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The RPG-7 is the smallest and most widespread Soviet anti-tank weapon. Every motor rifle and airborne squad has an RPG-7, which is the squad's most important weapon. At night or in dense terrain the RPG-7 enjoys increased value. Combat experience has shwon just how effective the RPG-7 is.

The RPG-7 launches a PG-7 rocket-propelled anti-tank projectile with a HEAT warhead and fin stabilization.

The RPG-7 has two sights, the basic x2.5 power optical sight with rangefinding stadia and secondary "iron" sights. The optical sights are the most complicated part of the system and is too complicated for many trainees. The gunner must take many variables into account as well as make many estimated to sight in the weapon. The Soviet manual for this weapon devotes more space to sighting problems than to any other topic.

AIming the RPG-7 is difficult because the PG-7 projectile is seriously affected by crosswwinds. The reaction effect of its rocket motor causes the round to turn into the wind and the gunner must estimate the direction and wind speed as well as that of the target. The sight picture is gridded off in parallel vertical lines to determine the deflection for wind and target motion, while its rangefinder stradia measures the full target hight to estimate range. Maximum effective range is 500m, there are horizontal gridded lines on the sight to give proper elevation up to that range. US tests of captured RPG-7s confirmed that even well trained gunners are normally 10-15% off in estimating the range, greatly reducing first-round accuracy. Targets which are partially exposed or are moving are even more difficult to range in on and hit.

The optical sight filters glare, smoke and haze and can even be adjusted for temperature extremes. It is internally lit for night use or it can be replaced with a night sight, either the 6kg NSP-2 active infrared sight or the 3.5kg PGN-1 passive starlight scope.

When spped of fire is more important than accuracy, the gunner may use the iron sights which have no wind or deflection adjustment, but can be used to engage targets in the 200-500m range bracket.

The PG-7 warhead will punch a 5cm hole through about 280mm of armor. Armor penetration varies with range and individual rounds. Under 300m, the PG-7's speed actually reduces the penetration of its shaped charge, reduced to some 220mm.

Before the PG-7 round is loaded, it must first be assembled, the loader screwing the warhead and sustainer motor together with the booster charge. It is then loaded. Squeezing the trigger ignites the strip powder charge at the base of the projectile, ejecting it from the RPG-7 at some 177 m/s. Four stabilizing fins pop open as the projectile clears the barrel. The warhead arms after travelling some 5m and after 11m, the rocket sustainer motor kicks in, boosting the speed to 294m/s. If the round has not struck anything after is has been in flight for 5 seconds, or if it has travelled 900m, it will self-destruct. The gunner will observe the fall of shot, reload and fire again, this takes 14 seconds.

Soviet doctrine stresses that the RPG-7 should not engage targets in excess of 300m as this reduces target reaction time for suppressive fire or evasive action while still giving the gunner time for additional shots if the first round should miss.