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MILITARY TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT OF ZAMBIA

INFANTRY TRAINING WING
SKILL AT ARMS CELL

SUBJECT: 40 MM ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE (RPG)

LESSON: ONE (01) INTRODUCTION STRIPPING AND ASSEMBLING

AIM
1. To introduce the RPG, teach and practise students on stripping and assembling.

INTRODUCTION

2. The RPG is a recoilless shoulder fired, muzzle loaded, reloadable anti-tank

grenade launcher. It fires a variety of 85 mm rocket assisted grenade from a 40 mm
smooth bore launcher tube. The launcher has two (02) hand grips, a large optical sight,
a thick wooden heat guard around the middle, and a large flared blast shield at the rear
of the tube.
The RPG is light enough to be carried and fired by one person. However, an
assistant grenadier deploys to the left of the gunner to protect him/her from small arms
fire.
The rocket has good armour penetration capable of defeating all known
armoured vehicles. The RPG can be fitted with telescopic sight. In addition to anti-tank
role, it can be used against personnel, reinforced enemy fortification/bunker bursting.
Reloading and re-aiming the RPG requires a minimum of 14 seconds. Firing leaves
noticeable signature in form of flash, smoke and noise. Therefore, the unprotected
gunner is extremely vulnerable to suppressive fire.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE

3. The RPG consists of the launcher tube, front and rear sights and the firing
mechanism.

a. Launcher tube - it serves to give a rocket direction of flight. On

the outside of the tube are a brackets and firing pin housing seat which are
respectively used for connecting and containing the firing pin assembly. At
the muzzle end is set recess which serves to engage the set pin on the rocket
to ensure that the primer of the rocket aligns with the firing pin hole. The middle
portion of the launcher tube is covered with a wooden heat guard to prevent the
gunner from being scalded in firing.

b. Front and rear sight - they can be folded for carrying and
unfolding for aiming. In the rear sight are graduations from 200-500 meters. To
aim, the gunner will align the front sight tip to the rear sight notch.

c. Firing mechanism - it serves to fire the rocket and consists

of the firing pin assembly, hammer, trigger, trigger safety, frame and cover. In
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its frame are a split pin hole and a lug housing which serves to connect the
launcher tube by means of a split pin and a mating lug on the firing pin housing
seat. To facilitate the removal and the replacing of the hammer spring, a punch
hole is drilled radically in the lower portion of the push rod.
When being pressed downwards, the hammer pushes the rod downwards
by the arm, thus compressing the hammer spring. At the same time, the cocking
lug forces up the sear. When the sear is engaged with the cocking lug, the firing
mechanism is in the coked position.
When squeezing the trigger, the upper trigger pushes the sear to separate
from the cocking lug. At this moment under the action of the hammer spring, the
push rod pushes the hammer quickly and violently by means of its arm, and by
inertia the hammer strikes the firing pin, after the sear is engaged with the
safety lug and the return to their normal position.
When the firing pin is struck, it moves upwards together with the retaining
ring to compress the firing spring and its tip protruding into the tube, thus
striking the primer. After firing, the firing pin immediately returns to its normal
position under the tension of the firing pin spring.
The trigger safety is used to restrain the movement of the trigger so as to
prevent accidental firing.

d. Safety lever - when the end of the lever, marked with a red
circle is pushed into the cover of the firing mechanism, the safety lever is
pressed against the lower trigger lug to retain movement of the trigger, so that
the trigger safety is in the safe position, other wise , it is in the FIRE position.

SPARES AND ACCESSORIES

4. a. Spares - are for replacement i.e. set of firing pin assembly,

firing pin, firing pin spring, retaining ring and straight pin.

b. Accessories - for disassembling, assembling, cleaning,

correction of stoppages and carrying the launcher. They include: wrench
spanner, punch, hammer spring-disassembly tool, bore cleaner, funnels, muzzle
and breach cover and sling.

