| RPO-A Shmel | |
|---|---|
RPO-Shmel and Launcher |
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| Place of origin | Soviet Union Russia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See Users |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 11 kg |
| Length | 920 mm |
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| Caliber | 93 mm |
| Muzzle velocity | 125 ±5 m/s |
| Effective range | 20m - 1000m |
The RPO-A "Shmel" (rus. "РПО-А Шмель") ("Bumblebee") is a man-portable rocket launcher although it is classified as a flamethrower (rus. Реактивный Пехотный Огнемет) by the manufacturer, KBM, Kolomna.
The "Shmel" is designed, produced and exported by Russia and the former Soviet Union. It entered service with the Soviet Armed Forces at the end of the 1980s as the successor for the RPO "Rys".
Contents |
The RPO-A is a single-shot, self-contained tube shaped launcher which operates much like some RPG and LAW rocket launchers. The launcher is a sealed tube, carried in a man-pack in pairs. The same person can remove the tube, place it in firing position, and launch the weapon without assistance. After launch, the tube is discarded. All models are externally similar.
Each weapon contains a single rocket, of which there are three varieties. The basic rocket is the RPO-A, which has a thermobaric warhead and is designed for attacking soft targets under moderate cover. The RPO-Z is the incendiary warhead (rus. зажигательный) designed to spread fire and ignite targets. Finally, there is a smoke-producing warhead (rus. дымовой) offered, the RPO-D.
Specifications provided by Jane's: [1]
RPO weapons have seen use by the Soviet Army in Afghanistan and by both the Russian and the rebel forces in and near Chechnya, including during the battles of Grozny.
A recent development is the improved RPO-M "Shmel-M" that was shown for the first time at Eurosatory 2006. This version is quite similar to the original weapon, but has a calibre of 90mm and a weight of 8.8 kg. The system has better ergonomics and uses an improved rocket with better ballistics and terminal effect and with a maximum range of 1,700 m. The "Shmel-M" is also known as RPO PDM-A (rus. Повышенной Дальности и Мощности - enhanced range and lethality) and is produced for the local and export markets.[3][4][5] Video