight remain on the "front" half of the grenade launcher. On the "back" part there is a folding bipod.

The standard sighting device of the RPG-29 "Vampire" grenade launcher is the 1P38 optical sight. The device with a field of view 13° wide and a magnification of 2.7x makes it possible to aim weapons at a distance of up to 500 meters when firing. At the request of the customer, the Vampire anti-tank grenade launcher can be equipped with a 1PN51-2 night sight. In this case, the weapon receives an augmented RPG-29N index.
The RPG-29 grenade launcher uses a PG-29V rocket-propelled grenade as ammunition. An interesting fact is that some features of this shot had a serious impact on the appearance of the grenade launcher. For example, the long barrel length (1.85 m) is directly related to the engine used on the grenade.

The 105 mm PG-29V rocket-propelled grenade was created taking into account the need to hit targets equipped with dynamic protection systems. For this reason, the ammunition carries a tandem HEAT warhead. The leading shaped charge, located in front of the grenade, when it hits the target, should initiate an explosion of the dynamic protection unit. The latter spends its energy on the destruction of the cumulative jet of the leading charge. Thus, in front of the main charge of the warhead, the unprotected armor of the attacked vehicle remains. According to reports, the warhead of the PG-29V grenade is capable of penetrating more than 600 mm of homogeneous armor covered with dynamic protection.

There is a jet engine in the tail of the grenade. An interesting feature ammunition PG-29V, which distinguishes it from other shots for hand-held anti-tank systems of domestic development, is the absence of a propellant charge. To accelerate the grenade to the required speed, only a jet engine is used. The solid propellant charge is ignited using an electrical system: the grenade launcher trigger mechanism and the ammunition igniter are connected through a slip ring in the tail of the grenade.

The project provides for the manufacture of the engine from fiberglass or steel. The material of the engine case directly affects the characteristics of the grenade: ammunition with a fiberglass part leaves the barrel at a speed of up to 255 m / s, with a steel one - up to 230 m / s. In flight, the grenade is stabilized by rotation, for which a folding stabilizer with 8 blades is installed in its tail section. The grenade is also equipped with a tracer to track its flight.
The charge of pyroxylin powder, which accelerates the grenade in the barrel, is designed in such a way that its combustion is completed before the ammunition leaves the grenade launcher. Such measures make it possible to reduce the effect of powder gases on the shooter, simplify the design of the ammunition and grenade launcher, and also simplify aiming, since there is no active site in the flight of the PG-29V grenade.

The calculation of the RPG-29 "Vampire" grenade launcher consists of two people. For carrying weapons and ammunition, the calculation has two packs-knapsacks. In one of them, a grenade launcher is carried, in the other - 3 grenades. An experienced crew can fire at a rate of up to 4 rounds per minute. The RPG-29 "Vampire" anti-tank rocket launcher and the PG-29V shot were put into service in 1989. However, as far as is known, mass production of these weapons has not yet begun. Because of this, even a quarter of a century after the adoption of the new system into service, the main rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade launcher remains the time-tested RPG-7.

In 1993, the Vampire grenade launcher was first demonstrated to the foreign public. During the first exhibition of weapons IDEX-1993 in Abu Dhabi (UAE), demonstrative firing took place, during which the new domestic development made a great impression on potential customers. As a conditional target for the grenade launcher in these firings, an armor plate 300 mm thick was used, installed at an angle of 60 ° to the vertical and additionally covered with a dynamic protection unit. The RPG-29 grenade launcher successfully overcame dynamic protection and pierced the armor, making a through hole about 600 mm deep in it.

At the beginning of the 2000s, a project for the modernization of the RPG-29 Vampire grenade launcher appeared, designed to improve its performance. Central Design Bureau "Tochpribor", engaged in the development of various electronic systems, presented the 2Ts35 optical-electronic grenade launcher. This device allows you to detect and identify enemy tanks at a distance of about 1000 meters and calculate the necessary corrections for firing. The 2Ts35 sight is equipped with a laser rangefinder capable of measuring range within 1200 meters. The RPG-29 mounted on the machine and equipped with a 2Ts35 sight can supplement or, under certain conditions, replace anti-tank missile systems with guided munitions.

