APILAS

The RAC 112 APILAS (Armor-Piercing Infantry Light Arm System) is a portable one-shot 112 mm recoilless anti-tank weapon, designed in France by GIAT Industries. Over 120,000 of the APILAS launchers have been produced, and they are in service with many countries.

APILAS
The APILAS on display at the 2014 Flag Day event, sponsored by the Finnish military.
TypeAnti-tank weapon
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1985-present
Used bySee Operators
Wars
Production history
DesignerGIAT Industries
ManufacturerGIAT Industries
Unit cost€2,000
Produced1985-2006
No. built120,000
Specifications
Mass9 kg (19.84 lb)
Length1,300 mm (51.2 in)
Barrel length180 mm (7.1 in)
Caliber112 mm (4.4 in)
Muzzle velocity293 m/s (961 ft/s)
Effective firing range25–350 m
Maximum firing range500 m
APILAS antitank rocket projectile
APILAS launcher
External images
APILAS - 1983 1st Version
image icon APILAS and soldier 1[3]
image icon APILAS and soldier 2
image icon APILAS and soldier 3
image icon APILAS and soldier 4
image icon APILAS launcher and rocket
image icon APILAS rocket projectile

Description

The APILAS is supplied in an aramid fibre launcher tube with a retractable sight. The effective range of APILAS is from 25 m (it takes 25 m for the rocket to arm itself) up to 300-500 m depending on the target. The shaped charge warhead is electrically fused and will detonate at impact angles up to 80 degrees.[4]

Although heavy, the APILAS is able to pierce 700 mm of RHA.[2] Within the French Army it is categorized as "traumatic weapon", because of its blast and noise. A French soldier cannot fire it more than three times in his service during peacetime.[5]

An off-route mine system was developed using the APILAS rocket mounted on a tripod using a sensor package, or tripwires.

Production

84,000 were ordered in 1984 by the French Army to replace the LRAC F1 until the adoption of the Eryx short-range missile.[5] The French company Matra Manurhin Défense (now NEXTER - ex GIAT) produced 120,000 APILAS between 1985 and 2006.[6]

Specifications
  • Calibre: 112 mm
  • Length
    • Launcher:
      • Transportation: 1290 mm
      • Fire-ready: 1260 mm
    • Projectile: 920 mm
  • Weight:
    • Overall: 9.0 kg
    • Projectile: 4.3 kg
    • Launcher: 4.7 kg
  • Range: 25 m to 300 m + (moving target) 500 m + (static target)
  • Engine: Solid-fuel rocket
  • Muzzle velocity: 293 m/s
  • Time of flight to 500 m: 1.9 s
  • Warhead: 1.5 kg shaped charge capable of penetrating 720 mm RHAe or 2 m of concrete
  • Trigger: Piezoelectric sensor with 50g black powder

Operators
Map with APILAS operators in blue

See also

References
  1. Rottman, Gordon L. (1993). Armies of the Gulf War. Elite 45. Osprey Publishing. pp. 58-59. ISBN 9781855322776.
  2. Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (8 September 2015). "French APILAS anti-tank weapon in Syria". armamentresearch.com.
  3. the first versions did not have the gunner's face mask, but was added later due to unburn propellant after the projectile left the tube
  4. Gander, Terry J. (2001). "Giat Industries APILAS light anti-tank weapon". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002–2003. pp. 1790–1791.
  5. "ROQUETTE ANTICHAR DE 112 mm appelée également " RAC 112 APILAS "". musee-infanterie.com (in French). Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  6. "Nous sommes fiers de – Lance-roquette anti-char APILAS" [We are proud of – APILAS anti-tank rocket launcher]. manurhin-group.com (in French).
  7. Darcourt, Pierre (January 1984). "Tchad: le désert des Tartares". La Gazette des armes (in French). No. 125. pp. 16–19.
  8. The Military Balance 2009. Routledge. January 26, 2009. pp. 173, 264, 293. ISBN 9780415498463.
  9. "Establishment of the 1 Reconnaissance Commando".

Sources
  • Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005–2006
  • Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance 2005–2006
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