RPO-A 'Shmel'

The RPO-A "Shmel" rocket launcher can be seen in the following films, video games, and television series used by the following actors:

RPO-A "Shmel" rocket launcher

RPO-A "Shmel" - 93mm

The RPO-A "Shmel" ("Bumblebee") is a man-portable rocket launcher, although it is classified as a flamethrower by the manufacturer. It is a single-shot, self-contained disposable launcher operated by a single crewman. All models are externally similar, with three rocket variants. The basic rocket is the RPO-A, which has a thermobaric warhead, the RPO-Z is an incendiary warhead, and the RPO-D has a smoke-producing warhead.

Since 2006 an improved version, the RPO-M "Shmel-M" or RPO PDM-A, has entered production. This is a 90mm weapon with a disposable launch tube attached to a separate fire control unit in the manner of Western launchers like the Dragon and Javelin, and is lighter than the original Shmel. The improved thermobaric rocket is claimed to have an explosive force equivalent to 12 pounds of TNT, comparable to a 155mm artillery shell.

Specifications

• Weight: 11 kg
• Length: 920 mm
• Warhead:
  • RPO-A: 2.1 kg thermobaric
  • RPO-Z: 2.1 kg incendiary
  • RPO-D: 2.3 kg smoke
• Caliber: 93 mm
• Range:
  • Minimum: 20 m
  • Maximum: 1,000 m
• Muzzle velocity: 125 m/s

Film

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
Python II		Chechen Terrorists		2002
Moscow Heat			Seen in the pile of weapons	2004
D-Day (Den'D)	Mikhail Porechenkov	Ivan		2008
Newsmakers (Goryachie Novosti)			Seen in arsenal	2009

Television

Actor	Character	Title	Note	Date
	Chechen terrorists	Stormgate	Transit pack	2006

Video Games

Game	As	Mods	Note	Date
War Inc. Battlezone				2011

See Also

• KBP Instrument Design Bureau - A list of all firearms manufactured by KBP Instrument Design Bureau.