55 S 55

Infobox Weapon
name= 55 S 55


caption=
origin= Finland
type= anti-tank weapon
is_ranged=yes
is_bladed=
is_explosive=yes
is_artillery=
is_vehicle=
is_UK=
service=
used_by=Finland
wars= none
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=
production_date=
number=
variants=
weight=6 kg
length=940 mm
part_length=
width=55 mm (tube)
height=
crew=1
cartridge=
caliber=88 mm (grenade)
action=Single shot
rate=N/A
velocity=160 m/s
range=300 m
max_range=300 m
penetration=N/A, but probably around 300 mm
feed=N/A
sights=4x
diameter=
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=

55 S 55 (also called Raikka) was a Finnish recoilless anti-tank weapon from the mid 1950s.

History

During the later stages of World War II, Finland received large shipments of German Panzerfausts (F1 and F2) and Panzerschreck. These weapons were used for a long time after the war, but soon the Finnish Army realized that it needed a replacement with better penetrarion capabilities and range in particular.

Dr. Ilmari Liikkanen, who worked for the company Raikka Oy, is usually considered to be the person behind the construction of the 55 S 55 (55 mm, RCL m/55). Not much is known about the development process, but it is believed that the Soviet RPG-2 was a big influence, since the principle is similar. However, the principle differs from the later RPG-7 because the shots of the 55 S 55 weren't rocket-propelled.

Liikkanen continued during the late 1950s and early 1960s to study recoilless anti-tank shots with counterweights (a further development of the same principle as used in the World War I DAVIS gun). This principle was later incorporated in the German Armbrust. Liikkanen concentrated on raw penetration capabilities, which could be reached without HEAT projectiles. The goal was to make the weapon "idiot-proof" to use, as well as cheap and simple to manufacture. Weaponn systems like the 55 S 55 has also several disadvantages. A projectile, which was caleld "Raikka" had a muzzle velocity of some 160 m/s. The kinetic energy penetrator round worked in the same manner as modern sabot rounds. At tests, the projectile penetrated straight through the tower of a T-34 tank. Not much has been written about the "Raikka", although it was mentioned in Jane's. It was also possible to fire 81 mm mortar rounds with the weapon.

The Finnish Army started using the 55 S 55 in 1955 but it has been replaced today by more modern recoilless weapons like the M72 LAW and Apilas.