LRAC 89-F1 (Lance-Roquettes AntiChar de 89mm modele F1)

History

The LRAC 89-F1 was developed for the French Army to replace the aging M20A1 Super Bazooka rocket launcher. The M20A1 is an improved version of the American World War II-era M1 bazooka launcher, which entered production in 1952. The LRAC 89-F1 is constructed of plastic and fiberglass to reduce the carry weight of soldiers in charge of operating systems. A typical crew consists of two people, one handling the launch vehicle itself and the other responsible for the initial loading and subsequent reloading of the launch tube.

The name LRAC derives from the name "Lance-Roquettes AntiChar de 89mm modele F1", also known as STRIM 89mm (based on the abbreviation of the name Societe Techique de Recherches Industrielles et Mechanique).

In the mid-1960s, the Societe Techique de Recherches Industrielles et Mechanique was tasked with finding a suitable replacement for the phased-out M20A1 series, and in the early 1970s presented two viable candidates. The first is a recoilless rifle design known as the ACL-APX, with an 80mm projectile that is assisted in flight by rocket propulsion.

The second became the 89mm LRAC 89-F1. The more promising LRAC system with lower production costs prevailed, as assessed by the French Army, and was selected for procurement and mass production.

As the name suggests, the LRAC 89-F1 fires an 89mm rocket. The muzzle velocity is rated at 967 feet per second, the effective range is within 500 yards, and the maximum range is up to 2,300 yards. Aiming is achieved using the APX M290 telescopic sight, and a passive night telescopic sight is also available. The basic penetrating missile is stabilized (spring-loaded) during flight with a fin to penetrate 400mm at 0 degrees and 110mm at 65 degrees.

The head of the disassembled projectile has a generator, behind which is the cover and head, with a fuse in the middle. The projectile then consists mostly of propellant and ends up with a thruster. The launch tube contains an integrated aiming device, trigger mechanism and bipod. The rocket was not launched until the rear tube pod was attached to the launch vehicle.

The rocket's fuel is activated only after the rocket is launched. The missile is then armed about 32 feet from the launch point.

The basic LRAC transmitter design is essentially a thin tube. The tubes are larger in the rear and taper to a consistent front end. The main controls are located in the center of the barrel and include a pistol grip, a retractable foregrip and an adjustable, ergonomically curved stock with two feet (bipods).

The sighting system is mounted near the pistol grip (or ignition generator grip). A handle is added to the right side of the tube body. The rear of the tube is covered with a removable stopper and the front is covered with a removable muzzle cap.

A notch for the rear-view mirror was made at the commercial end of the muzzle.

In addition to the base rocket, LRAC ammunition includes an anti-personnel/anti-vehicle projectile (which fires up to 1,600 high-velocity shaped steel shot), a pair of smoke grenades (35-second release time in both liquids) )smokes). /Phosphorus headforms) and a flare, which burns in the air at 300,000 candela for up to 30 seconds before dropping to the ground via a small parachute.

The LRAC 89-F1 in service with the French Army has been replaced by the AT4-CS single-shot weapon (from Sweden) and the ERYX line-guided man-portable anti-tank weapon. However, the LRAC continued to serve with other militaries around the world, mainly in former French colonies stationed in Africa.

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