The RPO-A "Shmel" (rus. "РПО-А Шмель") ("Bumblebee") is a man-portable rocket launcher although it is classified as a flamethrower (rus. Реактивный Пехотный Огнемет).
The RPO-A is a single-shot, self-contained tube shaped launcher which operates much like some RPG and LAW rocket launchers. The launcher is a sealed tube, carried in a man-pack in pairs. The same person can remove the tube, place it in firing position, and launch the weapon without assistance. After launch, the tube is discarded. All models are externally similar.
Each weapon contains a single rocket, of which there are three varieties. The basic rocket is the RPO-A, which has a thermobaric warhead and is designed for attacking soft targets under moderate cover. The RPO-Z is the incendiary warhead (rus. зажигательный) designed to spread fire and ignite targets. Finally, there is a smoke-producing warhead (rus. дымовой) offered, the RPO-D.