| RKG-3 anti-tank grenade | |
|---|---|
| Type | Hand grenade |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1.07 kg |
| Length | 362 mm |
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| Effective range | 15–20 m |
| Filling | TNT/RDX with a steel lined shaped charge with 125 mm penetration of RHA and 20 m fragment radius. |
| Filling weight | 0.567 kg |
| Detonation mechanism |
Impact fuze |
RKG-3 is the designation of Russian series of anti-tank hand grenades. It superseded the RPG-43, RPG-40 and RPG-6 series of grenades.
Contents |
RKG stands for Ruchnaya Kumulyativnaya Granata (Handheld Shaped Charge Grenade). When the pin is pulled and the grenade is thrown a four-panelled drogue parachute is deployed by a spring. This parachute stabilizes the grenade in flight and ensures that the grenade strikes the target at a 90 degree angle, maximising the effect of the shaped charge. Armour penetration is 125 mm and 165 mm for steel and copper (RKG-3M) conical liner versions respectively.
The RKG-3M was used extensively during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
RKG-3 grenades have also been used by Iraqi insurgents against coalition forces. On 1 June 2006, RKG-3 grenades were used in an attack on an American Humvee,[1] and RKG-3 grenades have been captured by US Marines from insurgents in Al Anbar.[2]
RKG-3 grenades have been intercepted en-route to Palestinian forces in Gaza.[3]
RKG-3 grenades have been used throughout Iraq with the majority of attacks occurring in the Baghdad region. Several other attacks have been reported North of Baghdad to include Tikrit, Bayji, and Mosul. The attacks have mainly been on the U.S. Army Stryker vehicle and the MRAP (armored vehicle) but not limited to attacks against ASV (Armor Security Vehicles) and M1151 UP Armored HMMWV.
RKG-3s have also been used in Samarra, Iraq against 101st Airborne and 25th Infantry an also 3rd Infantry soldiers in MRAPS, and Humvees. The RKG-3 was a somewhat common weapon in Samarra, Iraq, during mid 2008 to early 2009. Large caches have been discovered along with training material for insurgent use.
Current TTP's (Tactics Technique and Procedures) for use of this weapon in theater is to remove the drogue chute so that the device can be thrown directly at the side or rear of a vehicle. This weapon is very similar in function to an EFP (Explosively Formed Projectile/Penetrator) except that it is mobile instead of stationary.
