PG-2 Rocket-Propelled Anti-Tank Grenade

1. Overview

The PG-2 (Protivotankovaya Granata-2, or Anti-Tank Grenade Model 2) represents the first generation of Soviet rocket-propelled anti-tank grenades designed for the RPG-2 launcher system, though it established design principles that influenced the entire RPG family. This pioneering HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) round introduced the concept of a lightweight, man-portable shaped charge weapon that could defeat armored vehicles at close range. The PG-2 demonstrated that infantry could effectively engage tanks without requiring heavy anti-tank guns, fundamentally changing infantry anti-armor doctrine worldwide.

2. Country/Bloc of Origin

  • Primary Developer: Soviet Union
  • Development Period: Late 1940s, entering service in 1949
  • Design Bureau: GSKB-47 (later became Bazalt)
  • International Production: Licensed production in China (Type 56), North Korea, and various Warsaw Pact nations
  • Influence: The PG-2’s design philosophy directly led to the development of the more advanced PG-7 series for the RPG-7 system

3. Ordnance Class

  • Type: Rocket-propelled grenade (anti-tank)
  • Primary Role: Anti-armor, specifically designed to defeat medium tanks of the immediate post-WWII era
  • Delivery Method: Shoulder-fired from the RPG-2 launcher
  • Warhead Type: HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) shaped charge
  • Category: Man-portable anti-tank weapon projectile

4. Ordnance Family / Nomenclature

  • Official Designation: PG-2 (ПГ-2 in Cyrillic)
  • Full Name: Protivotankovaya Granata-2 (Противотанковая Граната-2)
  • Associated Launcher: RPG-2 (Ruchnoy Protivotankovyy Granatomyot-2)
  • Chinese Variant: Type 56 anti-tank grenade (for Type 56 RPG)
  • Related Systems: Predecessor to the PG-7 family; influenced by German Panzerfaust designs
  • NATO Reporting: Generally referred to by Soviet designation
  • Propellant Charge Designation: PG-2 uses an integral black powder booster charge

5. Hazards

Primary Hazards:

  • Shaped charge jet capable of penetrating approximately 180mm of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA)
  • Blast overpressure in confined spaces
  • Fragmentation from grenade body upon detonation
  • Rocket motor exhaust burns and backblast danger zone

Sensitivity Considerations:

  • Piezoelectric fuze is impact-sensitive once armed
  • Relatively stable during transport when fuze is in safe position
  • Aging propellant may become unstable in deteriorated specimens
  • Sensitivity increases if the round has been subjected to rough handling

Environmental Factors:

  • Propellant degradation in high humidity environments
  • Fuze reliability affected by extreme cold (below -40°C)
  • Extended exposure to moisture can compromise explosive fill

UXO Considerations:

  • Unexploded PG-2 rounds may have armed fuzes
  • Impact angle failures (oblique strikes) can result in duds
  • Corroded specimens are extremely dangerous due to unpredictable fuze condition
  • Never attempt to disarm; maintain minimum 300-meter exclusion zone

Kill/Injury Radius:

  • Lethal fragmentation radius: approximately 10-15 meters
  • Danger zone for backblast: 15 meters behind launcher

6. Key Identification Features

Dimensions:

  • Overall Length: approximately 500mm (19.7 inches)
  • Warhead Diameter: 82mm (3.2 inches)
  • Total Weight: approximately 1.84 kg (4.1 lbs)
  • Warhead Weight: approximately 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs)

Physical Characteristics:

  • Distinctive oversized ogive-shaped warhead compared to tail assembly
  • Six spring-loaded stabilizer fins that deploy upon leaving the launcher tube
  • Smooth, rounded nose section housing the piezoelectric fuze
  • Cylindrical tail boom with propellant charge
  • Steel construction for warhead body

Color and Markings:

  • Typically olive drab or dark green overall
  • Black or dark gray propellant section
  • Stenciled markings in Cyrillic indicating lot number, date of manufacture, and factory code
  • Some variants may have colored bands indicating specific lot or variant information
  • Chinese variants feature Chinese characters and different color schemes

Distinctive Features:

  • Large standoff probe at the nose (ensures optimal detonation distance for shaped charge)
  • Visible seam where warhead joins the tail section
  • Finned tail section remains folded until firing
  • Smaller overall profile compared to later PG-7 series rounds

7. Fuzing Mechanisms

Primary Fuze:

  • Type: VP-2 piezoelectric impact fuze
  • Mechanism: Generates electrical charge upon impact to initiate detonator

Arming Sequence:

  1. Round is loaded into RPG-2 launcher
  2. Upon firing, setback forces and acceleration arm the fuze
  3. Fin deployment indicates the round is in flight and arming has occurred
  4. Minimum arming distance: approximately 5-11 meters from muzzle

Safety Features:

  • Fuze remains in safe position until firing acceleration is experienced
  • Mechanical safety prevents detonation from accidental drops (under normal conditions)
  • Requires specific G-forces from launch to begin arming sequence

Detonation:

  • Impact with target compresses piezoelectric element
  • Generated electrical current fires the detonator
  • Detonator initiates booster charge
  • Booster detonates main shaped charge explosive fill

Failure Modes:

  • Low-angle impacts may not generate sufficient piezoelectric charge
  • Soft targets (sandbags, brush) may not provide adequate resistance
  • Aged piezoelectric elements may fail to generate sufficient current
  • Extreme cold can affect piezoelectric sensitivity

8. History of Development and Use

Development Background: The PG-2 emerged from Soviet analysis of World War II anti-tank warfare, particularly the effectiveness of German Panzerfaust and American Bazooka weapons. Soviet designers sought to create a simple, inexpensive, yet effective weapon that could be produced in massive quantities and operated by minimally trained infantry.

