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APILAS

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APILAS
The APILAS on display at the 2014 Flag Day event, sponsored by the Finnish military.
TypeAnti-tank weapon
Place of originFrance
Service history
In service1985-present
Used bySee Operators
Wars
Production history
DesignerGIAT Industries
ManufacturerGIAT Industries
Unit cost€2,000
Produced1985-2006
No. built120,000
Specifications
Mass9 kg (19.84 lb)
Length1,300 mm (51.2 in)
Barrel length180 mm (7.1 in)
Caliber112 mm (4.4 in)
Muzzle velocity293 m/s (961 ft/s)
Effective firing range25–350 m
Maximum firing range500 m
APILAS antitank rocket projectile
APILAS launcher
External images
APILAS - 1983 1st Version
image icon APILAS and soldier 1[3]
image icon APILAS and soldier 2
image icon APILAS and soldier 3
image icon APILAS and soldier 4
image icon APILAS launcher and rocket
image icon APILAS rocket projectile

The RAC 112 APILAS (Armour-Piercing Infantry Light Arm System) is a portable one-shot 112 mm recoilless anti-tank weapon, designed in France by GIAT Industries. Over 120,000 of the APILAS launchers have been produced, and they are in service with many countries.

Description

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The APILAS is supplied in an aramid fibre launcher tube with a retractable sight. The effective range of APILAS is from 25 m (it takes 25 m for the rocket to arm itself) up to 300-500 m depending on the target. The shaped charge warhead is electrically fused and will detonate at impact angles up to 80 degrees.[4]

Although heavy, the APILAS is able to pierce 700 mm of RHA.[2] Within the French Army it is categorized as "traumatic weapon", because of its blast and noise. A French soldier cannot fire it more than three times in his service during peacetime.[5]

An off-route mine system was developed using the APILAS rocket mounted on a tripod using a sensor package, or tripwires.

Production

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84,000 were ordered in 1984 by the French Army to replace the LRAC F1 until the adoption of the Eryx short-range missile.[5] The French company Matra Manurhin Défense (now NEXTER - ex GIAT) produced 120,000 APILAS between 1985 and 2006.[6]

Specifications

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  • Calibre: 112 mm
  • Length
    • Launcher:
      • Transportation: 1290 mm
      • Fire-ready: 1260 mm
    • Projectile: 920 mm
  • Weight:
    • Overall: 9.0 kg
    • Projectile: 4.3 kg
    • Launcher: 4.7 kg
  • Range: 25 m to 300 m + (moving target) 500 m + (static target)
  • Engine: Solid-fuel rocket
  • Muzzle velocity: 293 m/s
  • Time of flight to 500 m: 1.9 s
  • Warhead: 1.5 kg shaped charge capable of penetrating more than 750 mm RHAe or 2 m of concrete
  • Trigger: Piezoelectric sensor with 50g black powder

Operators

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Map with APILAS operators in blue

See also

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  • LRAC F1 – (France)
  • Eryx – (France)
  • LAW 80 – (United Kingdom)
  • AT4 – (Sweden)
  • C-100 – (Spain)
  • Kestrel – (Taiwan)

References

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  1. ^ Rottman, Gordon L. (1993). Armies of the Gulf War. Elite 45. Osprey Publishing. pp. 58-59. ISBN 9781855322776.
  2. ^ a b c Jenzen-Jones, N.R. (8 September 2015). "French APILAS anti-tank weapon in Syria". armamentresearch.com.
  3. ^ the first versions did not have the gunner's face mask, but was added later due to unburn propellant after the projectile left the tube
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Gander, Terry J. (2001). "Giat Industries APILAS light anti-tank weapon". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002–2003. pp. 1790–1791.
  5. ^ a b "ROQUETTE ANTICHAR DE 112 mm appelée également " RAC 112 APILAS "". musee-infanterie.com (in French). Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "Nous sommes fiers de – Lance-roquette anti-char APILAS" [We are proud of – APILAS anti-tank rocket launcher]. manurhin-group.com (in French).[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Darcourt, Pierre (January 1984). "Tchad: le désert des Tartares". La Gazette des armes (in French). No. 125. pp. 16–19.
  8. ^ a b c The Military Balance 2009. Routledge. January 26, 2009. pp. 173, 264, 293. ISBN 9780415498463.
  9. ^ "Establishment of the 1 Reconnaissance Commando".
  10. ^ Janovsky, Jakub; naalsio26; Aloha; Dan; Kemal. "Joining NATO, Joining The Cause: Finnish Aid To Ukraine". Oryx. Retrieved 29 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

Sources

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  • Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005–2006
  • Jane's Mines and Mine Clearance 2005–2006
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