RPG-18 (Mukha)

Disposable Lightweight Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) [ 1972 ]

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

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/29/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

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.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Basics [+]

Manufacturer(s)

State Factories - Soviet Union

Operators

Soviet Union; Ukraine

Service Year

1972

National Origin

Soviet Union

ANTI-ARMOR / ANTI-TANK / ANTI-MATERIAL
Designed to engage and defeat armor / enemy tanks at range.

Overall Length

1,050 mm / 41.34 in

Barrel Length

705 mm / 27.76 in

Weight (Empty)

5.73 lb / 2.60 kg

Action

Single-Shot; Disposable Launch Tube

Caliber(s)*

64mm
*May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.

Feed

Single-Shot; Disposable Launcher

Sights

Flip-Up Front and Rear.

Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information.

Max.Effective Range

656 ft / 199.9 m | 218.7 yds

Rate-of-Fire

4 rpm

Muzzle Velocity

377 ft/sec / 115 m/sec

RPG-18 "Mukha" - Base Series Designation.

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