Armbrust

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).

For the surname, see Armbrust (surname).
Armbrust
An Armbrust launcher
TypeRecoilless gun
Place of originWest Germany
Service history
Used bySee Operators
WarsCambodian–Vietnamese War
Croatian War of Independence
Slovenian War of Independence
Kosovo War
Cambodian–Thai border stand-off
2013 Lahad Datu standoff
Production history
DesignerMesserschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB)
ManufacturerMesserschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB)
Pouderies Réunies de Belgique (PRB)
ST Kinetics (STK)
VariantsArmbrust AT, Armbrust AP, Armbrust Ub, Armbrust SC
Specifications
Mass6.3 kg (13 lb 14 oz)
Length850 mm (2 ft 9 in)
Width126 mm (5.0 in)
Height140 mm (5.5 in)
Caliber67 mm (2.6 in)
ActionRecoilless weapon
Muzzle velocity210 m/s (690 ft/s)
Effective firing range300 m (980 ft)
Maximum firing range1,500 m (4,900 ft)
Feed systemSingle shot
SightsReticle, externally illuminated for night

Overview
Comparing the Armbrust (top) and MATADOR (bottom)
An Armbrust 67 mm projectile (via Iraq OIG)

The Armbrust is a recoilless weapon, and is one of the few weapons of this 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 counter-shot 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 of the front and the plastic out of the back. The plastic disperses on 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 steel armor.[1]

Since 2004, Armbrusts have gradually been replaced by the Israeli-German-Singapore co-developed MATADOR.[2]

Combat use

During the Cambodian–Vietnamese War, Armbrust was supplied to the Cambodian Khmer Rouge. It was used in their fight against the Cambodian government, as well as against Vietnamese Army.[3][4] Cuban troops in Angola captured several Armbrust launchers from UNITA during the late 1980s.[5]

Operators
Map with Armbrust operators in blue
Line drawing of the Armbrust (via Iraq OIG)
External images
Armbrust 1980s brochure photos
image icon Soldier firing Armbrust
image icon Details of Armbrust and cut-away drawing
image icon Details of firing of Armbrust low launch signature
image icon Details of Armbrust anti-armour and anti-personnel projectiles

Current operators

See also

References
  1. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995-96, page 318, edited by T. Gander and I. Hogg, ISBN 0-7106-1241-9
  2. "Factsheet - MATADOR: Unguided Short Range Anti-Armour Weapon (SRAAW)" (Press release). Singaporean Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). 15 June 2005. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  3. New Straits Times: Khmer Rouge using Missiles made in West, March, 12. 1994
  4. Die Zeit, Michael Sontheimer: Die Mörder kehren zurück, January, 12. 1990 (German)
  5. Furlong, Robert D.M. (Feb 1, 1990). "US anti-tank missile developments". Armada International.
  6. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  7. "Kopassus & Kopaska - Specijalne Postrojbe Republike Indonezije" (in Croatian). Hrvatski Vojnik Magazine. Archived from the original on 2010-08-22. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  8. "Armbrust in the AFP". Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
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