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RGP-40
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The RGP-40 (Ręczny Granatnik Powtarzalny 40 mm - 40 mm handheld repeating grenade launcher) is a Polish six-shot revolver-type 40 mm grenade launcher designed by WAT and OBR SM Tarnów and produced by ZM Tarnów. Its design is heavily influenced by the M32 MGL.
Key Information
History
[edit]The first prototype was created in 2008 and was revealed during the MSPO 2008 Kielce exhibition. The weapon is visually similar to the South African Milkor MGL, especially the M32 MGL variant. Its final mass production design may be different from the proposed prototype. It is planned to replace the stock with a grenade launcher-specific proprietary telescoping stock, among some other things used in the prototype to improve ergonomics and functionality.
According to plans, the main recipient of RGP-40 would be the Polish Armed Forces, which according to the estimates, would require about 500 multiple-shot grenade launchers. Other potential buyers of this weapon can also be Police, Prison Service and other Law Enforcement forces that need weapons with high firepower capable of firing tear gas and non-lethal ammunition.[1]
Polish Army ordered 200 RGP-40 in 2016, but eventually refused to accept manufactured grenade launchers, considering them as not meeting Army requirements.[2] Three RGP-40 were bought in 2017 by Polish Police.[2]
During the prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in early 2022 a batch of stored RGP-40 was given by Polish government to Ukraine, and then used by Ukrainian Ground Forces.[3]
Design
[edit]
The RGP-40 is a shoulder-fired 40 mm grenade launcher with a six-round spring-driven revolver-style magazine capable of accepting most 40×46mm grenades. The spring-driven cylinder rotates automatically 60° while firing, but it must be wound back up after every reloading.
The main element of the weapon is the frame to which a revolver-style magazine is attached. While shooting the drum is rotated 60 degrees by the springs wound back up when loading the cartridges into weapon.
The magazine is capable of holding six rounds. Chamber of cartridge has a length of 140 mm, which allows the user to use both combat ammunition and special longer cartridges.
Before loading cartridges, the magazine must be rotated to left or right (Magazine is of Swing-out type cylinder type).
RGP-40 uses a double-action trigger. To prevent accidental engagement and firing, there is an ambidextrous safety selector at the top of pistol grip.
RGP-40 is equipped with a Picatinny rail on top of the magazine and three rails surrounding the barrel. It is also equipped with a telescopic buttstock that can be rotated vertically for better weapon handling.[1]
Users
[edit]
Ukraine: Donated by Poland in the prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "e-RAPORT MSPO 1/2008 - Granatnik rewolwerowy z Tarnowa - Altair Agencja Lotnicza". www.altair.com.pl. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-03-19.
- ^ a b Łukasz Pacholski (29 June 2021). "Co dalej z granatnikami RGP-40?" [What next with RGP-40 grenade launchers?] (in Polish). zbiam.pl. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
- ^ a b "Kolejna polska broń na Ukrainie" (in Polish). May 10, 2022.
External links
[edit]RGP-40
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Development and History
Origins and Early Development
The RGP-40 revolver grenade launcher emerged from a mid-2000s requirement by the Polish Land Forces for an individual multi-shot weapon capable of delivering 40 mm grenades, addressing limitations in existing single-shot systems like the pallad grenade launcher. Development was led by Zakłady Mechaniczne "Tarnów" S.A. (ZM Tarnów), Poland's state-owned arms manufacturer, in collaboration with the Military Technical Academy (WAT) and the Office for Research and Development of Mechanical Equipment (OBR SM Tarnów). This effort aimed to produce a portable, six-shot system using NATO-standard 40x46 mm low-velocity ammunition, marking Poland's first indigenous multi-barrel grenade launcher design.[2][4] The initial prototype was completed in 2008, featuring a revolving cylinder mechanism inspired by foreign designs such as the South African Milkor MGL, but adapted for Polish production standards and ergonomics suited to infantry use. This prototype was publicly unveiled at the MSPO 2008 defense exhibition in Kielce, where it demonstrated semi-automatic firing and compatibility with standard grenade types for anti-personnel and less-lethal roles. Early testing focused on reliability, weight reduction to under 7 kg unloaded, and integration with Polish small arms, though full operational capability required further refinements over the subsequent years.[4][5] By 2010, iterative prototypes appeared at subsequent MSPO events, incorporating feedback on cylinder loading mechanisms and Picatinny rail accessories for optics and aiming devices, paving the way for military evaluations. These developments prioritized ruggedness for field conditions and ease of maintenance, with ZM Tarnów handling production scaling amid Poland's modernization of special forces and conventional units. The design's evolution emphasized cost-effective manufacturing using local materials, avoiding reliance on imported components.[2][5]Testing and Adoption in Polish Military
