KBP RPO-A (Shmel)

Shoulder-Fired, Rocket-Propelled Flame Weapon

Soviet Union | 1988

"The KBP RPO-A Shmel was introduced during the late 1980s and serves Russian forces today as an infantry-level, shoulder-fired flamethrower weapon."

Image via Navsea.Navy.mil; Public Domain.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/15/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

During the late-Cold War period (1947-1991), the Soviet Army introduced a terrifying new anti-infantry weapon known as the RPO-A "Shmel". This shoulder-fired rocket launcher, considered a flamethrower by Soviet categorization, was designed around use of several rocket types including a primary thermobaric warhead-equipped type (RPO-A). There was also an incendiary rocket introduced (RPO-Z) as well as a general smoke-generating round (RPO-D). The series was introduced during the late 1980s and saw first-actions in the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989), both Chechen Wars, and - more recently - in the ongoing Syrian Civil War (beginning 2011) and the War in Donbass (versus Ukraine).

The RPO-A was used to succeed the aging, outgoing line of flame-oriented RPO "Rys" launchers then in circulation.

The Shmel continues in service today and fires a 93mm caliber, 700mm long rocket from a shoulder-fired launch tube measuring 920mm out to an effective range of 200 meters. Minumum range is 20 meters and maximum range reaches out to 1,000 meters (though sighting is only up to 600 meters). The system weighs 11 kilograms and consists of the launch tube (with integral optics set and trigger unit), the spin-stabilized rocket and a launching canister component.

The RPO-M "Shmel-M" (PDM-A) is a modernized form of 2006 and differs in its 90mm caliber, 940mm length, and 8.8kg weigh load. The MRO-A is a disposable compact form of 72.5mm caliber with simple iron sights. The MGK "Bur" is a compact grenade-type weapon system of 62mm caliber based on the RPO-M.

The Shmel rocket launcher series is used (or has been used) by elements in Belarus, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Russia (as well as the former Soviet Union), Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Vietnam, and Syria. The former Yugoslavia is a former operator of the series.

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Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the KBP RPO-A (Shmel). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,970 ft
600.5 m | 656.7 yds
Max.Eff.Range

4
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

410 ft/sec
125 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the KBP RPO-A (Shmel). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

920 mm
36.22 in
O/A Length

920 mm
36.22 in
Barrel Length

24.25 lb
11.00 kg
Weight

Shoulder-Fired; Rocket-Propelled
Action

93mm
Caliber(s)

Single-Shot; Reusable Launch Tube
Feed

Iron or Integrated Optics Set.
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the KBP RPO-A (Shmel) Shoulder-Fired, Rocket-Propelled Flame Weapon family line.

RPO-A "Shmel" - Base Series Name; 93mm caliber; thermobaric rocket warhead.

RPO-Z - Incendiary rocket warhead.

RPO-D - Smoke rocket warhead.

RPO-M "Shmel-M" (RPO PDM-A) - Modernized version of 2006; 90mm caliber; improved rocket and general performance.

MRO-A - Compact form; 72.5mm caliber; disposable.

MGK "Bur" - Compact grenade launcher; 62mm caliber.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the KBP RPO-A (Shmel). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): KBP - Soviet Union / Russia

[ Belarus; Fiji; Georgia; India; Kazakhstan; North Korea; Russia; Soviet Union; Syria; Ukraine; Vietnam; Yugoslavia ]

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Image via Navsea.Navy.mil; Public Domain.

Going Further...
The KBP RPO-A (Shmel) Shoulder-Fired, Rocket-Propelled Flame Weapon appears in the following collections:

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