The RPG-40 was an anti-tank hand grenade developed by the Soviet Union in 1940.[1]
Description
Upon contact, 760 grams (1.68 lb) of explosives contained within it were detonated and produced a blast effect. This enabled about 20–25 millimetres (0.79–0.98 in) of armour to be penetrated and caused secondary damage, such as spalling, on contact with thicker armour.[1] This made the grenade very effective against earlier German tanks, but ineffective against later models, such as the Panzer IV and the Panzer V, leading to the RPG-43 replacing it in 1943.
