Infantry weapons / Rocket launchers / M9 Bazooka
M9 Bazooka
General Facts
- TYPE
Rocket launcher - ORIGIN
United States - NICKNAMES
- - DESIGNED
1942 - DESIGNER
Edward Uhl - PRODUCTION
1942 - 1944 (M1)
1944 - ? (M9) - PRODUCERS United States
- QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Reuseable launch tube
Limited armor penetration
Unreliable ammunition
Large backblast and smoke trail
Introduction
The Bazooka is a rocket launcher of United States origin. It was developed during World War 2 to provide portable anti-armor capability for infantry. The nickname Bazooka was derived from the similar looking musical instrument.
Design
The Bazooka consists of a metal launch tube with iron sights, shoulder rest and vertical grip. The single piece 60mm rockets are loaded from the rear. The Bazooka 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 60mm HEAT rockets can penetrate up to 100mm of homogenous steel armor. The improved rounds used in the M9 penetrate up to 125mm. The maximum effective range is 100 meters. A rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute can be achieved.
Users
The Bazooka was widely used by US forces during World War 2. The improved Super Bazooka replaced it during the Korean War. The Bazooka was provides to European armed forces and other allies once no longer needed by US forces.
M1 Bazooka
The M1 was the original version of the Bazooka. The M1A1 is a simplified design with an improved electrical system and without a forward handgrip.
- Specifications:
- M1 Bazooka
- M1A1 Bazooka
| Type | Rocket launcher |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 or 2 |
| Caliber | 60 mm |
| Length | 1.37 m |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.9 kg empty |
| Sights | Mechanical |
| Ammunition | M6 shaped charge rocket |
| Guidance | None, free flight |
| Velocity | ? |
|---|---|
| Range | |
| Penetration | 80 mm RHA |
| Remarks | Reusable launcher |
| Type | Rocket launcher |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 or 2 |
| Caliber | 60 mm |
| Length | 1.37 m |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.8 kg empty |
| Sights | Mechanical |
| Ammunition | M6A1 shaped charge rocket |
| Guidance | None, free flight |
| Velocity | ? |
|---|---|
| Range | |
| Penetration | 80 mm RHA |
| Remarks | Reusable launcher |
M9 Bazooka
The M9 is a strengthened and improved version of the M1A1. This allows it to fire the improved M6A3 rocket. The improvements include an optical sight and metal furniture. The M9A1 has the battery ignition replaced by a magneto trigger.
- Specifications:
- M9 Bazooka
| Type | Rocket launcher |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 or 2 |
| Caliber | 60 mm |
| Length | 1.55 m |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.5 kg empty |
| Sights | Mechanical |
| Ammunition | M6A3 shaped charge rocket |
| Guidance | None, free flight |
| Velocity | ? |
|---|---|
| Range | |
| Penetration | 105mm RHA |
| Remarks | Reusable launcher |