The Devil’s Arrow: Why The RPG Is Still A Super Bad Ass Weapon

For millennials, “RPG” stands for “role playing game.” But warfighters know it as an inexpensive, simple to use anti-tank, shoulder-fired grenade launcher. Here’s some quick history and facts you should know about it.

RPG Quick Facts

For the record, RPG stands for “Ruchnoy Protivotankovy Granatomyot,” which is Russian for “Handheld Anti-Tank Grenade Launcher.” However, most people just refer to it as a “Rocket-Propelled Grenade” for simplicity’s sake. Plus, it just rolls right off the tongue.

It comes with five different warheads. The RPG is most widely used anti-armor weapon in the world because it’s cheap and pretty easy to use. It is portable, shoulder launched and reusable. More than 9 million have been built in total. Also, we should note that RPG-7s have a minimal effect on M1A2 Abrams Tanks—just in case you’re ever in that situation.

Specs

• Country of Origin: Soviet Union
• Entered Service: 1961
• Caliber: 40mm
• Effective Range Against Tanks: 200 m
• Effective Range Against Buildings: up to 500 m
• Length: 37.4 inches
• Weight: 15 pounds
• Sights: Flip-up iron sights, PGO-7 (2.7x) 
• $500-2000 for a launcher
• $100-500 per rocket

Chances of Getting Killed By an RPG-7

Measured by distance:

• 50 meters – 100 percent
• 100 meters – 96 percent
• 200 meters – 51 percent
• 300 meters – 22 percent
• 400 meters – 9 percent
• 500 meters – no chance in hell

Notable Video Game Appearances

• Fallout Tactics
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
• Battlefield Vietnam
• Resident Evil 4
• Call of Duty 4
• Cry Far 2
• Terminator Salvation
• Medal of Honor
• Call of Duty: Black Ops
• Saints Row: The Third

Notable Film Appearances

• Uncommon Valor
• Red Dawn
• Spies Like Us
• Rambo
• Black Hawk Down
• Lord of War

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