RGD-5

RGD-5 measurements

Russian MUV booby trap firing device. A zero-delay pull fuze which is normally connected to a tripwire. The MUV fuze is fully compatible with the RGD-5. Fitting an MUV fuze makes it easier to conceal the grenade when setting a boobytrap e.g. partial burial. Note that the detonator is usually threaded, so it can be screwed into the RGD-5 grenade body

The grenade is egg-shaped with no external ribbing, except for a lateral ridge where the two halves of the grenade join. It weighs 310 grams (11 oz). It is 117 millimetres (4.6 in) in length and 58 millimetres (2.3 in) in diameter. The surface has a few small dimples on it with a green or olive drab paint-scheme.

The grenade contains a 110-gram (3.9 oz) charge of TNT with an internal fragmentation liner that produces around 350 fragments and has a fatality radius of around 3 metres (9.8 ft)[1] and a wounding radius of 25 metres (82 ft).[2][3] Typically, the RGD-5 uses the 3.2 to 4.2 second delay UZRG, UZRGM, or UZRGM-2 fuze, a universal Russian type that is also used in the RG-41, RG-42, and F1 grenades.[4] The RGD-5 can be thrown about 35 to 45 metres (115 to 148 ft) by the average male soldier and, when throwing, the grenade will make a loud "crack" sound as its spoon falls out activating the fuze, cooking off the grenade.

This grenade is still manufactured in Russia with copies produced in Bulgaria, China (as the Type 59) and Georgia. Many millions of RGD-5s and its clones have been manufactured over the years and, although not as advanced as more modern grenades that are specifically designed to penetrate CRISAT standard body armour, the RGD-5 is still an effective and inexpensive weapon. A single RGD-5 grenade costs around $5 US, making it highly affordable during a major conflict when many grenades are sought.

The RGD-5 may also be fitted with the more modern DVM-78 fuze, or variants of the UZRGM with delays of between zero (i.e., instantaneous for use in booby traps) and 13 seconds. It is also possible to screw an MUV booby-trap firing device into the fuze well.

Grenade cutaway and training sample (DOSAAF Museum, Minsk)

On 10 May 2005, Vladimir Arutyunian, a Georgian citizen and ethnic Armenian, waited for the United States President George W. Bush and Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili to speak in Tbilisi's central Liberty Square. When Bush began speaking, Arutyunian threw an RGD-5 hand grenade wrapped in a red plaid handkerchief toward the podium where Bush stood as he addressed the crowd. The grenade landed 18.6 metres (61 ft) from the podium, near where Saakashvili, his wife Sandra E. Roelofs, Laura Bush, and other officials were seated.[7]

The grenade failed to detonate. Although original reports indicated that the grenade was not live, it was later revealed that it was.[8] After Arutyunian pulled the pin and threw the grenade, it hit a girl, cushioning its impact. The red handkerchief remained wrapped around the grenade, and it prevented the striker lever from releasing. A Georgian security officer quickly removed the grenade, and Arutyunian disappeared.[7][9]

• List of Russian weaponry

• Hogg, Ian V. (1991). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1991-92. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-0963-9.

• Photos of RGD-5 grenades at inert-ord.net
• Labelled diagram of an RGD-5 grenade
• RGD-5 data (in Russian)
• Various photos of Russian RGD-5s
• Photo of Chinese Type 59 grenade (RGD-5 clone)
• Video #2 of RGD-5 being thrown
• Video #3 of RGD-5 being thrown