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RPG is in english, the intials for Rocket Propelled Grenade, which by coincidence is the same three letters in (transliterated) Russian. In the context of "rocket-propelled grenades", RPG is a transliteration of the Russian РПГ.

The essence of these weapons relies on the concept of a shaped charge - an advanced but simple method of focusing the force of a blast. This concept can be traced back to a Charles Munroe in 1888 who can be credited with the discovery.

Generally used in anti-tank situations, a very early one was the PIAT, (Projectile Infantry Anti Tank) which was launched from a spring-loaded tube and propelled a turnip-shaped grenade which consisted of a shaped charge and a hardened steel 'candle', which blasted through and spalled off the tank armour.

In WWII improvements developed, leading to today's much improved, but still very simple weapons.

Strictly speaking RPG is an initialism, not an acronym, for the resulting group of letters are not pronounceable.

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13y ago

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