A hand grenade launcher is an infantryman's personal weapon against a tank or other type of armored vehicle. It was for this purpose that the grenade launcher was invented. A typical representative of hand-held anti-tank rocket launchers was the RPG-28, which was developed in the new millennium and is capable of destroying even the newest tanks equipped with modern armor and various means of protection.
History of creation and description of the RPG-28 grenade launcher
The main, and perhaps the only, developer of grenade launchers in Russia is NPP "Basalt". This company has a glorious history and is the creator of many types of unique anti-tank weapons. It was at this enterprise that the legendary RPG-7 grenade launcher was created and for a long time was produced. This weapon is still in service with the Russian army, took part in all the conflicts of the second half of the twentieth century, and did an excellent job with tanks and other armored vehicles.
But the RPG-7 is already outdated. Design thought does not stand still, and the protection of modern tanks has leaped forward. Now the tanks are protected by multi-layer armor, have dynamic and active protection systems. The old grenade types of this grenade launcher are powerless against them. In Iraq, American and British tanks after fifteen hits from the RPG-7 left the battlefield under their own power.
At the beginning of the zero years of this century, the development of a fundamentally new anti-tank complex, which could successfully withstand modern tanks, began in the SPE Basalt. In 2007, Bazalt presented a new RPG-28 Kryukva grenade launcher. This complex was specially created for the destruction of modern and advanced tanks, even equipped with dynamic protection, multi-layered booking system. Also, with the help of this grenade launcher, it is possible to fight the enemy infantry and destroy light field fortifications.
The RPG-28 "Cranberry" is a disposable grenade launcher with a grenade that has a tandem-shaped cumulative warhead. The grenade is placed in a fiberglass container, which also serves as a starting device. The container has a trigger mechanism and sights. The trigger mechanism is blocked by a check that must be removed before firing. Then he cocked and after that there is a shot.
The RPG-28 is ranked as a high power system, and therefore a grenade launcher, and weighs decently. For the convenience of the fighter, an emphasis is placed on the container tube for the shoulder, and a folding handle is installed at the bottom. Shooting from the RPG-28 is carried out from the shoulder. An optical sight is mounted on the Klukva. Front and rear tube-container is closed with rubber caps. You do not need to shoot them before shooting.
The RPG-28 is armed with a grenade with a tandem-shaped cumulative warhead. The first part works against dynamic protection, and the second - breaks through the armor. The powder jet engine is completely burned out even in the grenade launcher barrel, after departure from the barrel the grenade is stabilized with the help of stabilizers that unfold at the moment of leaving the bore. Also, the grenade is stabilized by rotating around its own axis.
The RPG-28 shows tremendous results - a grenade breaks through homogeneous armor 900 mm thick.
During the shot, a dangerous zone with a depth of thirty meters is formed behind the grenade thrower. Although this is a minus of all grenade launchers and recoilless guns.
Characteristics of the RPG-28 "Cranberry"
Below are the tactical and technical characteristics of the RPG-28 manual grenade launcher.
| Caliber, mm | 125 |
| Length mm | 1200 |
| Weight, kg | 12 |
| Sighting range, m | 300 |
| Penetration, mm: | |
| steel behind dynamic protection | 900 |
| brickwork | 3000 |
| Reinforced concrete | 2400 |
Video: shot from RPG-28
The following can be noted: RPG-28 "Kryukva" is one of the most advanced grenade launchers that are in service with the Russian army. It is ideal for modern combat and can work effectively against the newest tanks of the enemy. According to its characteristics, it is not inferior to foreign analogues, and even surpasses them. This grenade launcher complex "taught" first of all to effectively fight against new types of armor made of composite materials, as well as built-in and mounted dynamic protection. This grenade launcher can successfully hit all types of tanks that are currently in service with the leading world powers.
