Infantry weapons / Rocket launchers / M20 Super Bazooka
M20 Super Bazooka
General Facts
- TYPE
Rocket launcher - ORIGIN
United States - NICKNAMES
Rocket Launcher, 3.5in M20 (official designation)
Type 51 (Chinese designation) - DESIGNED
Late 1940's - DESIGNER
? - PRODUCTION
1950 - 1960's (USA)
? - 1990's (Brazil) - PRODUCERS
Brazil - Hydroar
China
Spain - Instalaza
United States - QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Reusable launch tube
Simple to produce
Short range
Limited penetration
Introduction
The M20 Super Bazooka is a rocket launcher of United States origin. It is a larger and more capable version of the original Bazooka, as such the nickname became Super Bazooka.
Design
The M20 consists of a two-piece smoothbore launch tube that is fitted with a mechanical sight unit, vertical grip, shoulder support and monopod. The single piece 89mm rockets are loaded from the rear. The M20 is electrically fired by pulling the trigger placed at the vertical grip. The crew of two consists of an operator and a loader.
Firepower
The 89mm HEAT warheads can penetrate up to 280mm of homogenous steel armor. Later rounds have been developed with greater performance. The maximum effective range is 150 meters. A rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute can be achieved.
Users
The primary user of the M20 was the USA. It was adopted by most allies of the USA and remains in very limited service.
M20 Super Bazooka
The M20 is the original version, which was replaced in production by the M20B1. The M20B1 uses a cast aluminum barrel and is simplified in various areas. Both versions were produced with an improved connector latch and were designated M20A1 and M20A1B1 respectively.
| Type | Rocket launcher |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 or 2 |
| Caliber | 89 mm |
| Length | 1.524 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.5 kg empty |
| Sights | Mechanical |
| Ammunition | M28, M28A1, M28A2 HEAT rocket |
| Guidance | None, free flight |
| Velocity | ? |
|---|---|
| Range | |
| Penetration | 280 mm RHA |
| Remarks | Reusable launcher |
| Type | Rocket launcher |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 or 2 |
| Caliber | 89 mm |
| Length | 1.549 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.9 kg empty |
| Sights | Mechanical |
| Ammunition | M28, M28A1, M28A2 HEAT rocket |
| Guidance | None, free flight |
| Velocity | ? |
|---|---|
| Range | |
| Penetration | 280 mm RHA |
| Remarks | Reusable launcher |
Type 51
The Chinese Type 51 is a direct copy of the M20 Super Bazooka. The only difference is that the Type 51 has a 90mm barrel instead of 89mm. Chinese ammunition is of 90mm caliber and cannot be used in the M20, while the Type 51 can fire captured 89mm ammunition.
- Specifications:
- Type 51
| Type | Rocket launcher |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 or 2 |
| Caliber | 89 mm |
| Length | 1.530 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.45 kg empty |
| Sights | Mechanical |
| Ammunition | ? |
| Guidance | None, free flight |
| Velocity | 99 m/s |
|---|---|
| Range | |
| Penetration | 267 mm RHA |
| Remarks | Reusable launcher |
M65
The M65 is a Spanish development of the M20 Super Bazooka. The launcher is modernized and slightly longer. An optical sight is fitted which is also illuminated for night use. A range of more capable ammunition is used in this weapon. These rounds have a longer range and more effective warheads. The M65 can be identified by the bar below the launch tube.
- Specifications:
- M65
| Type | Rocket launcher |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 or 2 |
| Caliber | 89 mm |
| Length | 1.60 m, 0.83 m folded |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.4 kg empty |
| Sights | Mechanical |
| Ammunition | CH M66 HEAT, MB 66 incendiay |
| Guidance | None, free flight |
| Velocity | ? |
|---|---|
| Range | |
| Penetration | 330 mm RHA, 0.8 m concrete |
| Remarks | Reusable launcher |