RPG-43

Infobox Weapon
name=RPG-43


caption=
origin=flagcountry|Soviet Union
type=Anti-tank grenade
is_ranged=yes
is_explosive=yes
service=1943 -
used_by=Soviet Union and Warsaw pact countries
wars=World War II, 1948 Arab Israeli War, Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War
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weight=1.247 kg
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diameter=95mm
crew=
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filling=TNT shaped charge
filling_weight=0.612 kg
detonation=Impact fuze
yield=

The RPG-43 (Ruchnaya Protivotankovaya Granata) was a HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) hand grenade used by the Soviet Union during the Second World War.It entered service in 1943, replacing the earlier model RPG-40. The RPG-43 used a shaped charge HEAT warhead, whereas the RPG-40 used the simpler HE (High Explosive) warhead. The RPG-43 had a penetration of around 75mm of RHA at a 90 degree angle. Later in the war it was improved to become the RPG-6.

History

During the early days of Operation Barbarossa the USSR's only infantry anti-armour weapons were anti-tank rifles and the RPG-40. These were adequate against early German tanks such as the Panzer I and II, but as the war progressed, they were found to be nearly useless against the heavier Panthers and Tigers. The RPG-43 was the result and it was used in large numbers until the end of the war. After the war it was passed on in large numbers to Soviet client states and was used in the numerous Arab-Israeli conflicts. Despite being thoroughly outdated it can still be encountered in many third world nations mainly due to its low cost and reliability.

Description

The RPG-43 was shaped like an oversized stick grenade with a 95mm HEAT warhead on the end. It weighed 1.247 kg of which 612g was high explosive. When thrown a cylindrical metal cone was released from the rear of the grenade and held by fabric strips to stabilise the flight and increase the chances of a 90 degree hit. Its range was limited by how far the user could throw it, and was shorter than the contemporary German Panzerfaust or US Bazooka meaning the user was in more danger of being spotted. However it was much smaller than similar weapons and had the advantage of producing no sound, smoke or light when launched, therefor not betraying the throwers position. Despite its numerous disadvantages it would be the main soviet infantry anti-tank weapon of WWII, mainly because it was quick and cheap to manufacture.

Tactics

Overall the RPG-43 was an awkward and difficult weapon to use effectively. To use it the user had to get within throwing range of an enemy tank, which could be a very dangerous exercise. Despite having a powerful warhead it took a skilled user to make the most of it as it was much less effective the further the striking angle was from 90 degrees. It would also have to hit hard enough to activate the impact fuse or it would bounce harmlessly off the tank.

External links

* [http://www.inert-ord.net/russ02i/rpg43/index.html RPG-43 on Inert-Ord.net]