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Figure 1: Rocket Propelled Grenade and warhead with charge

PRINCIPLE DATA/ CHARACTERISTICS

5. a. Calibre...40 mm.
b. Diameter of war head...85 mm.
c. Length of launcher tube.950 mm.
d. Length of launcher with grenade.1, 340 mm.
e. Weight of RPG without grenade....7.9 kg.
f. Weight of grenade...........................................................2.25 kg.
g. Maximum range.920 meters.
h. Maximum effective range on stationary target.................500 meters.
j. Maximum effective range on moving target..300 meters.
k. Rate of fire4-5 rounds per minute.
l. Penetration power.over 330mm in (RHA) Rolled Homogeneous Armour.
m. Muzzle velocity140 meters per second.
n. Back Blast Danger Area (BBDA)60 degrees angle and 30meters long.

NOTE: RHA the basic type of steel plate used as base line to compare
effectiveness of military vehicle armour.

SAFETY PRECAUTION

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6. Safety precaution must be done before anything is done on the weapon. This is
done to check the type of rounds being used i.e. type of ammo, live ammo or drill
rounds. On the word of command, prepare the rounds for inspection.
The 2 shows the round. The 2 holds the rocket with both hands at 45
degrees angle with sliding proof facing to the right. Check the round by colour. During
practices, only rockets in black colour are allowed. Black indicates drill, green for live.
On the command, round checked. 2 lowers the rocket.

DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY OF THE ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE

7. Disassembly and assembly are done for cleaning, lubricating, checking as well as
correcting stoppages. Disassembly and assembly must be done according to the
procedure and fundamentals. Forceful knocking, rough and abuse handling is
prohibited. The disassembled parts should be placed on a clean object in order of
disassembly.

a. Disassembly

(1) To remove the firing pin assembly, cock the hammer and press the
safety lever to its safe position. Unscrew housing with a socket
wrench and remove the firing pin assembly. Then press the trigger
safety to its fire position and return the hammer to its original position.

(2) To remove the firing pin, press the retaining ring and pull out the
straight pin. Release the retaining ring, firing pin spring from the
firing pin in turn.

(3) To remove the firing the cover from the firing mechanism frame,
unscrew the screws from the cover and remove the cover.

(4) To remove the hammer and push rod:

(a) Depress the hammer spring gently to compress the hammer
spring and secure the spring in place by inserting a push into
the hole in the push rod. Squeeze the trigger to push up sear,
remove the hammer and push rod together with the hammer
spring.
(b) Insert push rod into the hammer spring removing tool with
the push rod arm downwards , press the removing tool with
the open end wrench to compress the hammer spring, then
withdraw the punch, release the removing tool gently and
remove the hammer spring.

(5) To remove the trigger safety, push out the safety pin then
withdraw the plunger and spring.

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(6) To remove the trigger, drive out the trigger shaft, pry up the sear
and then remove the trigger. The removal of the sear is no allowed
unless replacement is required.

b. Assembly reverse operation mentioned above but be sure to

keep the push rod arm to the front and the slot of the hammer spring removing
tool to the left when assembling the spring to the push rod.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ROCKET

8. The RPG fires a variety of rockets, commonly used as HE (High Explosive) and
HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank). Complete shell consists of:
a. Rocket body.
b. Detonating fuse.
c. Propelling charge.

(1) Rocket body it is made up of the rocket body and fin

assembly.
(a) Rocket head contains the shaped charge of
explosive and consist of wind shield, casing and diaphragm.
(b) Fin assembly it is used to stabilize the rocket in
flight and consists of the stabilizer tube, fins and base case.
(2) Detonating fuse it is used to detonate the explosive
charge in the rocket.
(3) Propelling charge it serves to propel the rocket and
consists of the fibre container and propellant. At the front end of
the fibre container, is a base seat which serves to connect the base
case.

