View source for RPG-27

{{Short description|Soviet disposable rocket launcher}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name= RPG-27
| image= Tula State Museum of Weapons (79-58) (cropped) RPG-27.jpg
| image_size= 300
|caption= A RPG-27 rocket launcher on display at the Tula State Museum of Weapons
|origin= [[Soviet Union]], [[Russia]]
|type= Disposable [[rocket launcher]]<ref name="Janes review">{{cite journal |title=Jane's international defence review: IDR |volume=37 |issue=1–6 |pages=226, 228 |year=2004|publisher=Jane's Information Group |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=neG5AAAAIAAJ&q=%22rpg-27%22%26dq%3D%22rpg-27%22%26hl%3Den%26ei%3D0Ng7TaDKOsvngQf8xKTlCA |access-date=23 January 2011}}</ref>
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_explosive=yes
|is_artillery=yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service= 1989–present
|used_by=See ''[[#Operators|Operators]]''
|wars=[[War in Donbas]]<ref name="UNIAN">{{cite news |title=Ukrainian positions in Donbas shelled by deadly Russian RPG-27 Tavolga |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |url=https://www.unian.info/war/2077676-ukrainian-positions-in-donbas-shelled-by-deadly-russian-rpg-27-tavolga.html |work=[[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]] |location=[[Kyiv]] |date=11 August 2017 |access-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109174724/https://www.unian.info/war/2077676-ukrainian-positions-in-donbas-shelled-by-deadly-russian-rpg-27-tavolga.html |archive-date=9 November 2018}}</ref><br>[[Syrian Civil War]]
<!-- Production history -->
|designer= State Research and Production Enterprise, [[Bazalt]]
|design_date=1980s
|manufacturer= State Research and Production Enterprise, Bazalt
|production_date=1989<ref name="UNIAN"/>
|number=
|variants= RShG-1<br/>RMG
<!-- General specifications -->
|weight= {{convert|7.6|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|length= {{convert|1155|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|part_length=
|crew=
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=
|caliber= {{convert|105|mm|in|abbr=on}}
|action= {{convert|750|mm|in|abbr=on}}: [[Rolled homogeneous armour|RHA]]<br/>{{convert|650|mm|in|abbr=on}}: [[Rolled homogeneous armour|RHA]] after [[Explosive reactive armour|ERA]]<br/>{{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}: reinforced concrete<br/>{{convert|3.7|m|ft|abbr=on}}: earth
|rate=
|velocity= {{convert|120|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
|range= {{convert|200|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|max_range=
|feed=
|sights= [[Iron sights]]
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
|diameter=
|filling=
|filling_weight=
|detonation=
|yield=
}}
The '''RPG-27''', also nicknamed as the "Tavolga" ({{Langx|ru|Таволга|4=Meadow grass}}), is a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] single shot disposable [[rocket-propelled grenade]] (RPG) [[shoulder-fired missile]] and [[rocket launcher]], entering service with the [[Soviet Army]] in 1989.<ref name="UNIAN"/>

==History==
The RPG-27 ''Tavolga'' ('meadow grass') was developed by the State Research and Production Enterprise, [[Bazalt]], as a modern, [[Anti-tank warfare|anti-tank]] [[grenade launcher]] with a one-stage [[rocket]], designed to defeat modern and future tanks with advanced [[Reactive armour|reactive]] and [[composite armor]], and fortified [[infantry]].<ref name="Janes">{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jiw/jiw_0776.html |title=RPG-27 Tavolga anti-tank rocket launcher (Russian Federation), Anti-tank Weapons |work=Jane's Infantry Weapons |access-date=2008-12-06 |date=2008-01-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228222017/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jiw/jiw_0776.html |archive-date=February 28, 2009}}</ref>

=== Usage ===
On [[1 May 2015 Jalisco attacks|May 1, 2015]], members of the [[Jalisco New Generation Cartel]] (CJNG) used an RPG-27 to shoot down a Mexican Air Force Eurocopter EC725 Cougar helicopter during an operation targeting cartel leader El Mencho. The rocket hit the tail, causing the helicopter to spin and crash, killing nine personnel on board.<ref>{{Cite web |title=La caída del helicóptero militar en Jalisco |url=http://www.milenio.com/policia/la-caida-del-helicoptero-militar-en-jalisco |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815201220/http://www.milenio.com/policia/la-caida-del-helicoptero-militar-en-jalisco |archive-date=2018-08-15 |access-date=2025-09-14 |website=www.milenio.com}}</ref>

==Description==
{{See also|RPG-26}}
The RPG-27 shares a close resemblance to the prior [[RPG-26]] in that it is a man-portable, disposable anti-tank grenade launcher with a single shot capacity.

The RPG-27 has a larger diameter round than the RPG-26, which enables higher armour penetration.

The RPG-27 [[Rudder|fin stabilised]] round is a 105&nbsp;mm [[tandem-charge]] [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT) warhead with a range of {{convert|200|m|ft}}.

