RPG-22
Encyclopedia
The Soviet RPG-22 Netto is a one-shot disposable anti-tank rocket launcher
first deployed in 1985, based on the RPG-18
rocket launcher, but firing a larger 72.5 mm fin stabilised projectile. The weapon can be prepared to fire in around 10 seconds, and can penetrate 400 mm of armour, 1.2 meters of brick or 1 meter of reinforced concrete.
.
In transport mode both ends of the barrel are closed by plastic covers, which open when the weapon is extend. The firing mechanism is manually cocked by rising the rear sight. Lowering the rear sight de-cocks the weapon if the there is no target.
On firing there is a backblast
danger area behind the weapon, of at least 15 meters, the solid propellant motor completely burns out while rocket is still in the barrel tube, accelerating it to about 133 meters per second. The weapon has simple pop-up sights graduated to ranges of 50, 150 and 250m
To keep training cost down a reusable RPG-22 is available that fires a 30 mm subcalibre projectile, weighing 350g, to operational ranges. Handling is identical to that of the full caliber version, with the exception of the discharge noise and backblast.
in London
the headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service
, was attacked by unapprehended forces using a RPG-22 anti-tank missile, causing superficial damage.
A weapons cache destined for the Real IRA that was seized in Croatia
in August 2000 contained a number of RPG-22s. Prices range from £150 to £220 per weapon. The one used against the MI6 building was Russian-made, while one found at Dungannon
came from Bulgaria.
Shoulder-launched missile weapon
A shoulder-fired missile, shoulder-launched missile or man-portable missile is a projectile fired at a target, small enough to be carried by a single person, and fired while held on one's shoulder...
first deployed in 1985, based on the RPG-18
RPG-18
The RPG-18 Mukha is a Russian short-range, disposable light anti-tank rocket launcher.-History:The RPG-18 is very similar to the US M72-series LAW anti-tank rocket and was developed after the Soviet military obtained M72s from its allies in Vietnam...
rocket launcher, but firing a larger 72.5 mm fin stabilised projectile. The weapon can be prepared to fire in around 10 seconds, and can penetrate 400 mm of armour, 1.2 meters of brick or 1 meter of reinforced concrete.
Operation
The smoothbore container is made from two parts, a main tube containing the missile, and a telescoping forward extension, which slides over the barrel, both are made from fiberglassFiberglass
Glass fiber is a material consisting of numerous extremely fine fibers of glass.Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of glass fiber was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling...
.
In transport mode both ends of the barrel are closed by plastic covers, which open when the weapon is extend. The firing mechanism is manually cocked by rising the rear sight. Lowering the rear sight de-cocks the weapon if the there is no target.
On firing there is a backblast
Backblast area
The backblast area is a cone-shaped area behind a rocket launcher, rocket-assisted takeoff unit or recoilless rifle, where hot gases are expelled when the rocket or rifle is discharged. The backblast area is dangerous to ground personnel, who may be burned by the gases or exposed to overpressure...
danger area behind the weapon, of at least 15 meters, the solid propellant motor completely burns out while rocket is still in the barrel tube, accelerating it to about 133 meters per second. The weapon has simple pop-up sights graduated to ranges of 50, 150 and 250m
To keep training cost down a reusable RPG-22 is available that fires a 30 mm subcalibre projectile, weighing 350g, to operational ranges. Handling is identical to that of the full caliber version, with the exception of the discharge noise and backblast.
Use
On the evening of 20 September 2000, the MI6 BuildingSIS Building
The SIS Building, also commonly known as the MI6 Building, is the headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service . It is known within the intelligence community as Legoland and also as "Babylon-on-Thames" due to its resemblance to an ancient Babylonian ziggurat...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
the headquarters of the British Secret Intelligence Service
Secret Intelligence Service
The Secret Intelligence Service is responsible for supplying the British Government with foreign intelligence. Alongside the internal Security Service , the Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence Intelligence , it operates under the formal direction of the Joint Intelligence...
, was attacked by unapprehended forces using a RPG-22 anti-tank missile, causing superficial damage.
A weapons cache destined for the Real IRA that was seized in Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
in August 2000 contained a number of RPG-22s. Prices range from £150 to £220 per weapon. The one used against the MI6 building was Russian-made, while one found at Dungannon
Dungannon
Dungannon is a medium-sized town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is the third-largest town in the county and a population of 11,139 people was recorded in the 2001 Census. In August 2006, Dungannon won Ulster In Bloom's Best Kept Town Award for the fifth time...
came from Bulgaria.
Reference in Print
- Jones, Richard. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005–06. Coulsdon: Jane's, 2005. ISBN 0710626940.