Figure 2: inside of a war head

NOTE
Inside of Ammunition
The RPG-7 can fire a variety of warheads for anti-armour (HEAT, PG-Protivotankovaya
Granata) or anti-personnel (HE, OG-Oskolochnaya Granata) purposes, usually fitting
with an impact (PIBD) and a 4.5 second fuse. Armour penetration is warhead
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dependent and ranges from 30 to 60 centimetres of RHA; one warhead, the PG-7VR, is
a 'tandem charge' device, used to defeat reactive armour with a single shot.
Current production ammunition for the RPG-7V2 consists of four types: Inside of
an RPG's three sections. The head contains the (1) trigger, (2) conductive cone, (3)
aerodynamic fairing, (4) conical liner, (5) body, (6) explosive, (7) conductor and (8)
detonator. The rocket motor consists of a (9) nozzle block, (10) nozzle and (11) motor
body with (12) propellant in front of (13) the motor rear and (14) ignition primer. The
booster charge includes the (15) fin, (16) cartridge, (17) charge, (18) turbine, (19)
tracer and (20) foam wad. PG-7VL [c.1977] Improved 93 mm HEAT warhead effective
against most vehicles and fortified targets. Replaces the earlier 83mm PG-7V HEAT
warhead [c.1961].

PG-7VR [c.1988] Dual 64mm/105mm HEAT warhead for defeating modern armoured
vehicles equipped with reactive armour blocks. The first warhead (64mm HEAT)
detonates the reactive armour block prematurely and the second warhead (105mm
HEAT) passes through the gap to hit the exposed armour underneath.

TBG-7V [c.1988] 105 mm Thermo baric warhead for anti-personnel and urban warfare.

OG-7V [c.1999] 40mm fragmentation warhead for anti-personnel warfare (warhead is

within calibre due to limitations of international treaties)

VARIETY OF ROCKETS USED BY THE 40MM ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE

Name Type Image Weight Diameter Penetration

Single-stage
PG-7V 2.2kg 85mm > 260mm RHA
HEAT

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PG- Single-stage
2.6kg 93mm > 500mm RHA
7VL HEAT
600mm RHA
(with reactive
PG- 64mm/ armour)
Tandem HEAT 4.5kg
7VR 105mm 750mm RHA
(without
reactive)
OG- Fragmentation
2kg 40mm
7V HE
TBG-
7V Thermo baric 4.5kg 105mm

LAUNCHING

9. After the firing pin strikes the primer, the primer ignites and lights both the
priming powder in the primer vent and the propellant in the cartridge case to produce
powder gas to propel the rocket forward and jet powder back wards, thus launching in
complete.

MILITARY TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT OF ZAMBIA

INFANTRY TRAINING WING
SKILL AT ARMS CELL

SUBJECT: 40 MM ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE (RPG)

LESSON: TWO (02) LOADING AND UNLOADING

AIM

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1. To teach and practise students on loading and unloading of the Rocket Propelled
Grenade.

APPROACH

2. It is of importance to know how to load the gun the properly ensuring that the
set pin fits well on to the set recess of the launcher tube before the gunner can fire.
Before firing, it is important to carry out safety precaution. This ensures that the
rounds are checked for serviceability as well as inspecting ensuring that the ammunition
being used is right ammunition for the gun.

SAFETY PRECAUTION
3. On the word of command prepare the rounds for my inspection, 2 shows
the ammunition. He / she holds the rocket with both hands straight at 45 degrees angle
with sliding proof facing to the right, check rounds by colour during practices, only
rockets in black colour are allowed. Black indicates drill. On the command rounds
checked, 2 lowers the rockets.

LOADING

4. On the word of command load, the grenadier will press the safety catch to safe
and point the launcher tube slightly to 2, holding the pistol grip with the right hand,
in order to control the launcher,, straightens his / her left hand in readiness to receive
the rocket. The 2 will then take the rocket with both hands keeping the rocket head
pointing to the left. He will then push the rocket to the grenadier by the tail. Then push
and twist the rocket in the bore until the set pin on the rocket fits on the set recess on
the launcher and the gun is loaded. Then the 2 will shout and tap the grenadier and
shout loaded. The grenadier will return the launcher in the firing position and rise up
the sights. After loading, the following drills are carried out:
On the command range 300 meters, the gunner will acknowledge (repeat) the
word of command.
Aim at the centre of the target gunner repeats.
Fire when you are ready gunner will shout watch the point of burst.

UNLOADING
5. If the gunner has made no attempt to fire, he/ she will put the safety catch to
safe. On the word of command unload, gunner turns and points the launcher to 2
who removes the rocket and unscrews the propellant charge.

