RPG-76 Komar (original) (raw)

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Rocket-propelled grenade

RPG-76 Komar
An extended RPG-76 Komar
Type Rocket-propelled grenade
Place of origin Polish People's Republic
Service history
In service 1985–present
Used by PolandUkraine
Wars War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)Iraq WarRussian invasion of Ukraine
Production history
Designed 1973
Manufacturer Precision Works in Niewiadów (Zakład Sprzętu Precyzyjnego w Niewiadowie)
Produced 1980 prototypes, 1983-95
No. built Over 100,000
Specifications
Mass 2.1 kg - loaded launcher with rocket 1.7 kg - rocket
Length 805 mm - folded 1190 mm extended
Crew 1
Cartridge 68 mm with 260 mm penetration against RHA
Caliber 40 mm (1.57 in)
Barrels one
Action Single shot
Muzzle velocity 145 m/s
Effective firing range 250 m
Feed system Single shot, non reusable launch tube
Sights Iron sights

RPG-76 Komar (eng. Mosquito) is a disposable one-shot anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade that fires an unguided rocket. The weapon was designed as a smaller and lighter alternative to the RPG-7, especially for use by airborne troops. Thanks to jet nozzles located between the warhead and the fuel compartment, it can be fired from inside a building or a vehicle.

In 1971, the Polish Military Institute of Defense Technology initiated the project “Argon,” aimed at developing an anti-tank launcher with a single-use launch tube as a supplement for the RPG-7. Two versions were considered: a recoilless rifle and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher. Because of earlier experience gained during the development of the rocket-assisted PGN-60 rifle grenade[1] used by the Kbkg wz. 1960 rifle grenade launcher, the project eventually settled on the rocket-propelled grenade design. At this stage, the Polish design team (Z. Zborowski, K. Kowalewski, T. Witczak, Z. Kapustka, A. Perełkowicz, K. Laskowski, Z.Kupidura) was supplemented by a team of Bulgarian scientists from the Military Institute of Research and Development in Sofia, whose task was to develop the rocket engine and the launcher. The prototype was presented in 1973, at the III Central Military Invention and Rationalization Exhibition. At the time, the weapon was designated “HEAT grenade with single use launch tube RPG-73.” A series of prototype launchers was produced in 1980. In the following years, the Polish-Bulgarian cooperation broke down and the development of the launcher continued in Poland only.

Operational history

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The weapon was adopted by the Polish Army in 1985 as the "RPG-76 Komar". With the warhead incapable of penetrating the front armor of modern western tanks it became an auxiliary weapon, not replacing standard issue RPG-7 grenade launchers in infantry squads. It was produced in the Precision works in Niewiadów, Poland. Around 100,000 were manufactured between 1983 and 1995.[2]

In the late 1990s it was withdrawn from front line units and stores due to limited anti-tank capabilities and increased safety demands (a lack of self-destructor).[2] Polish deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan changed this policy, and the weapon was deployed to troops, using the Komar in Iraq and in Afghanistan.[2][3] Polish soldiers also used a small number of heavier multipurpose Carl Gustav recoilless rifles using a variety of modern ammunition types.

The weapon is shipped in wooden crates, each launcher is sealed in an airtight plastic sheet and 6 launchers are placed in each crate.

Komar is an effective anti-personnel weapon, against light armored vehicles and firing posts.

In March 2022, Poland started to deliver surplus RPG-76 to Ukraine as a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[4]

  1. ^ "68mm PGN-60 Rifle Grenade". Collective Awareness to Unexploded Ordnance (CAT-UXO). Retrieved 6 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Remigiusz Wilk (2017). "Lekka broń przeciwpancerna dla WP" [Light anti-tank weapons for Polish Army]. Raport – Wojsko Technika Obronność (in Polish). No. 2/2017. pp. 8–9.
  3. ^ Komar in use
  4. ^ a b "Ukrainian Forces Takes Delivery of Polish RPG-76 Komar Rocket-propelled Grenade". MilitaryLeak. 2022-03-14. Retrieved 2022-03-17.