M80 Zolja
| M80 Zolja | |
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| general information | |
| Military designation: | Ručni Raketni Bacač (RBR) M80 |
| Country of operation: | Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia |
| Manufacturer country: | Serbia, Macedonia |
| Weapon Category: | Grenade weapon |
| Furnishing | |
| Overall length: | Transport: 860 mm, ready to fire: 1,200 mm |
| Technical specifications | |
| Caliber : | 64 mm |
| Ammunition supply : | Gun is delivered loaded |
| Fire types: | single use |
| Lists on the subject | |
The M80 "Zolja" (German: M80 "Wasp", Serbian: M80 "Зоља") is a portable, single-use anti-tank weapon in 64 mm caliber, which was manufactured in the former Yugoslav republics of Serbia and Macedonia . The weapon was used extensively by all parties to the conflict during the Yugoslav wars.
General
The M80 is used to combat armored vehicles and armored systems and consists of the launch tube and the shaped charge grenade integrated into it . The weapon is operated by only one shooter and can no longer be reloaded after firing (single-use weapon). In terms of appearance and function, it is very similar to the US M72 LAW . The grenade consists of a warhead with an ignition system and a wing-stabilized rocket motor.
The warhead consists of a shell with a ballistic hood , an inner shell, a shaped charge insert with an explosive behind it and the UT-PE M80 SP ignition system.
The ignition system consists of a top and a bottom part. In the head part there is a piezo element , while in the bottom part there is an electric detonator, which is ignited by the current generated by the piezo element. The two parts of the detonator are connected by an external and internal circuit, which are formed by the metal parts of the grenade.
function
Before the launch, the two flaps at the front and rear ends of the barrel are removed and the launch barrel pulled apart. After pulling out the release lever behind the trigger device, the weapon is ready to fire. When the trigger is pulled, the fuse and the rocket motor charge are ignited via a percussion cap. The resulting pressure releases the grenade and the rocket motor charge drives it out of the barrel. The remains of the ignition device are thrown out of the pipe. The propellant charge is burned out of the barrel before the grenade leaves, so there is no danger to the shooter. After leaving the pipe, the stabilizing wings open.
The fuse is released when the grenade is fired and ends approx. 6 m to 20 m after the muzzle. When the grenade hits the target, the piezo element is deformed, a current pulse is generated and the explosive charge detonated via the electric detonator. After a flight time of four to six seconds without impact, the grenade is detonated by the detonator's self-destruction device.
Packaging and labeling
The M80 are delivered in wooden crates of four each, a full crate weighs 27 kg. The M80s inside are individually sealed in plastic bags.
The launch tube and warhead are camouflaged in green, and the rocket engine is gray. The launch tube, warhead, and rocket motor have yellow lettering. An operating manual with a black base color and white writing is also stuck to the launch tube.
Data
- Caliber: 64 mm
- Length of the launch tube: 860 mm (closed), 1,200 mm (open)
- Length of the grenade: 664 mm
- v0: 190 m / s
- Operational range: 20 m to 250 m
- Maximum firing range: 1,280 m
- Weight: 3 kg (total), 1.42 kg (barrel), 1.58 kg (grenade), 128 g (propellant charge)
- Penetration capacity: 300 mm armor steel
Others
After the wars, an unknown number of these weapons fell into the hands of organized criminal gangs and civilians and have been used for attacks and other criminal activities.