The RPG is termed a "rocket propelled grenade" but it's an anti-tank rocket launcher. In simple terms it's the same thing as a commie Bazooka.
They are good weapons. They hit hard, have a good range, and are dual purpose in that you can shoot other things than tanks, like people, etc. They are heavy, and their rounds are big.
The US went a different route. We produced LAW rocket launchers which were disposable. Basically instead of one guy with a RPG and three rounds, you had the LAW issued as a round of ammo and you could have 11 guys in a squad armed with them. That's 11 different guys, shooting from 11 different angles at the tank. They didn't have the range or punch of the RPG, but you had more of them.
The LAW has been replaced in the US with the AT-4, which is a bigger disposable AT rocket launcher. This would be the current US counterpart to the RPG.
There are several other weapons under development, like MAWS, etc. that are basically reloadable rocket launchers of one type or another.
The Ranger Battalions use the 84mm Carl Gustav Recoiless rifle. That's a shoulder fired weapon, that will bust big holes in things.
The M203 40mm Grenade launcher isn't really comparable to the RPG, as it's a different type weapon. It was our replacement for the rifle grenade that was fired off the end of the rifle. As a comparison, for example in Africa where rifle grenades are still in use in the bush, a rifle grenade will go about 100-150 meters, and not be too accurate. A 40mm M203 will go 450 meters, and at shorter ranges has the accuracy to fire through windows.
Ross