Soviet made, the rocket-propelled grenade launcher fires a rocket out of a tube. The launcher rests on the firer's shoulder. The rocket is percussion fired and the gasses escape the nozzle at a high velocity. This causes the rocket to launch. Just as the rocket emerges from the tube, large fins spring out from the rocket. These fins along with a motor on the rocket allows the missile to travel a great distance. Often used as an anti-tank weapon, the Somalis used an RPG to down the Blackhawk.

		RPG-7V Calibre: launcher, 40mm Length: launcher, 950mm Weight: launcher with sight, 6.9 kg Muzzle Velocity: 120 m/s Max flight velocity: 300 m/s Range: moving targets, 300 m; stationary target 500m Armour pentration: see text

		Kovrov Mechanical Plant, Vladimir Region, Russia SRPE Bazalt, Moscow, Russia

Source: Jane's Infantry Weapons, 24th Edition 1998-99.