Armbrust
| Armbrust | |
|---|---|
 An Armbrust launcher (via Iraq OIG). | |
| Type | Anti-tank weapon |
| Place of origin |  West Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Users |
| Wars | Cambodian–Vietnamese War Croatian War of Independence Slovenian War of Independence |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) |
| Manufacturer | Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) Pouderies Réunies de Belgique (PRB) ST Kinetics (STK) |
| Variants | Armbrust AT, Armbrust AP, Armbrust Ub, Armbrust SC |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 6.3 kg |
| Length | 850 mm |
| Width | 126 mm |
| Height | 140 mm |
| Caliber | 67 mm |
| Action | Recoilless weapon |
| Muzzle velocity | 210 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 300 m |
| Maximum firing range | 1500 m |
| Feed system | Single shot |
| Sights | Reticle, externally illuminated for night |
Armbrust (German: Crossbow) is a lightweight unguided anti-tank weapon designed and developed by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm of Germany, who later sold its manufacturing rights to Chartered Industries of Singapore (the predecessor of ST Kinetics).
Overview
The Armbrust is a recoilless weapon, and its design is one of the few weapons of its kind that may safely be fired in an enclosed space. The propellant charge is placed between two pistons with the projectile in front of one and a mass of shredded plastic in the rear. Unlike most recoilless weapons, it is a true countershot weapon as the mass of the projectile is equal to the mass of the counterweight and they are ejected from the barrel at the same initial velocity. When the weapon is fired the propellant expands pushing the two pistons out. The projectile is forced out the front and the plastic out the back. The plastic disperses upon leaving the back of the barrel, and is quickly stopped by air resistance. The pistons jam at either end of the barrel locking the hot gases inside. Its warhead can penetrate up to 300 mm of armoured steel. [1]
Since 2004, Armbrusts are gradually being replaced by the Singapore-German-Israeli co-developed MATADOR.
Combat Use
Slovenia and Croatia also acquired stocks of Armbrust for use by local troops against the JNA in the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s.
During the Cambodian–Vietnamese War, Armbrust was also supplied to the Cambodian Khmer Rouge during the same decade. It was used in their fight against the Cambodian government, as well as against the invading Vietnamese Army.[2][3]
Users
| External images | |
|---|---|
| Armbrust 1980s brochure photos | |
 Soldier firing Armbrust | |
| Details of Armbrust and cut-away drawing | |
| Details of firing of Armbrust low launch signature | |
| Details of Armbrust anti-armour and anti-personnel projectiles |
Former user
External links
- Jane's: ST Kinetics Armbrust short-range anti-armour weapon
- Armbrust antitank grenade launcher - Modern Firearms
References
- ^ Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995-96, page 318, edited by T. Gander and I. Hogg, ISBN 0 7106 1241 9
- ^ New Straits Times: Khmer Rouge using Missiles made in West, March, 12. 1994
- ^ Die Zeit, Michael Sontheimer: Die Mörder kehren zurück, January, 12. 1990 (German)