The RGP-40 underwent initial functional testing of a model in 2008, evaluating durability using overpowered ammunition (two shots per chamber), reliability, ergonomics, and accuracy at ranges of 50 to 100 meters.[2] Prototypes were subjected to safety assessments, accuracy trials at 100 meters (325-350 meters effective with high-explosive rounds), and environmental endurance from -50°C to +70°C storage and -30°C to +55°C operational temperatures in 2009.[2] A test batch in 2010 demonstrated durability with 1,000 ballistic rounds and 100 high-explosive rounds, alongside exposure to frost, rain, and dust at +55°C; a single jam occurred after 800 shots, prompting a hammer pin redesign that resolved the issue.[2] In July 2013, Poland's military quality and acceptance facility examined an implementation run of five weapons, confirming compliance with technical requirements.[2] The Military Institute of Armament Technology verified a 5,000-shot service life and recoil energies of 7 joules (low velocity) and 17 joules (medium velocity) in 2014, leading to qualification approval that year.[2] The Polish Ministry of National Defence signed a contract on February 11, 2016, for 200 units intended for the 12th and 17th Mechanized Brigades and the Territorial Defence Forces, with plans for one per squad.[2] However, qualification tests encountered challenges requiring NATO-standard medium-velocity 40 mm ammunition officially adopted by armed forces, which was unavailable at the time, contributing to non-compliance findings.[3] The contract was terminated on February 2, 2018, after the manufacturer failed to meet Armed Forces requirements, incurring a penalty of 1,780,782.66 PLN (20% of the 8,903,913.34 PLN value).[3] Consequently, the RGP-40 was not adopted for regular service in the Polish military, though limited unit-level testing occurred across various formations.[6]Production and International Aid
The RGP-40 grenade launcher is produced by Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów S.A. (ZM Tarnów), a manufacturer within the Polish Armaments Group, following its design by the Military University of Technology (WAT) and the Tactical Missile Research Institute (OBR SM Tarnów).[2][1] Development efforts began in the mid-2000s to meet Polish Land Forces requirements for a multi-shot 40 mm system, with prior-production tests conducted on a pilot lot to verify performance under field conditions.[2][7] Serial production commenced after successful evaluations, culminating in a December 2016 contract for the Polish Army to acquire units for equipping infantry units, though exact quantities remain undisclosed in public records.[8] Poland has provided RGP-40 grenade launchers to Ukraine as part of broader military aid packages in response to the Russian invasion beginning in February 2022.[9] At least 200 units were documented in Ukrainian service by May 2022, with footage and imagery confirming their deployment against Russian forces.[10] Ukrainian soldiers continued using the RGP-40 in operational roles as late as February 2025, highlighting its integration into frontline tactics for enhanced suppressive fire capability.[3] No other confirmed international transfers beyond this aid to Ukraine have been reported, positioning the RGP-40 primarily as a domestic and selective export system aligned with Poland's security partnerships.[3]Design and Features
Operating Mechanism
The RGP-40 operates as a semi-automatic, revolver-type grenade launcher employing a six-chamber revolving drum magazine.[2][1] The drum, driven by an internal winding spring, holds 40×46 mm or 40×53 mm grenades and aligns one chamber with the barrel for firing.[2] Upon pulling the trigger, the firing pin strikes the primer of the grenade in the aligned chamber, igniting the propellant and launching the projectile.[2] A portion of the combustion gases is then diverted into a gas chamber, which actuates a mechanism to release the drum-holding lever.[2] This allows the spring-loaded drum to rotate precisely 60 degrees, indexing the next chamber into firing position automatically.[2] Loading occurs manually: the operator releases the drum via a side lever, rotates it to access each of the six 140 mm deep chambers, and inserts grenades individually.[2] The drum can also be manually advanced if needed, though the gas-operated cycling handles semi-automatic fire without intervention.[2] Safety features include an external selector switch and internal mechanisms that prevent firing if the drum is misaligned or obstructed; the gas system incorporates a fail-safe to halt rotation in case of a jammed round.[2] This design enables a practical rate of fire while maintaining reliability across various 40 mm ammunition types compatible with NATO standards.[1][2]Ammunition and Loading System