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Figure 3: loading position Figure 4: grenade being loaded

Figure 5: RPG loaded with HEAT rocket

MILITARY TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT OF ZAMBIA

INFANTRY TRAINING WING
SKILL AT ARMS CELL

SUBJECT: 40 MM ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE (RPG)

LESSON: THREE (03) SIGHT UNIT

AIM
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1. To teach on how to use the optical system of the sight unit.

INTRODUCTION

2. The sight unit is an optical instrument used for the 40 mm RPG to aim and shoot
at the enemy tank targets with in 300 500 meters respectively. It permits to
determine roughly the distance when the target is 2.7 meters high. With an infrared
photo sensitive screen, it allows search, aim and shoot at the target at night.

CHARACTERISTICS

3. The performance of the sight is as follows:

a. Maximum sighting range is 500 meters.
b. Maximum range determination is 1000 meters.

DESIGNATION AND USE OF PARTS

4. The sight unit comprises the following:

a. Change lever for light adjustment.
b. Fixing lever for fixing the unit tight to the gun after
mounting.
c. Infrared photo sensitive screen for excitation of the sight.
d. Night lighting device to illuminate the reticule for night firing.
e. Battery cover to accommodate the cells or battery.
f. Eye shade to protect the eye when aiming and firing.
5. The object is cast by passing through the objective lens; an inverted image on
the reticle, the image converter turns the inverted image upright, so an enlarged
normal image and reticle can be clearly seen through the eye piece.

6. The optical system comprises the following:

a. The objective (lens) for magnification.
b. Reticle for:
(1) Estimation of range to the objective.
(2) Aiming when using telescopic sight.
c. Image converter for casting the image upright.
d. Eye piece for easy viewing.
STRUCTURE OF THE RETICLE

7. a. Horizontal scale marked from 200 500 meters for elevation.

b. Vertical scale marked from 1 5 mils for deflection (wind
age) and moving targets.
c. + sign for correct alignment and sight picture such as the
horizontal and the vertical lines to cross each other.
d. Curved broken line or range determination and marked
from 200 100 meters respectively.

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DIAGRAMATIC LAYOUT OF THE 40 MM RPG RETICLE

8. The diagram below depicts the reticle for the 40 mm Rocket Propelled Grenade.

2
3
4
5
5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5
2

8 10

2.7

MILITARY TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT OF ZAMBIA

INFANTRY TRAINING WING
SKILL AT ARMS CELL

SUBJECT: 40 MM ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE (RPG)

LESSON: FOUR (04) SIGHT SETTING, AIMING AND HOLDING

AIM

1. To teach and practise students on sight setting, aiming and holding of the Rocket
Propelled Grenade.

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SIGHT SETTING

2. In order to obtain the greatest efficiency fro the weapon, there must be accurate
estimation of the range together with quick and accurate setting of sights and aiming at
the target.
a. Set the correct sight and choose the aiming point according to the target
height and size.
b. When firing at the range 200m, 300m, 400m and 500m, select the sight
corresponding to the range and aim at the centre of the target big or small in
size. Rising up or lowering the aiming point can be achieved by rising or lowering
elbows respectively.
c. When firing at the target which is at 100m rise the folding fore sight tip to
lower the aiming point.
d. To set the sights, press the sight catch slide the sight slide to the required
range.

AIMING AND HOLDING

3. The principles of aiming are the same for any shoulder fired weapon:-
a. The gunner will look through the rear notch to the centre of the target
and align the foresight.
b. To hold, the grenadier grips the front pistol grip with the right hand and
the left hand on the rear pistol grip.
c. The RPG is held horizontally with the ground with the cheek placed
against the tube with comfort to align the sights.

CAUTION

3. a. The breach RPG is not to be obstructed by anything to avoid the back

blast from reflecting back to the gunner e.g. wall, tree, etc.
b. In the lying position, the grenadier will lie oblique and away from the back
blast to avoid injury.

MILITARY TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT OF ZAMBIA

INFANTRY TRAINING WING
SKILL AT ARMS CELL

SUBJECT: 40 MM ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE (RPG)

LESSON: FIVE (05) FIRING

AIM

1. To teach and practise students on firing and correction of stoppages and failures.

APPROACH

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2. To effectively engage the target, the grenadier must hold, aim correctly and fire
without distracting ones aim.

