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Shoulder-fired missile

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Shoulder-fired weapons system

Shoulder-fired missile,shoulder-launched missileorman-portable missile,among other variants, are commonslang-terms to describehigh-calibershoulder-mountedweapons systems– that is: weapons firing large heavy projectiles ( "missiles" ), typically using thebackblast principle,which are small enough to be carried by a single person and fired while held on one'sshoulder.The word "missile"in this context is used in its original broad sense of a heavy projectile, and encompasses allshellsandrockets,guidedor unguided (compare withguided missile). A more formal variant is simplyshoulder-fired weapons systemand the like.[1]

Shoulder-launched weapons may beguidedorunguided,and the systems can either be disposable, such as thePanzerfaust 1,M72 LAW,AT4,etc, or reusable, such as thePanzerfaust 2,Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle,RPG-7,etc. Some systems are classified as semi-disposable, such as thePanzerfaust 3.

Slang nicknames

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In many instances, the namebazookais regularly used as an informal name for shoulder mounted "tube-like" launchers, stemming from the actual historical shoulder-fired missile-systems named such, the famousM1 BazookaandM20 Super Bazookaman-portable rocket launchers ofWorld War II.

The namerocket-propelled grenade(RPG) is regularly used as an informal name for man-portable unguided rocket-launcher systems, abackronymfrom theRussianacronymРПГ(Ручной Противотанковый Гранатомёт,Ruchnoy Protivotankovy Granatomyot), meaning "handheld anti-tank grenade launcher", the Russian term for infantry-carried anti-tank weapons, not only encompassing rocket-systems (see theRPG-2for example).

Description

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Types

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Shoulder-launched weapons avoid the problem ofrecoilby directing all exhaust out of the rear of the launch tube, the so-calledbackblast principle.

There are many types of shoulder-launched missile-weapons. Some systems are reloadable or semi-reusable, while others are single-use disposable systems, much in the same manner as ahand grenade.Ammunition traditionally use thebackblast principlefor propulsion, meaning that when fired, the propellant gases are expelled out of the back of the weapon to alleviate thereactionalforce exerted from the projectile moving forward.

If the weapon fires ammunition using fixed propellant charges, such as throughcartridge caseson reloadable systems or a fixed container on singe-use systems, it is generally called a man-portable or shoulder-launched/firedrecoilless rifleorrecoilless gun,depending on if it uses arifledorsmoothborebarrel, essentially open-breechcannons.Smoothbore systems generally fire fin-stabilised munitions.

If the weapon firesrocket-propelledorrocket-assisted projectiles(booster launched), it is generally called a man-portable or shoulder-launched/firedrocket launcheror missile-system, depending on, depending on whether the ammunition is unguided or guided. Such systems typically use a small recoilless charge (a so-called booster charge) or compressed gas system to get the projectile out of the barrel and to a distance where the operator will not be hurt by the rocket's backblast; when the rocket ignites at a safe distance, it further accelerates the projectile or at least keeps it from decelerating in its trajectory.

Roles

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Polish soldiers prepare to fire PZR Grom MANPADS.

Shoulder-launched weapons typically fire at one of two main target types — ground targets or air targets. Weapons for use against ground targets come in a wide variety of types and sizes, with smaller, unguided weapons generally used for close range combat and larger, guided systems for longer ranges. Most of these weapons are designed mainly foranti-tank warfare,asanti-tank guided missiles(ATGMs) and carry one or two (atandem-charge)high-explosive anti-tank(HEAT)shaped chargewarheads. However, they are also effective against structures, and many such weapons have been designed specifically for such targets.

Anti-aircraftweapons, known asman-portable air-defense systems(MANPADS), are smallsurface-to-air missiles.They usually haveinfrared homingand are used againsthelicopters,unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs) and other low-flyingfixed-wing aircraft.

History

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An illustration of a fire arrow rocket launcher as depicted in the 11th century bookWujing Zongyao.The launcher is constructed using basketry

Rocket-based weapons have a long history, from theblack powderfire arrowsused by theancient Chineseto theCongreve rocketreferenced in "The Star-Spangled Banner,"thenational anthemof theUnited States.They have always been prized for the portability of their launch systems.

