PSRL-1

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Rocket-propelled grenade launcher

3.5×24 PSRL optical sight
3×24 Sightmark Wolfhound Prismatic Weapon Sight with custom RPG BDC Reticle
3.5×35 Trijicon ACOG TA11 Scope with Custom RPG BDC Reticle
Standard flip-up back-up Iron Sights
12× Pulsar Trail XP-50 Thermal Sight (800 m (2,600 ft) range)
10× Pulsar Trail XP-30 Thermal Sight (500 m (1,600 ft) range)

The Precision Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher-1 also known as the (PSRL-1) is a modified American copy of the Soviet/Russian RPG-7 shoulder-fired rocket-propelled grenade launcher developed by AirTronic USA.^[1]^[2]^[3] The PSRL-1 is primarily manufactured for US-allied nations who are accustomed to Soviet-style weapons and international export.^[4]

History

In 2009, the American company AirTronic USA revealed their modernized version of the RPG-7, named the RPG-7USA, which was later developed into the PSRL-1. The weapon was a Program of Record in the United States Special Operations Command by 2015, and the PSRL-1 entered production by mid-2016, with one of its first pre-commercial debut seen in Cinemax show, Banshee.

The first confirmed sales were made to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2017.^[4] Ukrainian troops used it for the first time in a conflict during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[5] At least one was captured by Russian forces.^[6]

The PSRL-1 was adopted by the Peruvian Army.^[7]

Specifications

The PSRL-1 or RPG-7USA is fitted with a MIL-STD-1913 quad-rail for mounting accessories, is compatible with mil-spec M4 carbine–style pistol grips and stocks, and is backwards compatible with all existing RPG-7 ammunition. The PSRL-1 is typically equipped with a proprietary 3.5× optical sight with an illuminated etched reticle, or an EOTech sight with a holographic reticle. The manufacturer claims a 90% hit probability at 800 meters (2,600 ft) with the standard magnified sight, although it is reportedly accurate at ranges from 900–1,200 m (3,000–3,900 ft).^[8]

The PSRL-1 is made of 4140/4150 ordnance-grade steel for a 1,000-round lifespan, weighs 14 lb (6.35 kg) unloaded and without optics, and can separate into two pieces for compact carry.^[8]

AirTronic also developed a more advanced GS-777/PSRL-2 model made of a high-strength polymer that reduced total launcher weight to 7.77 lb (3.52 kg), though the weight later increased to 9.5 lb (4.3 kg) to further improve durability and life cycle. The lighter model has a top rail and uses a new trigger group. The center of gravity has moved forward to compensate for the muzzle weight. It comes standard with the TA11 ACOG.^[9]

Ammunition

Although Airtronic launchers are compatible with Soviet RPG-7 rocket ammunition, AirTronic also manufactures their own modernized RPG-7 rocket ammunition within the United States, and fully owns the intellectual property of their rocket ammunition.

Improvements have been made focusing on the fuzing, reliability, robustness, and manufacturing quality per United States Department of Defense standards. The warhead fuze features a dual safe and arm arrangement for improved handling safety, and the rocket motor ignitor fuze has been redesigned to improve motor ignition reliability. AirTronic recommends the use of their ammunition in their launchers to achieve the advertised level of performance.

Inert training variants which match the ballistics of live ammunition are also available, allowing for safe training at a reduced cost. The inert warheads of training variants are filled with marking compound so that the impact of the round can be observed from afar.

There are three variants of ammunition:^[10]

SR-H1, a 3.82 kg (8.4 lb) 93 mm (3.7 in) high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead that is able to penetrate 500 mm (20 in) rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) and has tracer ability. Its effective range is at 500 m (1,600 ft), while maximum range can reach up to 800 m (2,600 ft). The fire rate is between 4 and 6 rounds per minute.
SR-T1, a 3.82 kg (8.4 lb) 93 mm (3.7 in) inert warhead is a training round and cannot penetrate armor, though it does retain tracer ability. Its effective range is at 500 m (1,600 ft), while maximum range can reach up to 800 m (2,600 ft). The rate of fire is between 4 and 6 rpm.
SR-T2, a 2.12 kg (4.7 lb) 70 mm inert warhead is also a training round and cannot penetrate armor, though it does retain tracer ability. Its effective range is at 800 m (2,600 ft), while maximum range can reach up to 1,200 m (3,900 ft). The rate of fire is between 4 and 6 rpm.

In 2015, it was reported that new guided rocket ammunition could extend the effective range up to 2,000 meters (6,600 ft). No such ammunition has been presented.^[11]

Accessories

In conjunction with the weapon, the complete PSRL system includes different sighting systems, spare parts, slings, cases, ammo bags, and bipods for customization and transport. Additionally, AirTronic offers various optional Cerakote coatings.

Users

References

^ "New US-made Rocket Propelled Grenade PSRL-1 able to fire all rockets of Soviet RPG-7 10510163". Army Recognition. October 5, 2016. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
^ "AirTronic Precision Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher (PSRL)". airtronic-usa.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
^ "AirTronic Precision Shoulder-Fired Rocket Launcher (PSRL-1)" (PDF). airtronic-usa.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 11, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c "PSRL-1 na Ukrainie" [PSRL-1 in Ukraine]. MILMAG (in Polish). July 9, 2017. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
^ ^a ^b Rempfer, Kyle (May 22, 2018). "Ukrainian troops spotted with American-made, but Russian-styled, RPGs. Here's where they came from". Military Times. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
^ Moss, Matthew (March 9, 2022). "Anti-Tank Weapons of The War in Ukraine". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
^ "National Guard receives 500 U.S.-made grenade launchers (Photo)". UNIAN. May 17, 2018. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "AirTronic USA | AirTronic PSRL-1 USA". AirTronic USA. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023.
^ "AirTronic USA | GS-777 Lightweight Shoulder-Fired Recoilless Launcher". AirTronic USA. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023.
^ "AirTronic Shoulder-Fired Rocket Ammunition". AirTronic USA. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023.
^ "Americanized RPG-7 is Ready to Serve - Defense Update:". October 14, 2015. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022.
^ "Turkish Navy Special Force uses PSRL-1". Archived from the original on December 2, 2022.
^ "RPG 7". SALW Guide. Bonn International Center for Conversion. Archived from the original on March 25, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2018.

Soviet and Russian rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) series

Launchers

Reusable	RPG-1 RPG-2 RPG-4 RPG-7 RPG-16 RPG-29 RPG-32
One-shot	RPG-18 RPG-22 RPG-26 RPG-27 RPG-28 RPG-30
Thermobaric	RPO Rys RPO-A Shmel RPO PDM-M MGK Bur MRO-A