Will a Fully Automatic Rifle Shred an Incoming RPG Warhead?

In a hypothetical scenario, if one fires a fully automatic rifle directly in the path of an incoming RPG warhead, what would happen? This article explores the potential outcomes and the mechanisms involved, focusing on the specific case of the PG-7G HEAT rocket.

Understanding the PG-7G HEAT Rocket

For this exercise, let's assume the incoming RPG warhead is a PG-7G HEAT rocket. The PG-7G is a high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rocket that utilizes a shaped charge warhead. Its fuze mechanism is crucial in determining the outcome of such a scenario.

How Does an RPG Warhead Function?

The function of an RPG warhead’s fuze is complex and critical. The fuze initiates detonation when it receives specific stress conditions. Here’s a breakdown of the fuze mechanism:

Piezoelectric Crystal: Located in the nose of the rocket, this crystal generates electricity when subjected to stress, such as an impact or vibration. Inner and Outer Cones: These components help transmit the electrical signal to the fuze, initiating detonation. Pyrotechnic Delay: If the electric function fails or the crystal doesn’t receive any stress, a pyrotechnic delay is triggered, causing the warhead to self-destruct after a few seconds.

Understanding this mechanism is key to predicting the outcomes when a fully automatic rifle is fired at the incoming RPG warhead.

Possible Outcomes

When a fully automatic rifle is fired directly at an incoming RPG warhead, there are four possible outcomes:

You Miss: The bullet does not hit the warhead, and the RPG continues its trajectory. You Hit, But No Useful Impact: The bullet hits the warhead but fails to cause any significant damage, merely altering the rocket’s flight path. You Hit and Disrupt Fuze Functionality: The bullet strikes a critical part of the warhead, such as the crystal or inner cone. This disrupts the fuze mechanism and prevents detonation. You Hit and Cause Detonation: The bullet strikes the crystal or a critical part of the fuze, causing an electric current to be sent back to the fuze and detonating the warhead.

These outcomes are determined by the location of the shot and the specific components of the warhead that are hit by the bullet.

Specific Scenario: Detonation and Shredding

In the case where the bullet hits the crystal or another critical part of the fuze, the warhead will detonate. Upon detonation, the shaped charge warhead forms a jet of metal. Contrary to popular belief, this jet is not molten metal but rather a solid metal rod traveling at extremely high velocities. The jet can travel long distances, sometimes up to a couple of miles, although it is less effective at those distances. However, it is still capable of penetrating soft targets or causing significant damage to human flesh.

Other Potential Outcomes

Even if you hit the warhead and prevent detonation, you are not out of the woods. If the rocket is disabled in flight, it is still a projectile capable of causing serious harm. Whether it hits you or misses, you should try to be out of its way to avoid injury or death.

Conclusion

Shooting a fully automatic rifle at an incoming RPG warhead is a complex scenario with multiple potential outcomes. Whether the warhead is shredded, detonates, or is merely diverted, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms involved to assess the risks and potential consequences. Practicing situational awareness and seeking shelter are essential in such situations.

For more information on RPGs and their mechanisms, check out the video explaining the function of the fuze, which can be found here.