RPG-7
From the Metal Gear Wiki
| RPG-7 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Name | RPG-7 |
| Origin |  Soviet Union
|
| Manufacturer | Bazalt & Airtronic USA |
| Appearances | MGS3, MGS4 |
| Weight | 7 kg (15 lb) |
| Length | 950 mm (37 in) |
| Caliber | 40 mm (1.57 in) |
| Muzzle Velocity | 115 m/s |
| Max Range | ~ 920 m (1000 yd) (self detonates) |
The RPG-7 is a portable anti-tank rocket launcher used by Naked Snake during Operation Snake Eater. It is also used by soldiers on the San Hieronymo Peninsula.
[edit] Overview
The RPG-7 (Russian: Ручной Противотанковый Гранатомёт, Ručnoj Protivotankovyj Granatomjët, "Handheld Anti-tank Grenade Launcher") is a Soviet era portable anti-tank rocket launcher. The rocket-propelled grenade ammunition used in the RPG include HEAT (High Explosive Anti Tank), Tandem charge warheads (one charge to break reactive armor and one to pierce the tank's armor), a fragmentation warhead, and a thermobaric warhead. MGS4, however, only includes the HEAT round. The RPG-7 negates most of it's recoil by having the projectile reach maximum velocity after it has been launched; for this reason, the RPG-7 cannot be fired from the prone position. The RPG-7's massive size and bulk prevents Snake from moving with it in his hands this factor, combined with its single-shot capacity, slow reload time, backblast, and explosive ammunition, makes it unsuitable for indoor or close-quarters combat. It is very noisy and the rocket has a travel time, making it unsuitable for use as an antipersonnel weapon. However, the RPG-7 can prove useful for fighting off helicopters and in the battle against the Shagohod. It is very heavy, weighing 6.3 kg (13.9 lbs), the heaviest weapon Snake can carry during Operation Snake Eater. It takes about 5 seconds to reload.
This weapon reprises its role in MGS4, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl as Solid Snake's Forward Smash. He takes the RPG-7 and aims it at the ground directly in front of him, causing an explosion when released. It requires a few seconds to load the warhead, giving enemies a good chance to attack. High knock back, but low range. It is a very good move for finishing off someone. It is the strongest side smash in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
A duplicative variant of this weapon has made an appearance in the original Metal Gear, the RPG-7V. Like the RPG-7, the RPG-7V is a relatively simple antitank weapon. The device consists of a long tube with a firing trigger grip and a front stabilizing handgrip. At the tip of the muzzle a rocket-propelled grenade is mounted. This design traces its history back to the Bazooka-like "Panzerschrek" and disposable "Panzerfaust" throwaway rocket launchers used by Germany in World War II, only the RPG-7V was designed to be both light and reloadable. The weapon has a maximum range between 300-500 meters and has a very light carry weight, favorable for most light infantry units.
Though light, the RPG-7V is not as widely used with the Russian forces as it once was. The newer RPG-18 and RPG-22 (both Russian) disposable LAW (Light Antitank Weapon) rocket systems are far cheaper to carry and maintain than the older, reusable RPG-7V. This is due the fact that the older RPG-7V was developed prior to the US M72 LAW disposable antitank launcher program, and as soon as the then-Soviet Army realized the practicality of such throwaway weapons, the RPG-7V was on its way out. Still, many such weapons can be found in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world.
Despite their age and relatively simple targeting systems (The original RPG-7 has iron sights unlike what is seen in the picture above, while some of the later RPG-7V have simple glass sights, though current Russian versions now have IR and Night vision attachments), they are still reliable in use.
[edit] Location
During Operation Snake Eater, Snake can obtain the RPG-7 in Krasnogorje Mountainside inside a small weapons building near the path leading to the mountaintop. If Snake does not obtain the RPG-7 here, EVA will give one to him during the motorcycle chase.
Old Snake can find an RPG-7 for free, during Act 1 in a small room to the left before the Militia Safehouse, right next to the entrance. Due to it's heavy usage by the milita, the player should not have any trouble finding free ammunition for the RPG.
