PSRL-1

The Precision Shoulder-Fired Rocket Launcher-1 (PSRL-1) is an unlicensed modified American clone of Soviet/Russian RPG-7 shoulder-fired rocket-propelled grenade launcher developed by AirTronic USA.[1][2][3]

Precision Shoulder-Fired Rocket Launcher-1 (PSRL-1)
TypeRocket-propelled grenade launcher
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2017–present
Production history
DesignerAirTronic USA
ManufacturerAirTronic USA
Specifications
Caliber40 mm
Effective firing range850 meters (round and sight dependent)
Maximum firing range1200 meters (round and sight dependent)
Sights3x24 Sightmark Wolfhound Prismatic Weapon Sight with custom RPG BDC Reticle

3.5x35 Trijicon ACOG TA11 Scope with Custom RPG BDC Reticle Flip-up Back-up Iron Sights on Picatinny Rail (Standard) 12x Pulsar Trail XP-50 Thermal Sight (800 m range)

10x Pulsar Trail XP-30 Thermal Sight (500 m range)

History

In 2009, the American company Airtronic USA unveiled a modernized version of the weapon called the RPG-7USA. The launcher is fitted with updated features including a MIL-STD-1913 Quad Rail System for mounting combat optics, flip-up back up iron sights, aiming lasers/illuminators, tactical lights, and vertical foregips, as well as an M4 carbine-style pistol grip and telescoping stock. Compared to the RPG-7V2, the American launcher, named by the company the Precision Shoulder-fired Rocket Launcher (PSRL-1), is slightly lighter at 14 lb (6.35 kg) unloaded without optics and is made of 4140/4150 ordnance-grade steel for a longer 1,000-round lifespan that can separate into two pieces for compact carry. The PSRL-1 uses EOTech sights with a new sighting system that combines an illuminated reticule for use in low light situations, and is able to be fitted with magnifying optical sights for long-range firing enabling 90% hit probability at 800 metres, twice the distance of other RPGs; rate of fire is 3-4 rounds per minute. It is reportedly accurate at ranges from 900-1,200 m, and guided rockets could extend range to 2,000 metres. The weapon was a program of record in US Special Operations Command by 2015, and the PSRL-1 was to enter production by mid-2016. Airtronic has also developed the more advanced GS-777/PSRL-2 model made of high-strength polymer that reduces weight to 7.77 lb (3.5 kg) and further improves durability and life cycle.

The first confirmed sales were made to the Ukrainian military in 2017. The US PSRL-1 is manufactured for export only, or for allies who are used to using Soviet-style weapons.[4]

PSRL-1 was adopted by Philippine Army and Peruvian Army.[5][6]

Design

The PSRL-1 is compatible with all Soviet RPG-7 rockets.[7]

Weight: 6,6 kg

Length: 915 mm

Scope: PSRL 3.5 x 24 mm

Effective range: 800 m–1000 m

Safety Range: 20 m (back blast)

Color options: Classic Grey (standard), Flat Dark Earth, OD Green & Black, but black is no longer available. The GS-777 has Flat Dark Earth (standard), OD Green & Matte Black choices.

Ammunition
See also: RPG-7 § Ammunition

Other than all types of Soviet RPG-7 compatible rockets, Airtronic developed AirTronic Shoulder-Fired Rocket Ammunition as a modernized RPG-7 rocket type of shoulder-fired ammunition. All ammunition is manufactured in the United States and the Intellectual Property is fully owned by the company. The ammunition is recommended for use in AirTronic rocket launchers such as the PSRL and GS-777 in order to achieve the highest level of performance. The legacy external configuration of the RPG rocket has been maintained such that AirTronic ammunition is backwards compatible with existing RPG-7 type launchers.

While the external configuration of the legacy RPG rocket has been maintained, improvements have been made focusing on the fuzing, reliability, robustness, and manufacturing quality per US Department of Defense standards. The warhead fuze features a dual safe and arm arrangement for improved handling safety. Also, the rocket motor ignitor fuze has been redesigned to improve motor ignition reliability.

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

There are three variants of this ammunition:

  • SR-H1 is suitable for PSRLs + RPG-7s. It is a 3.82 kg 93 mm high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead that is able to penetrate 500 mm rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) and has tracer ability. Its effective range is at 500 m, while maximum range can reach up to 800 m. The fire rate is between 4 to 6 rounds per minute.
  • SR-T1 is suitable for PSRLs + RPG-7s. It is a 3.82 kg 93 mm Inert warhead that can't penetrate armor because its for training only but has tracer ability. Its effective range is at 500 m, while maximum range can reach up to 800 m. The fire rate is between 4 to 6 rpm.
  • SR-T2 is suitable for PSRLs + RPG-7s. It is a 2.12 kg 70 mm Inert warhead that can't penetrate armor because its for training only but has tracer ability. Its effective range is at 800 m, while maximum range can reach up to 1,200 m. The fire rate is between 4 to 6 rpm.

Accessories

In conjunction with the weapon, to complete the system, AirTronic offers various accessories that allows for the soldier to comfortably transport the system and its ammo, while also allowing the soldier to adapt to any situation. These accessories vary from different sighting systems, spare parts, slings, cases, ammo bags, bipods, and more. Additionally, AirTronic offers various Cerakote coatings that further add to the versatility of this system.

Users

In the 2012 Marvel movie The Avengers, General Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury used his PSRL-1 to fire a custom warhead at an F-35 fighter jet launching off the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier. It was also briefly seen at the hands of a mercenary who is patrolling in Loki's underground hideout.

In Activision's 2012 first-person-shooter game Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, the AirTronic RPG-7 is known in game as "RPG" and seems to be a futuristic version of the Soviet RPG-7. It appeared in all modes in this game.

References
  1. Administrator. "New and redesigned US-made Rocket Propelled Grenade PSRL-1 able to fire all rockets of Soviet RPG-7 10510163 - AUSA 2016 Show Daily News TV Coverage Report - Defence security military exhibition 2016 daily news category". www.armyrecognition.com.
  2. "AirTronic USA - AirTronic PSRL-1 USA".
  3. "Data" (PDF). airtronic-usa.com.
  4. http://www.milmag.pl/news/view?news_id=176
  5. National Guard receives 500 U.S.-made grenade launchers (Photo), UNIAN (17 May 2018)
  6. "Tłumacz Google". translate.google.pl.
  7. "AirTronic PSRL-1 (RPG-7USA) Anti-Armor / Anti-Personnel Shoulder-Fired Rocket Launcher - United States".
  8. @DFRLab (2018-01-09). "American Lethal Weapons Could Already Be on the Ukrainian Front Line". Medium. Retrieved 2018-01-10.


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