The round has a stated penetration ability in excess of {{convert|650|mm|in}} of [[rolled homogeneous armour]] (RHA) (after [[explosive reactive armour]] (ERA) and {{convert|1500|mm|in}} of brick or concrete and {{convert|3.7|m|ft}} of earth.

==Variants==

=== RShG-1 ===
The RShG-1 ({{Langx|ru|Реактивная Штурмовая Граната-1|Reaktivnaya Shturmovaya Granata-1|Rocket-propelled Assault Grenade-1}}) ''Tavolga-1'' (Таволга-1) is a variant of RPG-27 with [[Thermobaric weapon|thermobaric]] warhead.

The RShG-1 is intended to be used against soft skinned and lightly armored vehicles, buildings, military installations and infantry.

The RShG-1 is very similar in operation to the RPG-27. It has a lethal radius of {{convert|10|m|ft}} and a larger sighting range of {{convert|600|m|ft}}. The warhead contains {{convert|1.9|kg|lb}} of thermobaric mixture, with an explosive yield roughly equal to that of {{convert|8|kg|lb}} of TNT. Officially adopted by the Russian Government in December 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vpk.name/news/62946_na_vooruzhenie_vs_rf_prinyato_neskolko_izdelii_fgup_gnpp_bazalt.html|title = На вооружение ВС РФ принято несколько изделий ФГУП «ГНПП «Базальт»| date=31 December 2011 }}</ref>

=== RMG ===
The RMG ({{Langx|ru|Реактивная Многоцелевая Граната|Reaktivnaya Mnogotselevaya Granata|Rocket-propelled multi-purpose grenade}}) rocket launcher was developed by Bazalt in the early 2000s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://modernfirearms.net/en/grenade-launchers/russia-grenade-launchers/rmg-eng/ |title=RMG: Modern Firearms |date=28 October 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://weaponsystems.net/weaponsystem/BB04%20-%20RPG-27.html |title=RPG-27 Tavolga: Weaponsystems.net}}</ref>

The RMG is a smaller, multipurpose variant of the RShG-1 that is optimized as a [[bunker buster]] and to defeat light vehicles and infantry in cover. As a result, its penetration performance against tank armor is reduced.

The RMG launcher carries a tandem warhead. The precursor HEAT warhead penetrates armour or other obstacles (reinforced concrete, masonry, etc.). The aerosol produced by the main thermobaric warhead enters the target through the opening created by the precursor charge and combusts, producing high-explosive and incendiary effects.

The launcher and round share the same designation, as is standard for disposable rocket launchers. S. Kh. Irtuganov was the lead designer for the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gunsru.ru/rg_granatomet_rmg_eng.html |title=RMG multi-purpose rocket weapon |publisher= |access-date=23 November 2014}}</ref> It was officially adopted by the Russian Government in December 2011.

==Operators==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please add no entries to this list without citation from a reliable source. All entries without citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

[[File:RPG-27 operators.png|thumb|upright=1.35|Operators {{legend|#0360d5|Current}}{{legend|#dd001e|Former}}]]

===Current operators===
* {{flaglist|Houthis}}<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Williams |first1=Ian |last2=Shaikh |first2=Shaan |title=Appendix: The Houthi Missile Arsenal |journal=The Missile War in Yemen |date=2020 |pages=34–52 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep24837.15 |access-date=19 August 2024 |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)}}</ref>
* {{flag|Iran}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-27 |title=Iranian Anti-Tank Weapons Are Multiplying |url=https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2021/06/27/iranian-anti-tank-weapons-are-multiplying/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627110217/https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2021/06/27/iranian-anti-tank-weapons-are-multiplying/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=June 27, 2021 |access-date=2024-07-25 |website=21st Century Asian Arms Race |language=en}}</ref>
* {{flag|Jordan}}<ref name="UNIAN" />
* {{flag|Russia}}<ref name="UNIAN"/>
* {{flag|Syria}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/war_noir/status/1603404048421511169?t=6t8FOvOQC8nyw6wsWeLYhA&s=19 #Syria 🇸🇾: #SAA have captured large quantity of weapons and materials in a tunnel allegedly used by #ISIS militants in #DeirEzZor. Apparently a rare MILAN anti-tank guided missile, RPG-27 anti-tank weapon and a RPO-A 'Shmel' thermobaric rocket launcher (fired) can be seen.]</ref>
* {{flag|Transnistria}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Маленькая и малобоеспособная: Еженедельник «Военно-промышленный курьер» |url=https://vpk-news.ru/articles/14870 |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=vpk-news.ru |archive-date=2020-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031134336/https://vpk-news.ru/articles/14870 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Former operators===
* {{flag|Soviet Union}}<ref name="UNIAN"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.rusarm.ru/cataloque/lanforces_cataloque.html Rosaboronexport Catalogue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111043419/http://www.rusarm.ru/cataloque/lanforces_cataloque.html |date=2007-01-11 }}

{{Russian RPG series}}

[[Category:Anti-tank rockets]]
[[Category:Cold War anti-tank rockets of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Rocket-propelled grenade launchers of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Bazalt products]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s]]