FIRING

3. When the range is given, the gunner will act as taught:-

a. Words of command;
(1) Enemy stationary target (for stationary targets) or
Enemy approximately /flanking (for moving targets)
The gunners will repeat the word of command.
(2) Aim at the centre of the target (gunners repeat the word of
command).
(3) Fire when you are ready gunners will acknowledge by shouting
(watch the point of burst), gunners will open mouths, aim and fire.

CORRECTION OF FIRE

4. It is the duty of the 2 to watch the rocket as it goes to the target. He is to

shout, drop shot for rockets dropping before the target, over shot for rockets
missed above the target and target for hits.

MISFIRES

5. If the gun fails to fire, the gunner is to shout misfire and then a second
attempt will be made to fire. If it still cant fire, he/ she wait for the command to unload
and then inspect for the cause.

STOPPAGES

6. There are two (02) commonly occurring stoppages or failures on the Rocket
Propelled Grenade:
a. Failure to fire.
b. Failure to load.

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Figure 6: removing a misfired grenade

CAUSES AND CORRECTION

STOPPAGE CAUSE CORRECTION

FAILURE TO Rocket not in position. Load the rocket correctly.

FIRE Defective primer. Change the rocket.
Worn out/broken firing Change the firing pin.
pin.
FAILURE TO Heavy smoke. Clean the bore.
LOAD Protrusive primer. Change the rocket.
Firing pin fails to Clean or change the firing
return. pin spring.

MILITARY TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT OF ZAMBIA

INFANTRY TRAINING WING
SKILL AT ARMS CELL

SUBJECT: 40 MM ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADE (RPG)

LESSON: SIX (06) FIRING AT MOVING TARGET

AIM

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1. To teach grenadiers on how to locate stationary by applying tank hunting
methods and the methods of movement adopted.

INTRODUCTION

2. A grenadier must be an expert at tank hunting by understanding the use of

senses such as the sense of smell by smelling the scent of fuel of any concealed
stationary tank with its engine not running.
In the same vain he should understand the methods of movement adopted by
enemy tanks by knowing any angle at which it approaches.

TYPES OF TANK TARGETS

3. a. Stationary tanks these may be concealed using the

following:
(1) Turret down whole tank dug in only exposing the
turret and very difficult to locate. Here the commander can be seen
out side on top of the tank observing.
(2) Hull down the hull of the tank is concealed leaving out
the whole of the turret and here the commander is not exposed but
hidden inside.
(3) Periscope - here both the hull and the turret are
completely down and the commander uses the telescope to
observe. Such tank targets are very difficult to locate.
b. Moving tanks these may approach in the following:
(1) Longitudinal at an angle of ..90.
(2) Lateral - at an angle of ..180.
(3) Slant/ oblique at an angle of . 30 - 60.

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Lateral

Longitudinal Slant

Figure 7: TANK MOVEMENTS

FIRING AT MOVING TANKS

4. When firing at moving targets, the grenadiers must know the following:
a. Master its weak or vital parts.
b. Tank moving direction.
c. Tank speed.
5. Having selected the vital points to be concentrated, destroy the weak parts and
fire at the tank timely and violently.

VITAL PARTS

6. The following are the vital parts of a tank:

a. Tracks or wheels.
b. fuel tank although chances of being exposed are very rare.
c. Any where on the flanks.
d. Engine though rarely exposed.
e. Turret or where the turret joins the hull.
f. Water jet.
g. Reciprocating wheel.

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(2) Where the turret joins the hull

(1) Turret

(3) Tracks/ (4) Water jet

suspension
(5) Engine/ fuel
tank

(7)Reciprocating
wheel

(6) Flanks/ sides

Figure 8: Vital parts

TYPES OF TANKS

7. Tanks are grouped in three (03) categories listed below. Their statuses differ or
increase according to their calibre and model, e.g. PT 76 has a calibre of 76.2mm.
a. Light tanks - e.g. PT 76.
b. Medium tanks - e.g. T54, T59, etc.
c. Heavy tanks - e.g. Abraham tanks (battle taxi).

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