RPG-76

Infobox Weapon
name= RPG-76


caption= An extended RPG-76 Komar
origin=flagcountry|Poland
type= Rocket-propelled grenade
is_ranged=yes
service=1980–present
used_by=Poland
wars= Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
designer=
design_date=1973
manufacturer= Precision Works in Niewiadowo (Zakład Sprzętu Precyzyjnego w Niewiadowie)
unit_cost=
production_date= 1980
number=
variants=
spec_label=
weight=2.1/1.78 kg (launcher with grenade/grenade)
length= 1190/805 mm (extended/folded)
part_length=
width=
height=
diameter=
crew=1
cartridge=68 mm, 1.7 kg, 260 mm of penetration
caliber=40 mm (1.57 in)
barrels=one
action= one shot
rate= one shot
velocity= 145 m/s
range= 250 m
max_range=
feed= one shot, non re usable launch tube
sights=iron sights

RPG-76 Komar (eng. "Mosquito") is a Polish light one-shot anti-tank grenade launcher that fires an unguided anti-tank rocket propelled grenade.The weapon was designed as a smaller and lighter alternative to the RPG-7, especially for use by airborne troops.

Design phase

In 1971 in the Polish Military Institiute of Defense Technology a program codenamed “Argus” was began. The goal of the project was to develop an anti-tank grenade launcher with a single use launch tube, which could supplement the RPG-7 launcher. Two versions were considered: a recoilless rifle and a rocket propelled grenade launcher. The rocket variant was chosen due to the fact that earlier experience gained during the development of the rocket assisted PGN-60 . At this stage apart from the team of Polish scientists (Z.Zborowski, K.Kowalewski, T.Witczak, Z.Kapustka, A. Perełkowicz, K. Laskowski, Z.Kupidura), a team of Bulgarian scientists from the Military Institiute of Research and Development in Sophia was also involved. The task of The Bulgarian scientists ws to develop the rocket engine and the launcher. The presentation of the first prototype took place in 1973 on the III Central Military Invention and rationalization Exhibition, the weapon was then designated as “HEAT grenade with single use launch tube RPG-73”In 1980 a series of prototype launchers was produced. In the following years cooperation with Bulgarians has broken down, and the launcher was continued to be developed as a Polish only

The weapon was adopted by the Polish Army in 1985 as "RPG-76 Komar", and with the warhead incapable of penetrating the front armor of modern western tanks it became a specialized weapon, never to be deployed by regural troops.It was produced in the Precision works in Niewiadowo, Poland.

The weapon is no longer produced, in the year 2003 it was withdrawn from front line units due to the limited ant-tank capabilities of the grenade. Polish Airborne and Special forces have replaced the RPG-76 with a small number of heavier multipurpose Carl Gustav recoilless rifles using a variety of modern ammunition types. Polish units in Iraq and Afghanistan (ISAF) are equipped with a limited number of the RPG-76 launchers.

The weapon is shipped in wooden crates, 6 launchers are placed in each crate and each launcher is sealed in an airtight plastic sheet.

imilar weapons

*RPG-18
*M72 LAW