Timeline:

  • 1947-1948: Development begins at GSKB-47 under lead designer Sergei G. Simonov (launcher) with warhead development by separate teams
  • 1949: PG-2 and RPG-2 system officially adopted by Soviet Army
  • 1950s: Widespread distribution throughout Soviet forces and Warsaw Pact allies
  • 1950-1953: Combat debut during Korean War, used by Chinese and North Korean forces
  • 1960s: Gradually supplemented by the more capable PG-7/RPG-7 system
  • 1970s onward: Relegated to reserve stocks but continued in service with many nations

Combat History:

  • Korean War (1950-1953): First major combat use; effective against UN armored vehicles
  • Vietnam War (1955-1975): Extensively used by Viet Cong and NVA forces
  • Arab-Israeli Conflicts: Used by Egyptian and Syrian forces
  • Numerous African and Asian conflicts: Remained in use due to simplicity and availability

Production and Distribution:

  • Produced in millions of units across Soviet bloc nations
  • Exported to over 40 countries worldwide
  • Chinese Type 56 variant produced in even larger numbers
  • Stocks remain in arsenals and conflict zones globally

Legacy: The PG-2 proved that a simple, man-portable system could provide effective anti-armor capability to regular infantry. Its success led directly to the development of the more sophisticated PG-7 series and established the RPG concept that remains relevant in modern warfare.

9. Technical Specifications

SpecificationValue
Caliber82mm (warhead) / 40mm (tail)
Overall Length~500mm
Weight (Complete)1.84 kg
Warhead Weight~1.5 kg
Explosive FillTNT/RDX mixture (~0.5 kg)
Armor Penetration~180mm RHA at 0°
Muzzle Velocity~84 m/s
Maximum Effective Range100-150 meters
Maximum Range~200 meters
Arming Distance5-11 meters
Operating Temperature-40°C to +50°C
Shaped Charge LinerCopper

10. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does the PG-2 differ from later PG-7 series rounds? A: The PG-2 was designed for the earlier RPG-2 launcher and features a smaller 82mm warhead compared to the PG-7V’s 85mm warhead. More significantly, the PG-2 relies solely on its launch charge for propulsion, while PG-7 series rounds incorporate a sustainer rocket motor that ignites after leaving the launcher, providing greater range and velocity. The PG-2’s effective range of 100-150 meters is substantially less than the PG-7V’s 300+ meter effective range.

Q: Why is the PG-2 still encountered in modern conflict zones despite being obsolete? A: The PG-2 remains prevalent due to several factors: massive Cold War-era production numbers, extreme durability when properly stored, simplicity that requires minimal training, and continued manufacture of copies in various countries. Additionally, against unarmored or lightly armored vehicles, soft targets, and fortifications, the PG-2 remains effective regardless of its age, making it a persistent threat in irregular warfare.

Q: What is the purpose of the standoff probe on the nose of the PG-2? A: The standoff probe ensures the shaped charge detonates at the optimal distance from the target surface. Shaped charges require a specific standoff distance to allow the metal jet to fully form before striking the armor. Detonating too close or too far from the target significantly reduces penetration capability. The probe length is precisely calculated to maximize the PG-2’s armor-defeating potential.

Q: Can the PG-2 be fired from an RPG-7 launcher? A: No, the PG-2 is not compatible with the RPG-7. While both systems share conceptual similarities, they have different launcher tube diameters (40mm for RPG-2 vs. 40mm inserter with 70mm warhead pass-through for RPG-7), different propellant systems, and incompatible booster charge arrangements. Attempting to use PG-2 rounds in RPG-7 launchers would be extremely dangerous and ineffective.

Q: How should unexploded PG-2 rounds be handled if encountered? A: Unexploded PG-2 rounds should never be touched, moved, or approached. The piezoelectric fuze may be in an armed state, and any disturbance could cause detonation. Establish a minimum 300-meter exclusion zone, mark the location if safely possible, evacuate all personnel, and immediately notify military EOD or appropriate demining authorities. Document the location with GPS coordinates if available, but prioritize personal safety above all else.

Q: What made the RPG-2/PG-2 system revolutionary for its time? A: The RPG-2/PG-2 system represented a paradigm shift in infantry anti-tank capability. Previous infantry anti-tank weapons were either heavy (anti-tank rifles, recoilless rifles) or single-use (Panzerfaust). The RPG-2 combined a reusable, lightweight launcher with effective, inexpensive ammunition that could be carried in quantity. This allowed small infantry units to threaten even main battle tanks, fundamentally altering combined arms doctrine and proving that armor dominance could be challenged by properly equipped infantry.

Q: Why does the PG-2 use a piezoelectric fuze rather than a mechanical impact fuze? A: Piezoelectric fuzes offer several advantages for shaped charge warheads: they respond extremely quickly to impact (microseconds), ensuring detonation occurs before the warhead structure is deformed by contact with armor; they are relatively insensitive to set-back forces during launch, improving safety; and they have no mechanical safeties that could malfunction. The instantaneous response is critical for shaped charges, where even milliseconds of delay would allow the copper liner to be disrupted before the jet fully forms.

Q: How effective is the PG-2 against modern armored vehicles? A: Against modern main battle tanks with composite armor, reactive armor, or active protection systems, the PG-2’s 180mm penetration is inadequate for frontal or even most side armor defeats. However, it remains capable against armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, unarmored vehicles, and older tank designs. Top and rear attacks may still achieve mobility or firepower kills on modern tanks. The PG-2 also retains full effectiveness against bunkers, buildings, and personnel in the open.

This document is intended for educational and training purposes in ordnance identification and safety. All ordnance should be considered dangerous until rendered safe by qualified EOD personnel. Never handle suspected unexploded ordnance.