Ukraine’s state-run defense production concern UkrOboronProm is setting up the serial production of a new rocket flamethrower RPV-16.
In its July 20 report, the concern’s press service said the weapon was designed by the State Research Institute of Chemical Products based in the city of Shostka some 300 kilometers northeast of Kyiv.
“The flamethrower has passed the final tests and will strengthen the military formations in the nearest time,” the concern of over 130 Ukrainian defense enterprises said.
According to the designers, the RPV-16 is a single-shot, man-portable, tube rocket launcher operating a reacting grenade filled with a special thermobaric mixture. Such weapons, being alternatively called fuel-air explosives, hit targets by creating hyperthermal impulses that feature drastic pressure bumps.
These effects eventually produce powerful extensive detonations that effectively destroy moderately fortified strongpoints.
The weapon’s effective range is 300 meters, while its maximum radius of action is 1,000 meters.
“Upon that, an RPV-16 round’s propellant force equals that of a heavy-caliber artillery shell,” the UkrOboronProm added.
“Therefore this portable weapon is capable of targeting heavily protected manpower, as well as light armor.”
The new Ukrainian-made rocket launcher in many ways resembles the legendary Soviet reactive flamethrower RPO-A Shmel produced since 1988 and still operated by post-Soviet militaries, including Ukraine.
During 1979-1989 Soviet war in Afghanistan, the Shmel was dubbed the “Shaitan Tube” for its fearsome firepower. Today, both Ukrainian army and Russian-backed militants operate it in combat.
An RPV-16 rocket launcher pictures with several 93-millimeters rounds and components. (UkrOboronProm)
