Over the entire history of its existence, Russia has repeatedly changed its political status, becoming part of an empire, kingdom, union, etc. If you trace the country's development path from ancient times to the present, you will find that scientists and craftsmen living at different times glorified the country not only in art and all kinds of sciences, but also in military affairs. A huge number of discoveries made by engineers and developers, won more than one battle. If you exaggerate slightly, then we can say that gunpowder was invented in China, but it was in Russia that they learned to use it correctly. The world’s armaments are armed with Kalashnikov’s assault rifles, Makarov’s pistols, T-34 tanks, Dragunov sniper rifles, remote-controlled hand grenades (RGD-5 for short), etc. All these and many other military achievements were developed and put into use. It is on the territory of Russia. And only after successfully passed tests, other countries also got the opportunity to purchase one or another firearm.
This article discusses the RGD-5 hand grenade: characteristics, device, application, development, etc.
Progress does not stand still
After the victory in World War II, the weapons system of the USSR faced the issue of changing weapons. In order to move forward, it was necessary to reconsider the priority areas of the industry's development and change the units used for a long time. So, instead of the RG-42 grenade, it was necessary to create a more advanced analogue that would cover some of the shortcomings of the available options. Thus, in 1950, the development of a more powerful and efficient unit began. In 1954, an RGD-5 grenade entered the arsenal of the military forces of the Soviet Union, the device and characteristics of which were several times higher than the parameters of existing analogues.
This combat unit in its appearance was remotely similar to several European models: the French OF, which went into production in 1915, the Polish Z-23 and the German M-39. RGD-5 - a grenade, for the most part intended for offensive combat. However, it can also be used to defeat and stun enemy manpower and during defensive actions (in trenches, in the forest, in settlements, etc.).
Components: Housing
The device RGD-5 grenade is a combination of three main elements:
- housing;
- charge;
- sunk.
Let's consider each of them separately.
The RGD-5 hand grenade has a body that, with the help of the charge placed inside it, is split into the maximum possible number of fragments when it breaks. The shell of a combat unit consists of:
- top part;
- lower half.
The upper part of the body is a combination of three elements: the cap, its liner and the tube. The latter is intended to interconnect a grenade and directly fuse. Also, thanks to the tube, a charge having a breaking strength is sealed. With the help of the cuff, it is attached to the cap. For more gentle storage, the tube of the grenade is equipped with a plastic plug, which also prevents dirt from getting inside. In conditions of warfare, this plug is replaced by a fuse.
At the bottom of the case is a pallet and its liner.
The outer shell of the grenade RGD-5 is also marked, which is applied with a special black paint. The inscription includes the following information:
- short name of the combat unit;
- batch number;
- encrypted equipment year;
- explosive symbol inside a grenade;
- the factory, or rather its number, where the gun was made.
Second component
RGD-5 - grenade, where the explosive charge mechanism consists entirely of explosive material called TNT. This substance is intended for splitting the corps of a military unit into small parts (fragments). The bursting charge itself has a weight of 110 g, and 315 g weighs RGD-5. The technical characteristics of the grenade are such that when throwing a unit brought into combat condition, the fragments disperse over an area of 28 to 32 square meters. In this case, the radius of the striking particles reaches twenty meters.
Third component
Now consider the device fuse. Initially, the RGD-5 grenade was equipped with a drive system similar to that found in the RG-42 and F-1 combat units. The fuse is equipped with a powder moderator, the burning time of which is 3.2-4.2 seconds.
The body of this part of the grenade is made of metal. Inside it there is a trigger mechanism. It consists of a safety lever, checks with a ring, a detonator and a hammer with a mainspring. The direction of movement of the latter is controlled using a special washer, also fixed in the housing. The detonator is equipped with capsules (igniter and detonating) and a powder moderator located between them. A threaded sleeve is screwed onto the fuse case itself. With its help, the fuse is connected to a grenade.
Principle of operation
Let's see how the fuse works. As mentioned above, the drummer is connected to the mainspring. It is fixed with a safety lever fork. That, in turn, is in a stable condition thanks to the forelock. Rather, it is fixed by him. The cotter pin is a safety pin that passes through the holes located in the walls of the shell of the fuse itself and in the ears of the lever. The latter is connected to the lower base of the drummer. Above it is a puck. A combat spring abuts against it with its one end. The second part on top is adjacent to the washer of the housing.
After a while, the composition of the fuse changed somewhat. Its retarding element was slightly modified: it was stabilized. From that moment, the fuse of a grenade began to be called UZRGM-2. It also began to be used for the production of combat F-1s.
Target defeat
To launch a grenade RGD-5, it is initially necessary to remove the safety pin. In this case, the lever is pressed tightly to the body of combat equipment and is held up to the moment of the throw. The spring is then driven. She turns the safety lever, releasing the drummer. That, in turn, under the influence of a spring interacts with the igniter capsule. A spark of flame from it passes to the moderator, and then, after complete burnout, to the detonator charge. This leads to the explosion of a grenade.
The final weight of the RGD-5 grenade is 315 g. This small mass allows soldiers to throw units at a distance of 50 to 60 meters.
To throw a grenade, you need to go through several stages:
- first you need to take the projectile in your hand so that the safety lever is adjacent to the housing;
- then you need to unclench the "mustache" checks;
- pull it out of the fuse and throw the RGD-5 to the intended target with a throw.
Transportation and storage
In military units, grenades of this type are delivered in wooden crates. At the same time, they have separate metal boxes, each of which contains either cases, or handles, or fuses. These containers can only be opened with a special knife, which is also supplied.
On the lids and walls of wooden boxes with a special composition, marking is applied, based on which you can find out the following information:
- how many grenades are inside the container;
- what is their total weight;
- name of grenades, fuses and arms;
- number of the factory where the equipment is made;
- year of manufacture of combat units;
- batch number;
- danger sign.
It is forbidden to unpack those boxes with grenades, which are not currently planned to be used. They should be stored in boxes created by the manufacturer.
Where to wear?
In conditions close to combat, each soldier has RGD-5 grenades in his ammunition. At the same time, the case itself is stored in a special bag. The fuses, each of which is wrapped in a paper or fabric wrapper, are in the same place, however, separately from the grenades. Previously, a soldier had to carry a canvas bag with two pockets for fuses and a department for two combat units. Currently, the military prefers to carry grenades and accessories in the pockets of vests.
In caterpillar or wheeled combat vehicles (infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery, tanks, armored personnel carriers) grenades and fuses are stacked separately from each other in different bags.
Training option
For excellent possession of the RGD-5 and its throwing right at the target, men initially undergo special training. In schools, in educational institutions of secondary and secondary special purpose, in universities with a military department, military schools and, of course, the army, young people are trained to use the non-combat version of the grenade, which is called the "training and simulation grenade URG-N."
Like RGD-5, this prototype has exactly the same appearance, shape, mass. The URG-N grenade does not differ from the combat variant as well as the rules of circulation. The process of contact of the training analog with the surface during throwing is accompanied by sound and visual effects: smoke, roar, etc. The Methodist analogue of URG-N is used repeatedly. This grenade, as well as the military "brother", consists of a hull and fuse. The latter is an imitation of the present option. The cases URG-N and RGD-5 are almost identical. The only difference is that the training grenade has a small hole at the bottom, designed to enhance the sound effect. The URG-N case is painted black and has a special marking on it.
