FFV Pansarskott m/68 (Miniman)

History of the FFV Pansarskott m/68 (Miniman)

In the post-war period (1947-1991) the rise of more heavily armored and armed tracked vehicles led to the same proliferation of anti-armor anti-tank weapons . A prime example is the FFV Pansarskot m/68 "Miniman", developed by Sweden's FFV Ordnance (Forsvarets FabriksVerk) to better equip squad infantry against armored threats. The Miniman was launched in 1968 (although it has been a success since then) and seems to have only moderate use in Europe.

The core of the weapon is a 74mm HEAT (High Explosive, Anti-Tank) projectile fired from a 2.10ft shoulder-fired tube with a range of 270 yards (moving targets can be used within 160 yards for maximum effectiveness). The copper-lined, spring-loaded/fin-stabilized projectile exits the launch tube at a muzzle velocity of 520 feet per second and is loaded with an octaol filler, which, combined with the projectile's shape, is proven capable of destroying rolled homogenates up to 340mm Armor (RHA).

One-piece fiberglass launch tubes are fully disposable single-shot launch tubes that come pre-installed at the factory and are almost ready to fire (two guns in one carrying case). Weighing only 6.5 pounds, operators can carry several into the field along with their standard weapons (a second infantryman can act as a gunner's support if needed).

A simplified sight is installed for accurate long-range shooting, as well as a trigger lever and fire button.

The result is a very useful, ultra-portable weapon system in the same style as the U.S. M72 LAW (described in detail elsewhere on this site) and capable of countering most armored threats that might occur in standard infantry detachments.

Since both ends of the barrel are open, the gun is essentially recoilless (which helps with accuracy), although this hinders its operation in enclosed spaces like buildings. The anti-tank properties of the shell may also be useful to some extent when removing reinforced structures.

The Miniman was officially replaced in the Swedish Army inventory by the FFV AT4 anti-tank weapon system (described in detail elsewhere on this site), which was introduced in 1987 and is now operated by dozens of operators around the world, including the United States, which have since established More respectable military service has been seen since. The AT4 uses the same launch system as the proven Miniman product of the Cold War era.

The operators of the Miniman also include Austria and Finland, known as "Panzerabwehrrohr 70 (PAR70)" and "74 KES 68 MINIMAN" respectively.

Specification

Base

Year of Service

1968

Origins

Sweden

Categories

Portable, shoulder-mounted, disposable anti-tank weapon system

Manufacturer

Forsvarets FabriksVerk (FFV) Ordnance Sweden

Operator

Austria; Finland; Sweden

ROLLING

Anti-Tank/Anti-Tank/Anti-Material

Designed to engage at long range and defeat armored/enemy tanks.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

900mm

35. 43 inches

Run Length

900mm

35. 43 inches

Cured weight

6.39 lbs

2.90 kg

Attractions

Integrated attractions (simple).

Action

Synthesis mechanism

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

74mm

Circle/Feed

Single shot; disposable launch tube

POWER

Maximum efficiency. Arrived

820 feet

(250m | 273m)

Rate of fire

1

Number of revolutions

Mile speed

520 ft/sec

(158 m/sec)

VARIANTS

Miniman - Base Series Name. Pansarskott m/68 - Swedish Army designation. Panzerabwehrrrohr 70 (PAR70) Austrian Army designation. 74 KES 68 MINIMAN - Finnish Army designation.