RPG-18
The RPG-18 Mukha (Russian: Муха, lit. 'Fly') is a Soviet-designed, short-range, disposable light anti-tank rocket launcher introduced in 1972 as the first non-reloadable system in Soviet service.[1][2] It fires a single 64 mm PG-18 high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rocket propelled warhead capable of penetrating up to 300 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) at effective ranges of 150 to 200 meters.[1][2] Weighing 2.6 kg in the ready-to-fire configuration with an extended length of 1,050 mm (collapsing to 705 mm for transport), the launcher consists of an aluminum inner tube encased in fiberglass, pre-loaded and discarded after use to provide infantry with a lightweight, man-portable alternative to reusable systems like the RPG-7.[1][2] Developed in response to captured American M72 LAW disposable launchers encountered during the Vietnam War, the RPG-18 emphasized simplicity, low cost, and ease of deployment for frontline troops facing armored threats.[1] Production continued into the early 1990s, after which it was largely supplanted by improved successors such as the RPG-22, though it remains in limited stockpiles among former Soviet states and exported operators.[2]Development and Design
Origins and Influences
The development of the RPG-18 was directly influenced by the American M72 LAW disposable anti-tank rocket launcher, which entered U.S. service in 1963 and saw extensive use during the Vietnam War.[2] Soviet intelligence acquired samples of the M72 as early as 1967 through battlefield captures in Vietnam, providing engineers with a tangible basis for reverse-engineering a lightweight, single-use anti-armor system.[3] This foreign technology reconnaissance aligned with broader Soviet efforts to adapt proven Western innovations to domestic needs, particularly as captured U.S. equipment became available via proxy conflicts.[1] By the late 1960s, Soviet military planners recognized the need for a more portable alternative to reusable systems like the RPG-7, which required two-person crews, ongoing maintenance, and logistical support unsuitable for rapid mass mobilization against anticipated NATO armored threats.[4] The RPG-18's conceptual work began around 1970, emphasizing disposability to minimize training demands and enable issuance to individual conscripts in a doctrine prioritizing sheer volume of firepower over complex weaponry.[1] This approach reflected the Soviet Union's strategic focus on equipping vast infantry forces with simple, low-cost tools to penetrate emerging Western tank armor, such as that on the M60 series, without the vulnerabilities of reloadable launchers in high-intensity warfare.[2] The RPG-18's design thus embodied a pragmatic response to RPG-7 operational constraints—its 6.3 kg weight and crew requirements hindered infantry mobility—while incorporating the M72's core principle of pre-loaded, extended-tube deployment for enhanced backblast safety and accuracy.[4] Official adoption occurred in 1972, marking the Soviet Union's first foray into mass-produced disposable launchers as a doctrinal counter to NATO's qualitative armor edges.[1]Technical Development and Testing
The RPG-18 was developed by the Soviet State Research and Production Enterprise Bazalt starting in the late 1960s, with the design finalized for adoption in 1972. Engineers prioritized a straightforward disposable construction consisting of a telescoping aluminum tube integrated with a basic flip-up iron sight, enabling quick extension and firing with limited training requirements for infantry operators. This approach drew from observations of captured American M72 LAW systems during conflicts in Southeast Asia, adapting the concept to Soviet manufacturing capabilities while ensuring compatibility with a 64 mm high-explosive anti-tank rocket.[5][2] Prototype iterations focused on optimizing rocket propulsion and launcher stability to achieve consistent muzzle velocity of approximately 115 m/s, culminating in field trials that validated an effective firing range of 200 meters against armored targets. Testing involved static and dynamic engagements simulating NATO-era tanks, confirming penetration capabilities sufficient for contemporary threats while maintaining lightweight portability at 2.6 kg fully assembled. Adjustments during trials emphasized safe backblast dispersion, requiring a minimum 10-meter clear zone behind the firer to mitigate overpressure risks to nearby personnel.[6][7][2] Empirical data from these evaluations demonstrated hit probabilities exceeding 90% at 100 meters under controlled conditions, with self-destruct mechanisms limiting maximum range to prevent uncontrolled flights beyond 200 meters. The design's reliability was affirmed through extensive endurance tests, resolving minor stability variances in early prototypes to ensure consistent performance across temperature extremes typical of operational environments.[6][7]