Raketenjagdpanzer 1
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| Raketenjagdpanzer 1 | |
|---|---|
| General characteristics | |
| Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) |
| Length | 5.56 m |
| Width | 2.25 m |
| Height | 1.70 m |
| Weight | 13,000 kg (28,665 lb) |
| Armour and armament | |
| Armour | Steel 30 mm |
| Main armament | 2 x SS.11 missile launchers, 10 missiles |
| Secondary armament | ? |
| Mobility | |
| Power plant | 1 x Rolls Royce B81 Mk 80F, 8 cylinder petrol engine 235 hp (175 kW) |
| Suspension | Bogie |
| Road speed | 51 km/h |
| Power/weight | |
| Range | 270 km (170 miles) |
The Raketenjagdpanzer 1 was the first such vehicle in service with the Federal (West) German Armed Forces and began service with them in 1961. Built on the chassis of the Hispano-Suiza HS-30 which was also used on the Schützenpanzer SPz 12-3 APC, then armed with twin French SS.11 ATGW rocket launchers, which may confuse some people as only one is evident in pictures of the vehicle (the other is retracted into the hull to be reloaded while the other is ready to fire).
[edit] Armament
The twin mounted launchers for the SS.11 anti-tank guided weapons were the primary armament for the Raketenjagdpanzer 1. With ten missiles per vehicle that gave the crew the theoretical ability to engage and destroy a total of ten enemy vehicles, although this was very doubtful. The weapon was wire-guided and the crew continued to control the rocket via a small periscope after launch.
[edit] Powerplant
The Rolls Royce B81 Mk 80F engine was chosen to power the Raketenjagdpanzer 1, which could develop 235 hp @ 3,800 rpm. The engine was capable of pushing the vehicle to speeds of 51 km/h, and was able to ford 0.70 metres of water, climb 60° gradients and clear vertical obstacles of 0.60 metres in height or cross trenches 1.60 metres wide.
