The Panzerfaust 3 (lit.'armor fist' or 'tank fist') is a modern semi-disposable recoilless anti-tank weapon, which was developed between 1978 and 1985 and first entered service with the Bundeswehr in 1987 (although they did not officially adopt it until 1992). It was first ordered in 1973 to provide West German infantry with an effective weapon against contemporary Soviet armor, thereby replacing West Germany's aging PzF 44 Light Lanze launchers and the heavy Carl Gustaf 84 mm anti-tank recoilless rifle manufactured in Sweden.
The Panzerfaust 3 is operated by at least 11 countries and has seen combat in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
The Panzerfaust 3's name dates back to the Panzerfaust used by the German army in World War II, which consisted of a small, disposable preloaded launch tube firing a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, operated by one soldier.
The introduction of reactive and active armors on combat vehicles of the then Warsaw Pact countries started a development in the technology of the ability of the warheads, the effective range and the optical sights of anti-tank recoilless rifles were therefore improved substantially. Despite these technological improvements, the primary role of the recoilless firing system as the most effective weapon against armored tanks, at a distance up to 600 m (2,000 ft), remained the most important to infantrymen until the late 1990s.[4]
After the formation of the Bundeswehr in 1956, one task of all troop formations was "fighting armored vehicles and tanks". The Bundeswehr at the time was equipped with the aging Panzerfaust 44 and the heavy Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless rifle. These infantry weapon systems equipped with an armor-piercing shaped charge warhead would have fought not only tanks but also machine gun nests, anti-tank positions, bunkers or field positions, etc. in open terrain. During the 1970s, new conceptional and tactical considerations were made in order to balance the constantly progressing development in tank technology.
Timetable
Month
Year
Major development
1978
Concept definition
October
1978
Request for proposals
November
1979
Initial prototype fabricated
1980
First tests
1984
System man-rated
July
1987
Low-rate serial production begins
November
1987
Initial operational ability in Germany
February
1989
First export sale to Japan
August
1991
Second export sale to Switzerland
Late
1993
Development of new guided round revealed
July
1995
New urban combat round (Bunkerfaust) becomes available
2002–2003
Production ongoing and development of new warheads continues; competitive evaluation ongoing
In 1979, Dynamit Nobel AG received a development order. The first troop test began in 1986, and in 1992 the Panzerfaust 3 was officially introduced. The improved PzF 3-T replaced the original model in the late 1990s. This introduced a dual hollow charge "tandem" warhead to defeat explosive reactive armor. This means that the spike projecting from the warhead also contains an explosive charge to set off reactive armor and free the path to the main armor for the secondary warhead. The latest incarnation of the Panzerfaust 3, the PzF 3-IT-600, can be fired from ranges up to 600 m (2,000 ft) thanks to an advanced computer-assisted sighting and targeting mechanism.
As of 2005, there were two more models in the development or testing stage, both relying on smaller, and therefore lighter, warheads. These were the Rückstoßfreie Granatwaffe RGW (Recoilless Grenade Weapon) in calibres 60 and 90 mm (2.4 and 3.5 in). Both new weapons are expected to help facilitate the transition in German military doctrine from preparation for major tank battles to urban and low-level warfare.
Principle
A German Army corporal awaits orders to fire a Panzerfaust 3. Vaziani, Georgia, 2017.
The Panzerfaust 3 series of launchers is a compact, lightweight, shoulder-fired, unguided antitank weapon series. It consists of a disposable canister with a 110 mm (4.3 in) warhead and reusable firing and sighting device. The DM12 and DM12A1 projectile consists of a shaped-charge warhead and is filled with Octol 7030. The tandem DM22 warheads are made of PBX octogene (ca. 95% β-HMX) including the propulsion unit. The penetration performance of the Panzerfaust 3 is due to the shaped charge principle and the quick response of the percussion fuse; the effect on the target does not depend on the impact velocity.
The Panzerfaust 3 is light enough to be carried and fired by one person. However, earlier variants were described as being excessively cumbersome and uncomfortable. Furthermore, the firing mechanism was prone to jamming.[5] It can be fired from enclosed spaces since it does not have a significant backblast. The rear of the tube, filled with plastic granulate, minimizes the blast effect by the so-called recoilless countermass principle.
The booster propellant for the projectile in its tube is ignited by a bolt via a spring mechanism. Once ejected from the launcher, the projectile coasts a safe distance and then the rocket motor is ignited, boosting it to its maximum speed, after which it coasts until impact. The gunner carries at least two rounds, while the assistant grenadier carries another three rounds.
The ergonomic design of the controls, such as handles, launcher, barrel shape and optical sight, is a predefined standard. All controls are easy to handle in all shooting positions (lying, kneeling, or standing).[4] After the weapon is fired, the firing mechanism with the attached optical sight is removed and the barrel thrown away, the firing mechanism is reusable. The effective combat range of the Panzerfaust 3 is from 15 to 300 m (49 to 984 ft) against moving targets and up to 600 m (2,000 ft) against static ones. An optical sight with line pattern fixed to the reusable firing mechanism enables it to engage moving or static targets. To ensure night combat ability, a night-vision device or residual light amplifier can be set up in front of the optical sight.[4]
A JGSDF soldier in the 36th Infantry Regiment with the Panzerfaust 3, 2018
As a safety precaution, the built-in fuse for the warhead is released by a safety mechanism. This arms the warhead after a flight distance of approximately 5 m (16 ft). Once armed, the warhead detonates on impact or when the propellant is exhausted, thus safeguarding against future unexploded ordnance hazards.
Further development
A new sight called Dynarange is currently being procured as part of the German Infantryman of the Future project. Essentially, this is a computer controlled aiming sight with range finder. It is meant to cope with the fact that some soldiers have had difficulties with the regular sight, as its scope is quite complex to the untrained eye. It would increase the weapon's effective range to 600 m (2,000 ft) against moving and stationary targets. Dynarange is already in service with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the Dutch Army.[6]
Original system with 110 mm (4.3 in) HEAT grenade (nose probe for 700 mm (28 in) penetration).
Optical day sight limits range to 300 m (980 ft) moving, 400 m (1,300 ft) stationary.
Panzerfaust 3-T:
Upgrade with 3-T tandem HEAT grenade and original day sight.
It is effective against targets to 300 m (980 ft) moving, 400 m (1,300 ft) stationary.
Night sight is optional.
Panzerfaust 3-T600:
Upgrade adds the IS2000 computer laser day sight with range of out to 600 m (2,000 ft) for moving targets.
Advanced tripod mount with a SIRA sensor package uses acoustic detection and IR sensor triggering.
It uses the Simrad KN250 series II night sight.
Acquisition-to-firing time is 3–4 seconds
Panzerfaust 3-IT600:
Ability upgrade adds more recent 3-IT grenade which penetrates 900 mm (35 in) armor[8] (equals 750 mm (30 in) vs armor behind ERA).
Pzf-3-LR/RS, PzF-N version available.
Pzf-3-LR uses semi-active laser homing (SAL-H) system and requires a CO2 laser guidance unit and SAL-H grenade.
Range: 800 m (2,600 ft); armor penetration: 700 mm (28 in).
Pzf-N designed to compete for UK NLAW.
Panzerfaust 3LTW:
Light-weight launcher weighing less than 10 kg (22 lb)
Specifications
Different PzF3 models in service with the German Feldjäger (military police)
This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: A lot of stats do not belong in the launcher/sight module specifications, but in ammunition specifications. Specifically: warhead caliber, warhead and round weight, muzzle and final velocity, penetration ability. There should be separate parts for launcher and ammo specs. Please help improve this section if you can.(January 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
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