Could an RPG-7 Penetrate the Armor of the Maus Tank?

The RPG-7, a portable anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher, has been an iconic weapon since its introduction in the 1960s. Meanwhile, the Panzer VIII Maus, a WWII super-heavy tank, boasted impressive armor designed to resist even the most powerful contemporary anti-tank weaponry. This article explores the feasibility of an RPG-7 penetrating the armor of the Maus tank.

Armor Characteristics of the Maus Tank

Maus Armor:

The Maus tank had exceptional armor, with its frontal armor reaching up to 240 mm (9.4 inches) in thickness, consisting of high-quality steel. It was designed to withstand hits from most contemporary anti-tank weapons of its time, highlighting its formidable defensive capabilities.

Capabilities of the RPG-7 Rocket

RPG-7:

The RPG-7 typically fires a variety of warheads, including the PG-7V shaped charge, which is designed to maximize penetration against armor. Against modern armor, the effective penetration of the RPG-7 is approximately 300 mm (11.8 inches) of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) at optimal angles.

Impact Assessment: Direct Hit on the Maus

Potential Penetration:

A direct hit from an RPG-7 on the Maus’s front armor is extremely unlikely to result in penetration. The tank’s armor thickness, combined with its high-quality construction, proves to be a formidable obstacle for the RPG-7’s shaped charge warhead.

Potential Damage:

If the impact is not at an optimal angle, the RPG-7 may still cause minor damage to external components, such as optics or tracks. However, it is highly improbable that the powerful shockwave generated would significantly compromise the Maus's structural integrity.

Specific RPG-7 Warheads and Their Effectiveness

Let's examine the specific warheads that the RPG-7 can launch and their potential impact on the Maus:

PG-7VM: Anti-tank HEAT Round

This standard RPG-7 anti-tank round has a nominal armor penetration capability of 300 mm. Given that the Maus’s frontal armor is 220 mm thick, this round is likely to penetrate the Maus’s armor, causing significant internal damage.

PG-7VL: High Penetration HEAT Round

Designed for heavily armored targets, the PG-7VL round boasts a nominal penetration of 500 mm. This makes it a definite penetrator of the Maus’s armor, even at non-optimal angles.

PG-7VR: High Penetration Tandem HEAT Round

Capable of penetrating reactive armor with a nominal penetration of 650 mm, this round is particularly dangerous. At a 90-degree impact angle, it could potentially penetrate more than twice the thickness of the Maus’s armor.

TBG-7V: Thermobaric Round

The thermobaric round, while not designed for armor penetration, can cause significant effects within a 10m radius due to a high-pressure thermal blast. This can kill anyone in close proximity but would be too weak to penetrate 220mm of armor.

OG-7V: Shrapnel Round

This round is an anti-infantry weapon, making it ineffective against armored targets as it primarily releases shrapnel.

Conclusion

Despite the formidable reputation of the RPG-7, it would struggle to penetrate the armor of the Maus tank, especially when striking its front armor. The Maus’s robust design indicates a high resistance to penetration, making it a highly resilient target for anti-tank weapons. While certain warheads like the PG-7VM, PG-7VL, and PG-7VR could potentially cause significant internal damage, the overall structural integrity of the Maus would remain intact.