RPG-18 (Mukha)

Disposable Lightweight Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW)

Soviet Union | 1972

"The Soviet RPG-18 held similarities to the American M72 LAW shoulder-fired anti-tank rocket launcher series."

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the RPG-18 (Mukha). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

656 ft
199.9 m | 218.7 yds
Max.Eff.Range

4
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

377 ft/sec
115 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the RPG-18 (Mukha). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,050 mm
41.34 in
O/A Length

705 mm
27.76 in
Barrel Length

5.73 lb
2.60 kg
Weight

Single-Shot; Disposable Launch Tube
Action

64mm
Caliber(s)

Single-Shot; Disposable Launcher
Feed

Flip-Up Front and Rear.
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the RPG-18 (Mukha) Disposable Lightweight Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) family line.

RPG-18 "Mukha" - Base Series Designation.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/29/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

As in the West with the M72 LAW, the Soviet Army of the Cold War years (1947-1991) adopted a lightweight, disposable Anti-Tank (AT) weapon all their own in the RPG-18 "Mukha". The system was similar in battlefield form and function as the M72 and provided short-ranged destructive firepower against armored vehicles and fortifications. The RPG-18 was eventually succeeded by the more modern RPG-22 series of rocket launchers which emerged in 1985. The RPG-22 continued the disposable nature of the RPG-18 but instead fired a larger, unguided fin-stabilized rocket.

The RPG-18 weighed 1.4 kilograms in its collapsed travel form and this increased to 2.5 kilograms when the system was made ready-to-fire. Overall length was, thusly, 705mm when collapsed and 1,050mm when made ready-to-fire. A single operator was all that was needed to utilize the benefits of such a portable weapon system and the disposable nature of the RPG-18 meant that the operator carried several RPG-18s into battle.

The RPG-18 fired a 64mm caliber rocket which held a HEAT (High-Explosive, Anti-Tank) warhead capable of defeating up to 300mm of Rolled Homogenous Armor (RHA) armor (though up to 375mm of conventional armor) at effective ranges out to 200 meters (or six seconds after launch to ensure detonation). As much as 1,000mm of brick could also be defeated. Muzzle velocity of the exiting projectile was 115 meters-per-second. The rocket detonated through an impact fuse design upon reaching its target. Optics (flip-up front and rear) were included on the launcher tube itself and a shoulder strap aided in transporting the weapon when on-the-march.

RPG-18 tubes were delivered pre-packed and ready-to-fire, the rockets sitting within the main body of the expandable tube. Hinged caps covered both ends of the launcher to prevent dust and debris from entering it.

The RPG-18 was in frontline circulation from 1972 until 1990.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the RPG-18 (Mukha). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): State Factories - Soviet Union

[ Soviet Union; Ukraine ]

1 / 1

Image via ORDATA; Public Domain.

Going Further...
The RPG-18 (Mukha) Disposable Lightweight Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) appears in the following collections:

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