Ukraine's RKG‑3-modified drones: A creative answer to shortages
Ukrainians are renowned for their creativity in eliminating Russians, and any method that improves weapons efficiency is worth noting. For this purpose, they are modifying old anti-tank grenades RKG-3, which have been used since the 1950s, for use on drones. We explain the reasons for such modifications and present the performance of this weapon.
FPV drones are one of the primary tools Ukrainians use to mitigate shortages, such as anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) or artillery systems.
To drones, they attach, even using zip ties or adhesive tape, items like lightened PG-7VL grenades from RPG-7 grenade launchers, bomblets from dismantled cluster munitions or bombs, or hand grenades. For the last two, the fuse is sometimes made of two wires, which close the electrical circuit and cause an explosion when they come into contact.
One of the more exciting examples of weaponry that has become obsolete on the modern battlefield is the hand anti-tank grenade RKG-3, introduced into service in the 1950s and being field-modified. According to Ukrainians, cutting off the top of these grenades is meant to allow for the perfect formation of the cumulative jet, improving their armor-penetration capabilities.
RKG-3 grenades in a new role - they won't destroy tanks, but other vehicles are fair game
The RKG-3 grenade, weighing between 1.1 and 1.7 kg depending on the version, is built with a shaped charge capable of penetrating 13-23 cm of armour steel. It’s worth noting that when used on drones, the grenade's weight will be less as the handle and part of the casing are removed, leaving essentially only the shaped charge along with about a 0.5 kg explosive charge.
The grenade is equipped with an impact fuse, and its armour-penetrating capabilities pose a lethal threat to vehicles of the BMP, BMD, or BTR families. As for tanks, there's a slight chance, but the drone would have to hit almost perfectly vertically on the roof. The only form of protection is cage armour or, in extreme cases, scrap metal on such vehicles, which forces the grenade to detonate 20 cm away from the main armour.
