MATADOR (weapon)
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| MATADOR (Man-portable Anti-Tank Anti-DOoR) | |
|---|---|
 The MATADOR (Man-portable Anti-Tank Anti-DOoR) Short Range Anti-Armour Weapon |
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| Type | Anti-armor |
| Place of origin |  Singapore |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Singapore Armed Forces, Defence Science & Technology Agency |
| Designed | 1999 |
| Manufacturer | Dynamit Nobel Defence |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 8.9 kg |
| Length | 1 m |
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| Caliber | 90 mm |
| Muzzle velocity | 250 m/s |
| Effective range | 500 m |
| Feed system | Disposable |
| Sights | Integral optical sights Night Vision Device on a Picatinny rail |
MATADOR (Man-portable Anti-Tank, Anti-DOoR) is a 90 mm man-portable, disposable anti-armor weapon system developed by Singapore. It is an updated version of the German Armbrust design, and operates on the same principles. The development of this weapon began in 2000 and the MATADOR will eventually replace the German-Singaporean Armbrust Light Anti-tank Weapon which has been in service since the 1980s.[1]
The MATADOR was developed jointly by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA), in collaboration with Dynamit Nobel Defence (DND).[1]
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[edit] Capabilities
The MATADOR is among the lightest in its class. The warhead is effective against both vehicle armour and brick walls. The weapon has little backblast, making it safe for operation in confined spaces.[1]
The MATADOR is supposed to be capable of defeating the armour of most known armoured personnel carriers and light tanks in the world. The dual-capability warhead, when acting in the delay mode, creates an opening greater than 450 mm in diameter in a double brickwall, and acting as an anti-personnel weapon against those behind the wall, offering an unconventional means of entry when fighting in built-up areas.[1]
The MATADOR's projectile is claimed to be insensitive to wind due to its propulsion system which results in a highly accurate weapon system.[1]
[edit] Warhead
The warhead can be used in both High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) and High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) modes against armor and walls or other fortifications respectively.[1] Selection is done by extending a "probe" (most likely a fuse extender) for HEAT mode and leaving the "probe" retracted for HESH mode.
[edit] Countermass system
Similar to the Armbrust, the countermass counteracts the recoil of the weapon upon firing. The countermass consists of shredded plastic which is projected out of the rear of the weapon when it is fired. This plastic is rapidly slowed by air resistance allowing the weapon to be fired safely within an enclosed space. In addition, the positioning of the countermass takes into consideration the centre of gravity of the weapon to ensure good balance for greater accuracy[2].
[edit] Gallery
 Comparing the ARMBRUST (top) and MATADOR (bottom) |
[edit] Users
- : Singapore Army (Primary user)
: Israel Defense Forces
: Military of Slovenia
: British Army has ordered the new Anti-Structures Munition (ASM) version of the MATADOR from Dynamit Nobel Defence[3].
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f Ministry of Defence, Singapore (2004-09-04). "Factsheet - MATADOR: Unguided Short Range Anti-Armour Weapon (SRAAW)". Press release.
- ^ DSTA Press Release. SAFRA RADIO.
- ^ Dynamit Nobel selected in February 2006 to develop, supply and support the ASM. Armada International, Dated: 1 Aug 2007.
[edit] External links
- Official site
- Israeli Weapons
- Video clip of MATADOR in Singapore Army at YouTube
- Video clip of MATADOR in Israeli Defense Force at YouTube
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