The production and supply of the RPG-29 "Vampire" grenade launcher and ammunition for it raise certain questions. As far as is known, the domestic armed forces have not received a single grenade launcher of the new model. However, there is information about the supply of these weapons to foreign countries. For example, in the middle of the last decade, the Israeli media reported that a large part of Israeli armored vehicles participating in the Second Lebanon War (2006) was damaged or destroyed using RPG-29 grenade launchers. A number of such grenade launchers were captured by Israel as trophies during the fighting.

New assumptions about possible export deliveries of Vampire grenade launchers appeared in late 2012 and early 2013. The reason for them was video recordings of the combat use of grenade launchers by militants during the civil war in Syria. From this we can conclude that the Russian defense industry produced a certain number of RPG-29 grenade launchers by order of foreign states. Judging by the conflicts in which these weapons were used, they were supplied to Iraq, Iran or Syria. There is no exact information on this.

A number of RPG-29 "Vampire" grenade launchers are in possession of the Mexican armed forces, as evidenced by photographs from military parades. At similar events several years ago, fighters with Russian grenade launchers and ammunition for them were seen. The origin of this weapon also raises questions. It is still unknown whether Mexico purchased Russian weapons directly from the manufacturer or whether the grenade launchers were bought from a third country, which, in turn, received them from Russia. Regardless of these facts, the RPG-29 Vampire anti-tank rocket launcher, although adopted by Russian army, has not yet entered the army. For some reasons that are not entirely clear, promising weapons were adopted only on paper, which is why the fighters have to use old RPG-7 grenade launchers.

Modifications

RPG-29 (1989) - standard variant of RPG-29 with 1P38 optical sight.

RPG-29N - RPG-29 variant with 1PN51-2 night sight.

RPG-29 easel (2003) - variant of the RPG-29 with a machine tool and a POO 2Ts35 optoelectronic sight. Not adopted by the Russian Armed Forces as of 2008.

RPG-29 easel (2003) - RPG-29 variant with machine tool and KPUO optical-electronic sight. Not adopted by the Russian Armed Forces as of 2008.

Status: USSR / Russia

1989 - put into service with the cumulative grenade PG-29V.

2010 - is in service. There was information that the RPG-29 was never produced for the Armed Forces of the USSR and Russia, although it was put into service.

Export

Only one batch of RPG-29s was produced and exported, presumably to either Syria or Iraq or Iran. Later, probably, the production of RPGs was also carried out for export deliveries.

Mexico- 2007 - there are a number of RPG-29s with PG-29V rounds in service. Perhaps the grenade launchers were supplied from a third country. It is also possible that a batch of RPG-29s was produced specifically for Mexico. There is unconfirmed information about the production of RPG-29 in Mexico under license.

Lebanon- in 2006, RPG-29 grenade launchers were effectively used against Israeli Merkava tanks by Hezbollah militants. Russia denied the supply of weapons to the movement, but according to indirect evidence, it is likely that the weapons were received by the militants from Syria.

Syria- until 2006, RPG-29 deliveries may have taken place.

The performance characteristics of the RPG-29 Vampire

Caliber RPG-29

RPG-29 weight

RPG-29 dimensions

Length, mm: 1000 (1850)

RPG-29 firing range

Direct shot range: 300 meters
- Sighting range: 300 meters (moving), 500 meters (stationary targets)

I continue the story about the most modern infantry anti-tank weapons, most of which are used by Syrian militants today. The first article was dedicated to the honored veteran - recoilless gun SPG-9. This article will tell a story about the heir to the famous RPG-7.

Hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher (RPG). Developed by GNPP "Basalt" (GSKB-47), general designer - A.N. Obukhov, designer - V.S. Tokarev and TsKIB SOO, designers V.I. Matveev, V.I. Zaitsev in 1983-1989 . under the index TKB-0175 based on the RPG-16. The development of a grenade launcher was carried out for a new generation of tandem cumulative shots (grenades) for RPGs (GNPP "Basalt"). Fiberglass solid propellant rocket motors for one of the types of shots were mastered in mass production in 1986 (developer - NPO "Altai", Biysk). A grenade launcher with a tandem shot (grenade) PG-29V was put into service in 1989. The manufacturer, the Molot Machine-Building Plant, produced an experimental batch of grenade launchers for export. Serial production for the Armed Forces of the USSR and Russia was not carried out (source - E.I. Dubrovin, Deputy General Director of the State Research and Production Enterprise "Basalt"). For the first time, the grenade launcher was shown to the media at the IDEX-93 arms exhibition in Abu Dhabi in 1993.

