Miniman

The Miniman (Swedish military designation Pansarskott m/68, abbreviated Pskott m/68[1]) is a disposable single-shot 74-mm unguided anti-tank smooth bore recoilless weapon, designed in Sweden by Försvarets Fabriksverk (FFV) and became operational in 1968.

Pansarskott m/68 "Miniman"
Pansarskott m/68 "Miniman"
TypeAnti-tank
Place of originSweden
Service history
In service1968
Production history
ManufacturerFFV Ordnance
Specifications
Mass2.9 kg (6 lb 6 oz)
Length0.9 m (2 ft 11 in)
Crew1-2
CartridgeHEAT
Caliber74 mm (2.9 in)
Muzzle velocity160 m/s (520 ft/s)
Effective firing range150 m (160 yd) (moving target)
250 m (270 yd) (stationary target)
Maximum firing range250 m (270 yd)
FillingOctol
Filling weight330 g (12 oz)
External images
Pansarskott m/68 "Miniman"
image icon Swedish Soldier preparing to fire Miniman
image icon Pskott m/68 from Swedish Army manual
image icon top French SARPAC, middle US M72 LAW, bottom Swedish MINIMAN
image icon Miniman high-low launch system located behind 74mm HEAT projectile
image icon Miniman 74mm HEAT warhead showing unique rear located piezoelectric fuzing system

Description

The Miniman is delivered with the HEAT projectile pre-loaded launch tube. In appearance, the Miniman is similar to a single section tube US M72 LAW and French Sarpac of the same era.[2] In 1986 the Swedish Army adopted the FFV AT4, designated the Pansarskott m/86, to replace the Miniman. FFV engineers adopted the rugged but simple firing and safety mechanism of the Miniman for the AT4. The Miniman uses a unique version of the high-low chamber launch system that results in no recoil.

Moving targets can be attacked at a range of 150 m (490 ft) while stationary targets may be engaged out to 250 metres (820 ft). The Miniman's HEAT projectile has a copper liner and can penetrate 340 mm (13 in) of rolled homogeneous armour.[3]

Users

Former users
  •  Austria - known as PAR 70 (Panzerabwehrrohr 70).[4]
  •  Finland - known as 74 KES 68 Miniman (74 millimetrin kertasinko malli 1968 Miniman, '74 millimetre disposable recoilless rifle model 1968 Miniman').[4][5]
  •  Sweden - known as Pskott m/68 (Pansarskott modell 1968), replaced by the m/86.[4]

See also

Reference and notes
  1. Pansarskott translates roughly to English as "armour shot".
  2. The M72 has a telescoping two piece tube.
  3. JIW, p. 718.
  4. "FFV Pansarskott m/68 (Miniman)". militaryfactory.com. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  5. "Disposable anti-tank weapons used by the Finnish Defence Forces". panssarimuseo.fi. Parola Tank Museum. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  • (JIW) Ian Hogg, Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984-85, London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1984.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.