[rmnunez]

"Ручной противотанковый гранатомёт, РПГ" and is translated into English as "handheld anti-tank rocket-launcher". The commonly used term "rocket-propelled grenade" is a mistranslation. An RPG is an inexpensive way to deliver an explosive payload a distance of 100 yards with moderate accuracy. Substantially more expensive, wire-guided rockets are used when accuracy is important. These rockets trail a thin wire behind them during firing and can be steered by the operator while in flight. Because of the inherent inaccuracy of the RPG, the operator must fire relatively close to the intended target, increasing the chances of being spotted and suppressed. Most modern armies deploy anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) as their primary infantry anti-tank weapon, but the RPG can still be effectively employed against tanks under certain tactical conditions, especially urban warfare, where they are favored by low-tech armies. They are most effective when used in restricted terrain as the availability of cover and concealment can make it difficult for the intended target to spot the RPG operator. When deployed against personnel, the warhead can be aimed at a solid surface to detonate, popular choices being trees or buildings. Another option is an indirect method of firing the warhead over the intended target area at ranges of 800-1000 m where the warhead would detonate automatically. More skilled shooters can use RPG self-destruct feature to make it explode over the enemy at closer range. Rocket propelled grenade - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The RPG's self-destruct feature is reported elsewhere at 500 m.

Although they can be used against hovering helicopters, they should not be confused with anti-aircraft shoulder fired surface-to-air missile systems such as the Stinger or SA-7 'Grail'. Furthermore, firing at high elevations pose a danger to the user, because the backblast from the firing reflects off of ground. In Somalia some of the militia members welded a steel plate in the exhaust end of RPGs tube to reflect pressure away from shooter when shooting at high elevations (at US helicopters). Rocket propelled grenade - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The weapon’s projectile.

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The Ruchnoy Protivotankoviy Granatomet line of weapons continues to dominate this market. Under the auspices of the Rosoboronexport organization, the combined output of Russian defense contractors will account for over 68% of man-portable anti-armor and bunker buster weapon production, worth over 51% of the total market value, through 2014. The most significant production will involve the Russian RPG-26 and RPG-27. Forecast International Weapons Group expects the market will produce nearly 1.9 million weapons, worth $5.33 billion, through 2014. "Combined production of these two weapons will account for over 54% of all new production, worth over 31% of the total market value, through 2014." Nevertheless, the ubiquitous RPG-7 remains the man-portable anti-armor weapon of choice worldwide. Through 2014, the RPG-7 (and the follow-on RPG-16) ¿as well as various licensed and unlicensed copies ¿will account for nearly 8% of all new production, worth 5.63% of the total market value. "The combined output of the leading European players will provide only 13.96% of all man-portable anti-armor and bunker buster weapons production. However, these high-end European products will account for over 33% of the total market value through 2014." Talley Defense Systems, the sole US player to have any discernable impact on this market, will account for 5.14% of all production, worth 5.26% of the total market value, through 2014. Lockwood also notes that, unlike many other defense markets, the People's Republic of China has virtually no impact on the international market for man-portable anti-armor and bunker buster weapons. The Chinese State Arsenals system, under the auspices of the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO), will contribute less than 1% of total production and market value with its Type 69 line.Russian RPG Line Dominates World Market For Man Portable Anti Armor Weapons