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Subject:
RE:RPG Vs. AT-4
WFG
6/16/2004 2:20:14 PM
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An honest comparison of the RPG system as opposed to the AT-4 I believe would show the RPG to be a superior weapon. See the following:
The RPG-7 is a recoilless, shoulder-fired, muzzle-loaded, reloadable, antitank grenade launcher. It fires a variety of 85-mm rocket-assisted grenades from a 40-mm smoothbore launcher tube. The launcher has two hand grips; a large optical sight; a thick, wooden heat guard around the middle; and a large, flared blast shield at the rear of the tube. The launcher is 953 mm long without grenade and 1,340 mm with grenade. The launcher weighs 7.9 kg and the grenade 2.25 kg.
The RPG-7 is light enough to be carried and fired by one person. However, an assistant grenadier normally deploys to the left of the gunner to protect him from small arms fire.
The internal rocket motor of the PG-7 grenade ignites after traveling 10 meters, giving the projectile higher velocity (sustained out to 500 meters), flatter trajectory, and better accuracy. Accuracy is further enhanced by four large, knife-like fins at the rear of the projectile which unfold when the round leaves the tube, and by smaller, offset fins at the very rear which produce a slow rotation. The maximum effective range is 500 meters for stationary targets and 300 meters for moving targets. Maximum range is 920 meters at which point the projectile self-destructs. The PG-7 grenade, with a shaped-charge warhead, has very good armor penetration (330 mm), capable of defeating all known armored vehicles.
The RPG-7V model can be fitted with a telescope and both infrared and passive night sights. All RPG-7 models have an optical sight which can be illuminated for night sighting, and open sights are provided for emergency use.
Reloading and re-aiming the RPG-7 requires a minimum of 14 seconds. A great advantage over the AT-4 since it is a one-shot disposible round.
The M136 AT4 is a lightweight, self-contained, antiarmor weapon consisting of a free-flight, fin-stabilized, rocket-type cartridge packed in a one-piece, fiberglass-wrapped tube. The M136 AT4 is man-portable and is fired from the right shoulder only (does not have left hand fire capability like RPG). Unlike the M72-series LAW, the M136 AT4 launcher need not be extended before firing which means that it's not only heavier, it is also rather akward to carry.
Though the M136 AT4 can be employed in limited visibility, the firer must be able to see and identify the target and estimate the range to it. Subsequent to the initial fielding of the weapon, a reusable night sight bracket was developed and fielded. It permits utilization of standard night vision equipment which proved to be impraticle and ineffective. The system's tactical engagement range is only 250 meters as opposed to the RPGs 300/500. The system weighs 15 pounds and can be utilized effectively with minimal training.
The M136 AT4's warhead is claimed to have excellent penetration ability and lethal after-armor effects. The shaped-charge explosive penetrates more than 14 inches (35.6 cm) of armor at a 0% angle. I have seen these fired at M60A3 hulks and several hits on the flank of the turret yielded no penitration. So, these claims are questionable in my view.
Bottom line, the RPG is very easy to use, reliable, versitile, reloadable, and can be fired from an enclosed area do to the use of the booster rocket. One man can easily carry 4 rds. and the normal crew of two can carry 8-9. The remaining members of a rifle squad can carry LAW/ RPG-23 type disposible weapons greatly increasing the AT capability of the squad.
The AT-4 wieghs roughly the same as the RPG with only one shot capability, is only right hand fire, has shorter range, limited to one round type, is louder, and the flip-up sights are easily broken.
This is not conclusive but, having fired both and seen what they can do, I tend to lean toward the RPG.
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