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Grenade Launcher Operators Gain Practical Experience by Firing with Practice Training Equipment (PTE) .
Various training devices have been developed to enable personnel to gain practical experience in handling portable grenade launchers of the RPG-7V (RPG-7D) type used in over 50 countries, the RPG-29 grenade launcher and the RPG-26, RPG-27, RShG-1 and RShG-2 rocket grenades with disposable launchers. These include electronic trainers, laser firing simulators (FS) bullet practice firing devices (PFD) and inert rounds (grenades).
However, the existing trainers, firing simulators and PFDs suffer from disadvantages limiting their application, namely:
- laser firing simulators and bullet practice firing devices do not simulate real ergonomic conditions of firing;
- they ensure only limited simulation of a real grenade trajectory at a single fixed range;
- they do not allow to input a wind compensation for rocket-assisted rounds;
- the nomenclature of trainers and bullet PFDs is limited; they cannot be used for imitating shooting with new types of rounds and grenades;
- they are technologically complicated and expensive.
Therefore, of the above mentioned training devices, only inert rounds (grenades) make it possible to train grenade launcher operators in realistic conditions.
The rounds and grenades of this type have been developed for virtually all grenade launcher systems. The are fitted with an inert warhead and a live rocket motor or a rocket motor with a propelling charge. Yet, inert rounds and grenades are single-shot munitions, while in terms of cost they are comparable to live munitions.
To expand the possibilities of operators combat training, RSUE SRPE “Bazalt” has developed the Practice Training Equipment (PTE) to be used for the RPG-7V1, RPG-7D2, RPG-29,RPG-26, RPG-27, RShG-1, RShG-2.
Correspondence between standard rounds and PTE is given below:
| Round |
PG-7BL |
PG-7VR |
OG-7V |
TBG-7V |
PG-29V |
RPG-26 |
RPG-27 |
RShG-1 |
RShG-2 |
| PTE |
PUI-7L |
PUI-7R |
PUI-7OG |
PUI-7TBG |
PUI-29 |
PUI-26 |
PUI-27 |
PUI-Sh1 |
PUI-Sh2 |
The PTE set comprises an appropriate standard round dummy and a practice imitation rocket grenade whose trajectory matches that of a live grenade.
The procedure of dummy round assembling and loading into the launching tube prior to firing, as well as aiming and shooting are similar to that of standard round handling.
Pattern of fire insured by the practice grenade is equivalent to that of appropriate live rounds throughout the entire firing range.
The PTE overall dimensions and weight characteristics are comparable to those of standard rounds/grenades, grenade launchers require no upgrade to provide for PTE application.
Practice training equipment ensures multiple use (over 300 shots).
A distinguishing feature of Practice training Equipment is that it ensures a maximum imitation of standard close-in weapon systems with considerable reducing resultant negative factors influence on an operator (acoustic and heat influence, dust and gas pollution etc) which is lower as compared to that provided by inert WH grenades. At this, practice training round cost is significantly lower than that of a similar inert round which makes it possible to considerably expand practice firing capabilities and to reduce by several times the costs required for operators gaining practical firing experience.
The samples of PUI-26 and PUI-27 Practice Training Equipment developed for the RPG-26 and RPG-27 Antitank Rocket Grenades were displayed at the SOFEX’2006 International Exhibition held in Amman, Jordan in March 2006.
PTE training capabilities were demonstrated during SOFEX’2006 including PUI-27 demonstration firings and evoked lively interest of Exhibition participants and representatives of the Jordanian Armed Forces.
The practice Training Equipment being offered by FSUE “SRPE “Bazalt” is intended for developing operator skills in firing in realistic conditions for all types of close-in grenade launcher systems with replacing all kinds of inert grenades/rounds and practice firing devices.
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