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RGN



Overview


RGN

Soviet RGN offensive hand grenade. Note that on the RGN the lower body is smooth, versus serrated on the RGO.
Source: www.militaryarms.ru - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Hand grenade
Entered service
1981
Status
In service
Development
Late 1970's
Developer
Soviet Union - Bazalt
Production
1981 - present
Producer
Soviet Union - Bazalt
Russia - Bazalt
Bulgaria - Kintex
Ukraine - Tasko
Number produced
Produced in quantity
Designations
RGN | Ruchnaya Granata Nastupatelnaya
Russian for "offensive hand grenade"
7G21 (GRAU index)
Notable users
Soviet Union

Description


Introduction

The RGN is a late Cold War era offensive hand grenade of Soviet origin. It was developed based on Soviet experiences in the mountain warfare during the War in Afghanistan. The RGN has a defensive variant based on the same design: the RGO.

Design

The RGN uses a round spherical body that is smaller than many earlier Soviet hand grenades. An aluminum liner is used to reduce fragments, which is suitable to an offensive grenade. The main characteristic is the use of the UDZ impact fuse. This arms about a second after releasing the spoon and is very sensitive, reportedly even activating on soft snow. Nonetheless, there is a time delay backup fuse. The impact fuse is suitable for steep mountain terrain and doesn't allow for grenades to be thrown back.

Firepower

The RGN is hand thown. Due to its low weight it can easily be tossed up to 35 meters or more. The casualty radius is 8 to 10 meters, with the practical safe distance being about 20 meters.

Users

The RGN was adopted in quantity by Soviet forces alongside the RGO. These grenades were used during the Afghan war and various subsequent conflicts. The RGN was produced and used in quantity. Since the fuse design is more expensive than older designs, the RGN never became as widespread in service as the older RGD-5 and later RGN-86. Due to the lighter weight the RGN and RGO became favored by special forces and reconnaissance troops, making them somewhat of a status item.

Variants


RGN and RGO

Photo showing UDZ impact fuse, RGN offensive grenade and RGO defensive grenade.
Source: www.militaryarms.ru - © Copyright lies with original owner

Variants

Two types of hand grenades were based around the same UDZ impact fuse. These differ in type of grenade body, making them suitable for either offensive or defensive use.

RGN
Offensive hand grenade with thin aluminum body resulting in hardly any lethal fragments. GRAU index is 7G21.
RGO
Defensive hand grenade with pre-fragmented steel body resulting in a wider lethal and casualty radius. GRAU index is 7G22. This is described in a separate article.

Details


Facts RGN
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Offensive hand grenade
Dimensions
Diameter
61 mm
Length
114 mm
Weight
0.29 kg
(0.31 kg also reported)
Composition
Fuse type
Impact fuse, activates in 1.3 to 1.8 s upon spoon release
Backup 3.2 to 4.2 second time delay
Fuse model
UDZ
Filling
97 gr A-IX-1
Fragments
Limited due to aluminum liner
Effect
Lethal radius
8 to 10 m
Safety radius
15 to 20 m practical
35 m for small number of low energy fragments
Application
Projection method
Hand thrown
Range
30 to 45 m

Media


Related articles


RGO

The RGN and RGO look very similar since both use the UDZ fuse and have a spherical body. The RGN is smooth while the RGO has a serrated lower body.

RGN-86

The RGN-86 is an offensive hand grenade developed at a later stage. It is derived from the RGD-5 and is a larger design compatible with older types of time delay fuses.