The earliest rocket launchers documented in imperial China launchedfire arrowswith launchers constructed of wood, basketry, and bamboo tubes.[2]The rocket launchers divided the fire arrows with frames meant to keep the arrows separated, and were capable of firing multiple arrow rockets at once. Textual evidence and illustrations of various early rocket launchers are found in the 11th centurySouthern Song DynastytextWujing Zongyao.TheWujing Zongyaodescribes a portable rocket arrow carrier consisting of a sling and a bamboo tube.[3]

Shoulder-launched rockets have a launch tube. In order to prevent the user from being burned by the exhaust, the rocket (or at least its first stage) must burn out before it leaves the tube, and if present the second stage must fire once the rocket is well clear of the launcher. Even if the operator is safe, there is a sizeable blast effect to the rear.

Also, the rocket must have a reliable ignition system. In modern systems, this is almost always apercussion cap.This system was not fully developed until the GermanPanzerfaustofWorld War II,an early one-shot design that also was the first practical recoilless antitank gun and thus used no rocket. TheBazookawas an early rocket-propelled development which could be reloaded.[clarification needed]

Usage

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From their first conception during the First World War, many portable missiles have been used to give infantry a weapon effective against armored vehicles and fortified structures. The power of the shaped charge meant that the effectiveness of the weapon was not limited by a gun barrel bore nor size of weapon as for example a conventional armor-piercing shell from an artillery piece. As such these man-portable weapons could be used to equip infantry units with their own anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons.

Shoulder-launched rockets or recoilless guns are a favored anti-technical weapon. They permit otherwise lightly or poorly armed troops (e.g.militias) to destroy modern sophisticated equipment such as close air-support aircraft, helicopters, and lightly armored vehicles.

Attacks come from ambush for the element of surprise and attempt to immobilize a convoy of vehicles, then destroy its defenders, then destroy its contents, then escape before air or artillery support can arrive.

Normally, the militia will plan to have two to four shooters per attacked vehicle. Reliable attack ranges are 50 to 100 m, although attacks can succeed out to 300 m. Self-destruct ranges of common rocket weapons such asRPG-7sare about 900 m.

The usual response to such attacks is to suppress the shooters, with saturation anti-personnel fire, artillery or aerial barrages in area-denial attacks. Submunition andthermobaric weaponsare often used to clear landing zones (LZ) for helicopters.

In modern counter-insurgency operations in misty, dusty or night-time situations, advanced optics such asinfraredtelescopes permit helicopter gunships to observe convoys from beyond human-visible range and still attack insurgents with inexpensive anti-personnel fire. This approach is more economical than area-denial. Protecting as little as 20% of the convoys rapidly depletes an area of active insurgents.

Some examples of shoulder-launched missiles

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Weapons below are listed in Alpha betical order:

Anti-tank

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A German soldier using aPanzerfaust,a single-uselight antitank weapon,traditionally fired "under-arm" instead of shoulde-fired like modern systems, Ukraine, 1944.
US-soldiers firing a Swedish AT4 single-use disposable light antitank weapon during familiarization training at the Udari range inKuwait,2004.
  • France1987 –Wasp 58Light Anti-Armour Weapon

Anti-aircraft

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AJASDFsoldier handles aType 91 Kai MANPADSduring exercises as a part ofRed Flag – Alaska.

Fire support/multi-purpose

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Flamethrowers

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Russian soldier with a single-use disposableRPO-A Shmelrocket flamethrower.

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Shoulder Fired Systems".nammo.Nordic Ammunition Company.Retrieved2023-04-25.Nammo has manufactured shoulder fired systems since the 1960s.. The main difference between a shoulder fired weapon like the M72..
  2. ^Joseph Needham (1974).Science and Civilisation in China: Military Technology The Gunpowder Epic.Cambridge University Press. p. 488.ISBN978-0-521-30358-3.
  3. ^Needham 1974,p. 495
  4. ^AMREG A, Ammunitionsregister, Armén, 1960 års utgåva, ändringar 5-1972(in Swedish). Stockholm, Sweden:Swedish Defence Materiel Administration(FMV). 1972.
  5. ^"37 mm granatgevär fm/43"(PDF).Retrieved2023-04-14.
  6. ^"47 mm granatgevär fm/1945".Retrieved2023-04-14.