The RGP-40 is chambered for 40 mm grenades, with each cylinder chamber measuring 140 mm in length to accommodate both standard low-velocity 40×46 mm rounds and longer special munitions, including medium-velocity 40×51 mm variants.[2][5] This extended chamber depth enables compatibility with a broad spectrum of lethal and non-lethal ammunition, such as fragmentation (FRAG), high-explosive dual-purpose (HEDP or AP-HE), smoke (SM), incendiary (INC), illumination (ILLUM), target practice with tracer (TP), practice marker, rubber bullet, ball cartridge, and flashbang rounds.[1][2] Effective ranges vary by ammunition type, reaching 350–400 meters with 40×46 mm low-velocity rounds and up to 700–800 meters with 40×51 mm medium-velocity rounds.[2] The loading system employs a six-round revolver-style drum magazine integrated into the weapon's design, which is manually loaded by the operator.[1][5] Prior to firing, the drum's spring must be manually wound to prepare the mechanism.[2] Access to the chambers for loading or unloading is achieved via a drum release lever located on the left side of the barrel, allowing the operator to insert or remove individual 40 mm rounds into the open cylinder.[2] The system operates semi-automatically: upon firing, combustion gases drive a 60-degree rotation of the drum to align the next chamber with the barrel, with a gas-operated safety feature preventing further rotation in the event of a round jam.[2] This configuration supports rapid follow-up shots without manual intervention between rounds, while maintaining portability for individual use.[1]Ergonomics and Accessories
The RGP-40 features an ergonomic design optimized for single-soldier operation, with an unloaded weight of 6.3 kg that balances portability and firepower.[2] It incorporates an integrated pistol grip and a foregrip under the barrel for stable handling, complemented by an adjustable M4-type shoulder stock that allows for length-of-pull customization to suit different users.[2][5] The tactical buttstock includes two-position inclination adjustment, and the system is adapted for left-handed shooters through accessible controls.[1] Eight sling attachment points facilitate versatile carrying options, while the front grip integrates a deployable bipod operable with one hand for rapid setup in prone positions.[2] Safety and operational controls enhance usability, including an external safety switch and an internal mechanism preventing firing if the drum is misaligned, with a manual release lever on the left side for reloading the six-round revolver cylinder.[2] Durability and environmental testing, conducted at facilities like OBRSM Tarnów, confirmed strong performance in ergonomics and functionality across temperatures from -30°C to +55°C for operation.[2] Modularity is supported by multiple Picatinny rails, including a top rail for primary optics, side rails for auxiliary sights, and three rails on the barrel shield for additional attachments.[11][1] Standard equipment includes the Romanian IOR Valdada OS-40GL optical sight with 4 MOA reticle, while compatibility extends to reflex sights like the Meprolight MEPRO GLS-203 and iron sights mounted on side rails.[2] A transport case typically contains the launcher, sights, cleaning kit, and hearing protection.[2]Technical Specifications
Dimensions and Weight
The RGP-40 features a compact design optimized for individual infantry use, with an overall length ranging from 760 mm to 840 mm depending on the folding stock position.[2] The barrel length is 250 mm, while the revolver chamber measures 140 mm to accommodate standard 40×46 mm or 40×51 mm NATO grenades.[2] [1] Unloaded weight without optics stands at 6.3 kg in final production models, though manufacturer specifications list it as 6.5 kg; prototypes varied from 6.1 kg (using titanium components) to 6.72 kg.[2] [1] When loaded with six high-explosive NGO-N1 rounds, the total weight increases to approximately 7.96 kg.[2] These specifications meet initial Polish military requirements limiting unloaded mass to 6.5 kg and overall length to 850 mm (later relaxed to 950 mm), ensuring shoulder-fired portability comparable to lighter single-shot launchers while enabling multi-shot capacity.[2]Range and Ballistics
The RGP-40 employs 40×46mm NATO low-velocity (LV) and 40×51mm NATO medium-velocity (MV) grenade cartridges, which determine its ballistic performance.[1] Low-velocity rounds, such as high-explosive fragmentation types, achieve a maximum effective range of 350–400 meters, suitable for engaging personnel or light vehicles in direct fire scenarios.[2] Medium-velocity ammunition extends this to up to 800 meters, enabling suppression of targets at greater distances while maintaining compatibility with standard grenade types including fragmentation, high-explosive dual-purpose, and non-lethal variants.[1] [8] Ballistic trajectories for both ammunition classes are parabolic due to relatively low muzzle energies, with LV rounds generating approximately 7 joules of recoil and MV rounds up to 17 joules, influencing operator handling during rapid semi-automatic fire.[2] The launcher's smoothbore barrel, measuring 250 mm, imparts spin stabilization via rifling in the grenade's driving band, promoting accuracy within the effective envelope despite the weapon's lightweight 6.5 kg unloaded mass. Effective engagement requires sight adjustments for drop at longer ranges, with reflex sights standard for point-and-shoot alignment up to 400 meters on LV loads.[1]| Ammunition Type | Effective Range (m) | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 40×46mm LV | 350–400 | Personnel, light cover[2] |
| 40×51mm MV | 600–800 | Area suppression, vehicles[8] [1] |