Two U.S. companies plan to develop and manufacture RPG-7 rockets locally and are looking at the first quarter of next year for the start of production.

AirTronic USA said research, development and testing will begin immediately with Chemring Ordnance Inc.

"We are very excited about this teaming arrangement with Chemring Ordnance," said Richard Vandiver, chief operating officer of AirTronic USA. "Their experience, resources and expertise in the 40mm munitions space is unequaled and complements AirTronic's own capabilities.

This agreement forms the industry's best team and brings a shoulder-fired recoilless rifle system (launcher and rockets) to the market that we believe will be superior to anything available globally."

Vandiver said the the Department of the Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground, issued a Safety Release to the company last month, allowing AirTronic's 40mm shoulder-fired anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher to be fired at the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiments Spiral J event in January through March 2015.

The experiments are being conducted by the U.S. Army Maneuver Battle Lab at Fort Benning, GA.

"We are excited to partner with AirTronic USA to establish a capability for RPG-7 ammunition, and provide the U.S. customer with a complete RPG solution," said Mike Quesenberry, president of Chemring Ordnance, a subsidiary of Britain's Chemring Group.

The RPG-7 was introduced by the Soviet Union in 1961. It has become a standard armament around the world.