RPG-6
The RPG-6 (Russian: Ruchnaya Protivotankovaya Granata, "Handheld Anti-Tank Grenade") is a Soviet-designed high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) hand grenade introduced during World War II, utilizing a shaped charge warhead to penetrate armored vehicles through an explosively formed jet, with drag-stabilizing fabric tails for accurate flight and an impact-inertia fuse for detonation upon striking the target.[1][2] Developed as an improvement over earlier models like the RPG-43, the RPG-6 addressed limitations in penetration and stability by incorporating a standoff nose cone for optimal warhead performance at a distance equal to its diameter from the armor, allowing it to defeat up to 100 mm of rolled homogeneous armor plate.[3][4] After testing in September 1943, it was accepted into Red Army service the following month and entered mass production, serving as a primary infantry anti-tank weapon against German tanks, armored cars, and fortifications during the late stages of the war.[2][1] Weighing approximately 1.10 kg (2.43 lb) and measuring 337 mm (13.27 in) in length, the grenade features a sheet-metal body filled with 562 g of TNT, a pull-tab safety lever, and a conical casing with a hollow pointed nose, making it throwable by hand from cover or trenches while prioritizing flat-surface impacts for maximum effectiveness.[3][4] Its dual-role capability extended to anti-personnel use, with a fragmentation radius of about 20 m, proving valuable against infantry in open terrain.[2][1] Post-World War II, the RPG-6 remained in limited service during the early Cold War and was exported to allied nations including Albania, Egypt, and Syria, seeing combat in conflicts such as the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the 1967 Six-Day War, and the 1973 Yom Kippur War before being largely phased out in favor of more advanced rocket-propelled systems.[1][4] Fuses were typically shipped separately for safety, requiring assembly by trained personnel, and the weapon's design emphasized simplicity for mass issuance to Soviet infantry units combating superior German armor.[3]Development
Background
The RPG-6 anti-tank grenade evolved from earlier Soviet handheld designs, particularly the RPG-40 and RPG-43, as the Red Army sought more effective infantry weapons against armored vehicles during World War II. The RPG-40, introduced in 1940, relied on a simple blast effect that provided only limited penetration against armored targets, proving inadequate as German tank armor thickened. This led to the RPG-43 in 1943, an early shaped-charge grenade that improved armor defeat capabilities but was hampered by a short effective throwing range and unstable flight due to its rudimentary stabilization features, such as fabric ribbons.[5] The development of the RPG-6 was spurred by the tactical challenges faced by Soviet forces following the Battle of Kursk in July 1943, where encounters with heavily armored German tanks like the Panzer IV Ausf. H, Panther, and Tiger I highlighted the shortcomings of existing anti-tank grenades and rifles against frontal and side armor exceeding previous penetration thresholds. As the war shifted to Soviet offensives, the need for a reliable, close-range weapon became critical for infantry squads operating without dedicated launchers, especially in urban and close-quarters combat where maneuverability was key. The RPG-6 addressed these gaps by enhancing stability and penetration while maintaining the throwable nature of its predecessors.[5][1] Initiated in early 1943 by a team of designers including M. Z. Polevikov, L. B. Ioffe, and N. S. Zhitkikh at the Moscow branch of Scientific Research Institute-6 (NII-6), with contributions from G. V. Khrustaleva, A. N. Osina, and E. I. Pykhova, the RPG-6 emphasized simplicity in construction for rapid mass production under wartime constraints. This design philosophy ensured it could be easily manufactured and distributed to frontline troops, serving as a disposable, handheld option that required minimal training compared to recoilless guns or bazookas. After successful trials in September 1943, it entered production later that year, filling a vital role in equipping Soviet infantry for anti-tank duties.[5]Testing and adoption
Prototypes of the RPG-6 were developed in mid-1943 as an evolution of earlier Soviet anti-tank grenades, incorporating refinements to the shaped charge design from the RPG-43. Field trials commenced in September 1943, where the grenade was tested against captured German armored vehicles, including assault guns, to evaluate its performance in combat-like conditions. These trials demonstrated reliable operation, leading to official acceptance by the Soviet military in October 1943, with Joseph Stalin signing State Defense Committee Decree No. 4388ss on October 21 to authorize its adoption and production. The RPG-6 replaced the RPG-43 as the primary anti-tank hand grenade for Soviet infantry, though the RPG-43 continued in service for secondary roles due to existing stockpiles.[6] Mass production of the RPG-6 began in late 1943 at Soviet facilities, continuing until 1950. To enhance safety during transport and storage, grenades were shipped disassembled, with the main body separated from the fuses, requiring field assembly by screwing the handle and inserting the fuse. Production supplied frontline units until the end of World War II and beyond, with surplus stocks remaining in inventory.[5] Early design iterations addressed stability concerns observed in the RPG-43, such as erratic flight paths from ribbon deployment; the RPG-6 incorporated a streamlined aerodynamic shape and improved stabilizing ribbons, ensuring consistent trajectory and reliable throw distances of 20-30 meters. These tweaks minimized premature detonation risks and improved accuracy for infantry use from cover or trenches.[3][5]Design
Components
The RPG-6 anti-tank grenade features a stick grenade design consisting of a wooden handle for secure throwing grip and a sheet metal warhead head in the form of a truncated cone with a hemispherical cap, enabling effective manual delivery against armored targets.[3][1] Safety is provided by a pin and lever mechanism on the handle, which holds the striker in place until release, while arming occurs through screwing the handle onto the warhead and inserting the impact fuze to prevent premature detonation during storage or transport.[3][7] The grenade body, handle, and fuze are stored separately, requiring the operator to assemble them prior to use by unscrewing the handle, inserting the fuze into the warhead's opening, and reattaching the handle, which ensures safety and allows for on-demand preparation in combat scenarios.[3] For flight stability, four fabric ribbons—two large and two small—are attached to the base of the handle and deploy upon throwing, promoting aerodynamic drag that orients the grenade for flat-end-first impact and optimal warhead alignment with the target.[3][1][7] The warhead comprises a conical shaped charge liner with a standoff nose cone encased in a TNT-filled sheet metal casing, lacking magnetic elements found in later anti-tank mines, and is engineered for detonation upon 90-degree impact to focus explosive energy into a high-velocity jet for armor penetration.[3][2][8] This design allows the RPG-6 to penetrate up to 100 mm of armor, establishing its effectiveness against contemporary tanks.[3]Specifications
The RPG-6 anti-tank grenade is a single-use, operator-thrown weapon without a propulsion system, optimized for engaging tanks, armored cars, and pillboxes at close range. Its effective throw distance is approximately 15-20 meters, contingent on the user's strength and technique.[9] Fully assembled, the grenade weighs 1.10 kg.[3] It measures 337 mm in overall length.[1] The warhead employs a shaped charge filled with 562 g of TNT.[8] This configuration enables penetration of approximately 100 mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) upon 90-degree impact.[3] Detonation occurs via an impact fuze featuring a 3-5 meter safety distance to prevent premature explosion during launch; the resulting fragmentation provides an anti-personnel radius of 20 meters.[2]| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Mass (assembled) | 1.10 kg |
| Length | 337 mm |
| Explosive filling | 562 g TNT (shaped charge) |
| Armor penetration | ~100 mm RHA (90° impact) |
| Fuze type | Impact, 3-5 m safety distance |
| Fragmentation radius | 20 m (anti-personnel) |
| Effective range | ~15-20 m (thrown) |