Model 1968 Recoilless Gun

Modelo 1968
Type	Recoilless antitank weapon
Place of origin	Argentina
Service history
Used by	Argentina
Wars	Falklands War
Production history
Designed	1960's
Manufacturer	Rio Tercero Military Factory
Produced	1968
Specifications
Weight	397 kg (880 lb)
Length	4.20 m (13.8 ft)
Barrel length	3.00 m (9.84 ft)
Height	1.07 m (3.5 ft) (Model 1974)
Crew	4
Shell	HEAT, HE
Elevation	-7 to +40º[1]
Traverse	360º
Rate of fire	3 - 5 rpm
Muzzle velocity	400 m/s
Maximum range	9,200 m (5.7 mi)
Sights	4x optical stadiametric rangefinder

The Model 1968 Recoilless Gun is a 105-mm antitank weapon developed and employed by Argentina. The weapon has been in active service since 1968 and 150 were still operational with Argentine forces in 2000.^[2] A similar weapon is the Argentine 105-mm Model 1974 FMK-1 recoilless gun.

Description

The Model 1968 is mounted on a towing carriage with wheels for transport and can be fired either with its wheels on or dismounted onto a tripod. Aiming is primarily done with the optical sight, but the weapon also includes a FAP (Fusil Automatico Pesado, heavy automatic rifle) spotting rifle.^[3] Ammunition for the Model 1968 includes both an 11-kilogram high-explosive and a 15-kilogram HEAT round. The Model 1974 fires a 16.6-kilogram HE round with a muzzle velocity of 400 meters/second and a 14.7-kilogram HEAT round at 514 meters/second.

The maximum range of the piece is 9,200 meters. Direct fire is limited to 1,800 meters using the optical sight with stadiametric rangefinder or 1,200 meters using the spotting rifle. The Model 1974's range characteristics are the same. The Model 1968 is credited with a 200mm penetration of armor with its HEAT round.^[4] The HEAT round for the Model 1974 can penetrate 400 mm of armor.^[5]

Like many recoilless weapons, there is a significant back-blast from the Model 1968 with a danger zone of 40 meters designated to the rear of the weapon.

Use

The Model 1968 recoilless gun was employed in combat by the Argentine Army during the Falklands War. The Model 1974 is in service with Argentina and Guatemala.

References

Notes

1. ^ ATW, p. 13
2. ^ JWA, p. 25
3. ^ JIW, p. 689.
4. ^ For the caliber of the weapon and the era it was designed in, this estimate is probably less than the true performance of the weapon. Comparable weapons of the same era and caliber could penetrate 30 to 40cm of armor.
5. ^ JIW 2008.

Bibliography

• (JIW) Hogg, Ian. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984-85, London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1984.
• (JIW 2008) Jones, Richard, and Ness, Leland. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2007-2008, Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group Ltd., 2007.
• (JWA) Keymer, Eleanor. Jane's World Armies Issue Twenty-three, Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group Ltd., 2000.
• (ATW) Norris, John. Anti-tank Weapons, London: Brassey's, 1996.

External links

• Photo of the Model 1968 in the Falklands