Can a Basic RPG-7 Penetrate an M1 Abrams Tank?

No, the common RPG-7 anti-tank rocket launcher lacks the armor penetration to defeat an M1 Abrams tank in most combat situations. The Abrams‘ advanced heavy reactive and composite armor is specifically engineered to withstand incoming rockets, missiles, and large-caliber cannon fire. Read on as we analyze this weapons system match-up in detail!

M1 Abrams Armor Protection

As one of the heaviest main battle tanks (MBTs) in the world, the 70+ ton Abrams relies on advanced armor to protect its crew and vital systems:

• The turret and glacis (lower front hull) utilize multiple layers of composite and depleted uranium armor, giving protection equivalent to 700+mm Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA)
• Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) tiles pre-detonate incoming warheads before they contact the hull
• The turret roof is weaker at just 38mm thick, though some variants add ERA coverage

This armor configuration makes the front arc of an Abrams extremely challenging to penetrate, even with dedicated anti-tank weaponry. Most common portable missiles and rockets simply lack the hitting power.

Table 1. Abrams Armor Thickness vs RPG-7 Capabilities

Can the RPG-7 Damage an Abrams?

The standard RPG-7 launcher found worldwide fires 85-105mm anti-tank rockets from a simple, low-velocity smoothbore tube. Even the largest PG-7VR 105mm warhead can only penetrate around 300mm of rolled homogeneous steel armor. This is woefully insufficient to defeat the Abram‘s turret or frontal hull armor that shrugs off most RPG hits.

• The only RPG possibly posing a threat is the rare PG-7VR tandem charge rocket – if the first warhead can defeat the ERA tiles, the follow-up could penetrate up to 750mm RHA. But widespread availability is unlikely.

• Glancing hits to the thin side hull armor (under the heavy side skirts) occasionally caused RPGs to detonate during the Iraq War. But damage was generally minimal. No Abrams tanks were destroyed solely by RPG impacts.

So during frontal engagements, M1 Abrams tanks could advance through fields of RPG fire accepting hits with minimal concern in most cases. Only mobility kills resulting from very lucky side or track impacts prove possible.

Have Advanced RPGs Destroyed the M1 Abrams?

While basic PG-7 round cannot penetrate the Abrams, purpose-designed tandem charge RPGs have proven more effective:

• The RPG-29 used by Iraqi insurgents famously destroyed an Abrams during the mid-2000s. By defeating the ERA tiles, the follow-up main charge could penetrate and detonate stored ammunition.

• Saudi Arabian M1 tanks have suffered losses to Iranian-supplied anti-tank missiles fired by Houthi fighters in Yemen. Again tandem charges allow these rockets to overwhelm the ERA and reach the more vulnerable interior hull & turret armor underneath.

The chart below shows even advanced RPGs lack the raw penetration necessary to defeat the heavy frontal turret and glacis armor on an M1A2. But engine compartments, ammunition storage, and crew locations remain vulnerable once ERA is penetrated.

Table 2. Advanced RPG/Missile Capabilities vs Abrams Protection

So in a frontal confrontation, an upgraded M1A2 still retains the advantage versus any portable anti-tank weaponry. But well-aimed flank attacks can defeat even heavy NATO tanks. Conway‘s Law of War remains in effect!

Could Games Accurately Model This Weapons Matchup?

As a gamer myself, I‘m pleased to see realistic reloads, ammunition choices, armor simulations, and component damage in titles like War Thunder or Armored Brigade. The detailed armor penetration and hit location mechanics show weak spots lacking ERA coverage can be exploited once detailed unit information is available.

However, gauging exact armor stats, component placement, and module health pools proves tricky. Classified armor composition and the chaotic nature of real combat means no simulation can claim complete accuracy. And "lucky" hits always remain a possibility!

Still, mature war games certainly try their best to help tactical enthusiasts understand real unit capabilities and vulnerabilities. Just don‘t expect your Abrams to be invulnerable charging an ATGM nest after watching one shrug off RPG fire!

So in summary, the M1 Abrams‘ overwhelming protection versus basic anti-tank rockets portrays accurately in most titles. But predicting the outcomes of more advanced matchups given imperfect information poses an ongoing challenge for developers and players alike!