Last updated on February 17th, 2019 at 09:48 pm
The SPG-9 RCL 73mm gun is a recoilless gun that fires fin-stabilized HEAT rounds. It entered service in the Soviet Union in the 1960s.
Four men are needed to operate the SPG-9.
The SPG-9 RCL 73mm gun is mounted on a tripod. The tripod weighs 26.45 pounds (12kg), while the launcher weights 104.72 pounds (47.5kg). It takes at least two men to carry the weapon when it is dissembled.
This recoilless gun can be towed by a light vehicle on a two wheeled carriage.
When the SPG-9 is fired, a launching charge propels the HEAT round clear of the muzzle and makes it spin.
When the HEAT round is at least 66 feet (20m) from the muzzle, the rocket motor initiates and the spin-stabilized round accelerates to velocity of 2300 ft/s (700 m/s).
The 2.87 inch (73mm) caliber HEAT round can penetrate 15.35 inches (390 mm) of armor at 1421.7 yards (1300m).
The SPG-9 is still being used by various countries around the world, although its design is somewhat dated.