RPG-18

RPG-18
RPG-18 rocket launcher with PG-18 rocket
Type	Rocket-propelled grenade
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1972– present
Wars	Soviet War in Afghanistan Nagorno Karabakh War Tajikistan Civil War First Chechen War 2008 South Ossetian War Syrian Civil War
Specifications
Weight	1.4 kg (unarmed) 2.6 kg (ready to fire)
Length	705 mm (unarmed) 1,050 mm (ready to fire)
Crew	1
Shell	HEAT with a penetration of 300 mm of RHA
Caliber	64 mm
Action	By using VP-18 impact fuze: 1,000 mm: Brick 500 mm: Concrete with VP-18 impact fuze.
Muzzle velocity	115 m/s
Effective firing range	200 m

The RPG-18 Mukha (Russian: Муха – "Fly") is a Soviet short-range, disposable light anti-tank rocket launcher.

The RPG-18 is very similar to the US M72-series LAW anti-tank rocket. The RPG-18 has been succeeded by the RPG-22, a very similar design with a larger warhead.

The RPG-18 fires a 64 mm PG-18 HEAT warhead mounted on a small rocket capable of engaging any target within 200 meters. The warhead self-destructs 6 seconds after launch, placing definite limits on range even if a sight was used that was effective with targets beyond 200 meters. The RPG-18 itself can penetrate up to 375 mm of conventional armor. However, performance is significantly diminished when the RPG-18 is employed against targets protected by HEAT-resistant ERA or composite armor.

Unlike better known weapons, the RPG-18 requires only one operator because it is not reloadable. Assistant grenadiers are used to help reload the RPG-2, RPG-7 and RPG-16 systems.