AT-4
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Light anti-armor weapon
Date
deployed: unavailable
Contractor:
FFV Ordnance, Sweden and Alliant Techsystems
Unit cost:
$1,480
Length:
3' - 4"
Wingspan:
unavailable
Diameter:
84mm
Speed:
over 250m per second
Weight:
14.75 lbs.
Guidance:
visual range indicator, graduated in 50-meter
increments
Range:
approx. 984 ft. (300m) (effective)
Engine:
Solid fuel
rocket
Warhead:
High Explosive Shaped Charge |
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Features:
The AT-4 anti-tank weapon is a lightweight,
expendable, self-contained rocket launcher that
fires a single free-flight, fin-stabilized rocket.
It consists of an 84mm (3.36 inch) cone-shaped
warhead designed to penetrate armor plate. Both the
warhead and its rocket motor are housed in an
expendable reinforced fiberglass launch tube. It is
fired by an individual soldier from the shoulder
position. It is designed to allow individual gunners
to destroy such targets as enemy tanks and armored
vehicles.
The M136 AT4 is
man-portable and is fired from the right shoulder
only. The launcher is watertight for ease of
transportation and storage. Though the M136 AT4 can
be employed in limited visibility, the firer must be
able to see and identify the target and estimate the
range to it. Unlike the M72-series LAW, the M136 AT4
launcher need not be extended before firing.
The AT-4 is
designed to withstand arctic, tropic, and desert
conditions or any combination of natural
environments.
The M136 AT4 is
a round of ammunition with an integral, rocket-type
cartridge. The cartridge consists of a fin assembly
with tracer element; a point-initiating,
base-detonating, piezoelectric fuze; a warhead body
with liner; and a precision-shaped explosive charge.
The M136 AT4's
warhead has excellent penetration ability and lethal
after-armor effects. The extremely destructive, 440
gram shaped-charge explosive penetrates more than 14
inches (35.6 cm) of armor.
- Impact. The
nose cone crushes; the impact sensor activates
the fuze.
- Ignition. The
piezoelectric fuze element activates the
electric detonator. The booster detonates,
initiating the main charge.
- Penetration.
The main charge fires and forces the warhead
body liner into a directional gas jet that
penetrates armor plate.
- After-armor
effects (spalling). The projectile fragments and
incendiary effects produce blinding light and
destroy the interior of the target.
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