guidance- backup mechanical sight, regular optical sight 1P38 (2.7 X, field of view - 13 degrees), optional night sight 1PN51-2 or 1PN110 (RPG-29N model). The stabilization of the ammunition in flight is carried out by rotation, due to the stabilizers. In 2003, GNPP "Basalt" tested a version of a grenade launcher with a machine tool and an optical-electronic sight 2Ts35 (PUO - day fire control device with a laser rangefinder) and KPUO (combined day-night fire control device with a laser rangefinder).
TTX PUO and KPUO:
Weight of the FPU - 3 kg
Magnification - 3X
Range of detection and recognition of the target type "tank" - 1000 m
The range of input range to the target - 0-800 m
The range of input side wind speed - 0-12 m/s
Target range measurement range - 100-1200 m

Starting device- the grenade launcher consists of two collapsible parts, a firing mechanism with a handle, a folding bipod, a mechanical sight and a standard 1P38 optical sight. Shots (grenades) - caliber. As of 2006, a variant of a grenade launcher with a machine tool is presented (a kind of analogue of the SPG-9). The grenade launcher is loaded from the breech.
Machine weight - 8 kg
TTX grenade launcher:
Grenade launcher length:
- 1000 mm (stowed position)
- 1850 mm (combat position)
Barrel caliber - 105.2 mm
Weight of grenade launcher:
- 11.5 kg (not equipped, without optical sight)
- 12.1 kg (not equipped, with an optical sight)
- 13.6 kg (not equipped, with a night sight)
- 18.8 kg (in combat position)
- 20 kg (with machine, without optical-electronic sight)
Maximum range - 700 m
Aiming range:
- 500 m
- 600 m (at night with optoelectronic sight)
- 700 m (during the day with an optical-electronic sight)
Direct shot range - 300 m
Grenade initial speed:
- 230 m / s (fiberglass grenade combustion chamber)
- 255 m / s (steel grenade combustion chamber)
- 130 m/s (according to other data)
Accuracy - 0.4 m
Chance to hit at direct range - 50%
Combat rate of fire - up to 4 rds / min
The resource of the grenade launcher is more than 300 rds.
operating temperature - from -50 to +50 degrees C

Warhead types:
A shot (grenade) of the PG-29V type is reactive - i.e. Solid propellant grenades only work in the barrel of an RPG. Grenade stabilization in flight is carried out by 8 folding stabilizers. Shots (grenades) are made with two types of combustion chambers - fiberglass and steel. Fiberglass solid propellant rocket engines were developed by NPO "Altai" (Biysk), mastering the technology of mass production - 1986

The RPG-29 Vampire anti-tank rocket launcher was developed at TsKIB SOO from 1983 to 1989 under the KTB-0175 index. Adopted in 1989 with the caliber round PG-29V.

The RPG-29 "Vampire" grenade launcher is a weapon of the motorized rifle squad, designed to destroy all types of modern tanks, armored and unarmored vehicles, as well as manpower in various types of fortifications.

The RPG-29 is a development of such previous systems as the RPG-16 and RPG-7, but differs from them not only in its large size, but also in a number of design features.

From the RPG-7, the new grenade launcher inherited the tandem warhead from the PG-7VR grenade, with two HEAT warheads located one after the other. The front warhead of a smaller size is designed to destroy a block of dynamic protection (reactive armor) or an anti-cumulative screen, after which a more powerful rear warhead already directly affects the tank hull.

From the RPG-16, a system with a detachable caliber smooth barrel for transportation, as well as a trigger mechanism with electronic ignition of the grenade engine, was inherited.

In order to achieve maximum convenience during transportation and use, the RPG-29 is divided into two parts. In the stowed position, the parts are placed in a special pack for carrying by one person. When brought into combat position, both parts are connected through a special connector.

The combat crew of the RPG-29 "Vampire" - two people.

