The RPG-29 Vampir (Cyrillic: Вампир, lit. "vampire"), also known as the TKB-0175, is a Russian rocket launcher.

History

The RPG-29 was developed in the late 1980s alongside the RPG-26, and entered service around the same time as the RPG-26.

Design Details

The RPG-29 is a shoulder-launched, unguided, tube-style, breech-loading anti-tank rocket system with a range of 500 meters, designed to be carried and operated by a single soldier. On the top of the launch tube is a 1P38 optical sight with a magnification of 2.7x. When launched, the missile deploys eight fins as the rocket leaves the launcher, stabilizing the rocket during flight up to a range of 500 meters. The RPG-29 is unusual among Russian anti-tank rocket launchers in that it lacks an initial propellant charge to place the projectile at a safe distance from the operator before the rocket ignites; the rocket engine starts as soon as the trigger is pulled, and burns out just before the projectile leaves the barrel. On the bottom of the tube is a shoulder brace for proper positioning along with a pistol grip trigger mechanism. The 1PN51-2 night vision optic can be fitted in place of the actual sighting mechanism.

Ammunition

The RPG-29 uses two types of the PG-29 round; the PG-29V tandem warhead and TBG-29V thermobaric warheads, both 105mm shaped warheads. The PG-29V round has a stated penetration capability in excess of 750 millimeters (29.5 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor, 600 millimeters (23.6 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor after explosive reactive armor effects, 1500 millimeters (59.1 inches) of brick or reinforced concrete, or 3700 millimeters (145.7 inches) of reinforced log and earth fortifications.

References