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Miniman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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

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.

Description

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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

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Former users

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  •  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

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Reference and notes

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  1. ^ Pansarskott translates roughly to English as "armour shot".
  2. ^ The M72 has a telescoping two piece tube.
  3. ^ JIW, p. 718.
  4. ^ a b c "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.
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