On the body of the RPG-29 grenade launcher, a trigger mechanism with a handle, a stubborn folding bipod and a mechanical sight are mounted. The grenade launcher is also equipped with an optical sight for shooting in the daytime and a night vision device for shooting at night.

Aiming is carried out using a standard 2.7X optical sight, in addition, reserve open sights are located on the grenade launcher barrel.

To ensure greater convenience when firing from a prone position, a folding bipod is located in the rear of the grenade launcher - a support.

The main ammunition of the RPG-29 is the PG-29V rocket-propelled grenade. This is a tandem ammunition with two cumulative warheads located one after the other. The front warhead with a caliber of 64 mm provides penetration of protective screens and dynamic armor, the main one, with a caliber of 105 mm, directly affects the armor of a combat vehicle. Armor penetration 650 mm.

Unlike previous domestic systems, the PG-29V grenade is reactive. The complete burnout of the charge of a powerful rocket engine occurs during the time that the grenade is in a sufficiently long barrel of a grenade launcher, and the energy received by it is enough to achieve an effective firing range that is more than twice the firing range of a PG-7VR grenade from an RPG-7.

Grenade stabilization on the trajectory is carried out with the help of eight folding stabilizers located in its tail section.

Loading is done from the breech.

In addition, the TBG-29V thermobaric grenade can be used to combat enemy manpower.

RPG-29 "Vampire" grenade launcher, despite significantly increased specifications compared to one of its predecessors - RPG-7, it is relatively easy to operate, reliable and practically trouble-free in any climatic conditions.

• Weapons » Grenade launchers » Russia / USSR
• Mercenary 10373 1

RPG-29 "Vampire" (TKB-0175, GRAU index - 6G20)- Russian hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher. This is a modern weapon of a motorized rifle squad for destroying all types of modern tanks, armored and unarmored vehicles, as well as manpower in various types of fortifications.

Caliber: barrel 105 mm; grenade 64/105 mm.

Type of: grenade jet engine

Length: 1850 mm in combat position, 100 mm in folded (stowed) position

The weight: 12.1 kg unloaded, with telescopic sight and bipod; 18.8kg in combat position

Effective firing range: up to 500 m

Armor penetration: dynamic protection + more than 600 mm of steel armor

RPG-29 rocket-propelled grenade launcher was put into service Soviet army in 1989, and is designed to deal with the most advanced modern tanks, equipped with dynamic protection and powerful armor capable of withstanding conventional cumulative ammunition.

It is a development of such previous systems, as well as, however, it differs from them not only in large sizes, but also in a number of design features. From the new grenade launcher inherited a tandem warhead from the PG-7VR grenade, with two cumulative warheads located one after the other. The front warhead of a smaller size is designed to destroy a block of dynamic protection (reactive armor) or an anti-cumulative screen, after which a more powerful rear warhead already directly affects the tank hull. From the system was inherited with a detachable caliber smooth barrel for transportation, as well as a trigger mechanism with electronic ignition of the grenade engine.

Unlike previous domestic systems, the PG-29V grenade is purely reactive. The complete burnout of the charge of a powerful rocket engine occurs during the time that the grenade is in a sufficiently long barrel of a grenade launcher, and the energy received by it is enough to achieve an effective firing range that is more than twice the firing range of a PG-7VR grenade from. Grenade stabilization on the trajectory is carried out with the help of eight folding stabilizers located in its tail section.

Aiming is carried out using a standard 2.7X optical sight, in addition, reserve open sights are located on the grenade launcher barrel. To ensure greater convenience of shooting from a prone position, a folding bipod-support is located in the rear of the grenade launcher.

Combat use of the RPG-29 "Vampire"

According to unverified sources, the main part of the tank losses during the Second Lebanon War (2006) was suffered from the fire of RPG-29s produced in Russia. According to the Hezbollah-controlled media, since the beginning of August, during the battles with the Hezbollah group, the Israeli army began to lose 1-2 Merkava tanks per week. Mostly tanks of the first and second generations. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that there were no deliveries of Russian weapons to the Hezbollah movement. However, experts suggested that the grenade launchers could get to the Lebanese through third countries.

See also Spetsnaz.org.