Miniman antitank weapon
Encyclopedia
The Miniman 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. The Miniman is delivered with the HEAT
projectile pre-loaded launch tube. In appearance, the Miniman is similar to the US M72 LAW
and French SARPAC
of the that era, but instead with a single section tube. 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 meters while stationary targets may be engaged out to 250 meters. The Pansarskott's HEAT projectile has a copper liner and can penetrate 340 mm of rolled homogeneous armor.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
by Försvarets Fabriksverk (FFV) and became operational in 1968. The Miniman is delivered with the HEAT
Heat
In physics and thermodynamics, heat is energy transferred from one body, region, or thermodynamic system to another due to thermal contact or thermal radiation when the systems are at different temperatures. It is often described as one of the fundamental processes of energy transfer between...
projectile pre-loaded launch tube. In appearance, the Miniman is similar to the US M72 LAW
M72 LAW
The M72 LAW is a portable one-shot 66 mm unguided anti-tank weapon, designed in the United States by Paul V. Choate, Charles B. Weeks, and Frank A. Spinale et al...
and French SARPAC
Sarpac
Sarpac is a French manufactured recoilless individual anti-antitank/assault rocket weapon.The Sarpac was developed by the company Hotchkiss-Brandt, and it was primarily designed as an anti-tank weapon, but it is also useful against fortified positions constructed of concrete...
of the that era, but instead with a single section tube. In 1986 the Swedish Army adopted the FFV AT4
AT4
The AT4 is an 84-mm unguided, portable, single-shot recoilless smoothbore weapon built in Sweden by Saab Bofors Dynamics...
, 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
High-Low System
The High-Low system also referred to as the "High-Low Pressure system", the "High-Low Propulsion System", and the "High-Low projection system", is a design of cannon and antitank launcher using a smaller high-pressure chamber for storing the propellant...
that results in no recoil.
Moving targets can be attacked at a range of 150 meters while stationary targets may be engaged out to 250 meters. The Pansarskott's HEAT projectile has a copper liner and can penetrate 340 mm of rolled homogeneous armor.
Users
- Austria - known as PAR 70 (Panzerabwehrrohr)
- Finland
- Sweden - known as Pskott m/68, replaced by the m/86AT4The AT4 is an 84-mm unguided, portable, single-shot recoilless smoothbore weapon built in Sweden by Saab Bofors Dynamics...
Reference and notes
- (JIW) Ian Hogg, Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984-85, London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1984.