RPG-30

RPG-30
RPG-30 "Hook"
Type	Disposable Rocket-propelled grenade
Place of origin	Russia
Service history
In service	2012
Used by	Russia
Production history
Designer	State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
Designed	2008
Manufacturer	State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
Produced	2013
Specifications
Mass	10.3 kg
Caliber	105 mm
Action	650 mm: Rolled homogeneous armor after active and dynamic protection 1,500 mm: Reinforced concrete 2,000 mm: Brick
Muzzle velocity	120 m/s
Effective firing range	200 m

The RPG-30 "Kryuk" ("Hook"; Russian: РПГ-30 «Крюк») is a Russian hand-held disposable anti-tank grenade launcher.

History

The RPG-30 was unveiled in 2008 by the State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt, as a modern anti-tank grenade launcher designed to address the challenge of reactive armor and active protection systems (APS) on tanks.^[1] Active protection systems such as ARENA-E, Drozd and Trophy defeat anti-armor munitions by destroying them before they reach their target. The RPG-30 is an intended response to the introduction of these systems. The RPG-30 cleared its testing program and entered service in 2012–2013 and was immediately put on the Pentagon's list of "asymmetrical threats to the US armed forces."^[2][3]

2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The RPG-30 has been used by the Russian military during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Description

The RPG-30, like the RPG-27, is a man-portable, disposable anti-tank rocket launcher with a single shot capacity. Unlike the RPG-27 however, there is a smaller diameter precursor round in a side tube, in addition to the main round in the main tube. The precursor round is fired shortly before the main round and acts as a decoy, tricking the target's active protection system (APS) into engaging it. The APS is not ready to engage again until 0.2–0.4 seconds later, allowing the main round time to hit the target.^[1]

The PG-30 is the main round of the RPG-30. The round is a 105 mm tandem shaped charge with a mass of 10.3 kg (22.7 lb) and has a range of 200 meters and a stated penetration capability in excess of 600 mm (24-in) of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA), 1,500 mm of reinforced concrete, 2,000 mm of brick and 3,700 mm of soil.^[1]

Defenses

In 2012 Israel Defense reported that the Rafael military-industrial corporation has developed a defense system, "Trench Coat", against the RPG-30, to supplement the existing Trophy. It consists of a 360-degree radar that detects all threats and launches 17 projectiles, of which one should strike the incoming missile.^[4]

Users

• Taliban militants (during 2013-2015^[5])
•  Iran: Produces a copy^[6]
•  Russian Federation
•  Syria
•  Vietnam: Produces a copy^[7]

References

1. ""Базальт" завершил разработку и испытания РПГ-30". ВОЙНА и МИР (in Russian). 2008-11-19. Archived from the original on September 6, 2009. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
2. "ОАО "НПО «Базальт" готово обеспечить потребности Минобороны в кратном увеличении учебных стрельб". 26 August 2013.
3. "Russian Army receives cutting-edge antitank rocket launchers — manufacturer".
4. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/153102#.T0icm_WAna8 Israel7
5. Antonio Giustozzi. "Counterinsurgency Challenge in Post-2001 Afghanistan". Small Wars & Insurgencies: 18.
6. "Iranian Anti-Tank Weapons Are Multiplying". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2021-06-27. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
7. "Súng chống tăng RPG-30 Kryuk do Việt Nam chế tạo khiến Nga bất ngờ". Báo Điện tử An ninh Thủ đô (in Vietnamese). 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2022-09-28.

External links

• News article announcing the RPG-30.
• The Firearm Blog Diagram, photo and video.
• "RPG-30: Russia's Dual Tube Rocket Launcher". The Armourer's Bench. 2022-10-23.