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| M79 Osa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Anti-tankrocket launcher |
| Place of origin | Yugoslavia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | SeeOperators |
| Wars | Yugoslav Wars Syrian Civil War[1][2] Yemeni Civil War[3][4] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Military Technical Institute |
| Designed | 1979 |
| Manufacturer | Sloboda |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 11.2 kg (loaded) 6.2 kg (launcher) 3.5 kg (rocket) |
| Length | 1.91 m (launcher loaded) 0.67 m (rocket) |
| Crew | 2 |
| Caliber | 90 mm |
| Rate of fire | 6 rounds per minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 250 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 350 m (AFVs) 600 m (Buildings) |
| Maximum firing range | 1,960 m |
| Sights | CN-6 (3.5× optical sight) or flip up iron sights |
| Blast yield | 400 mmRHA |
TheM79 Osa (fromSerbian:оса,lit. 'wasp') is a Yugoslav-made portable 90 mmanti-tank weapon made of fibre-reinforced plastics. It resembles the French portable anti-tank launcher 89 mmLRAC F1. It consists of the launcher, a CN-6 sighting piece,rocket and carrying case for the rocket. The M79 shoots unguided projectiles in direct sight and is effective against armoured fighting vehicles and fortifications.
The M79 Osa is operated by a two-man team, an operator and a loader. The loader inserts the rocket container through the rear of the launcher. The operator then takes aim at the target through the CN-6 sight. The CN-6 sight has 3.5x magnification and a 10 degree field of view. It also features anti-laser filters to protect the operator from blinding battlefield lasers. When the trigger is pressed, the rocket motor is fired electronically. The rocket leaves the launcher at a speed of approximately 250 meters per second. It is accurate enough to be used against armoured vehicles at a range of 350 meters, and can engage larger stationary targets up to 600 meters away.[5]
On impact apiezoelectric impact fuse in the rocket triggers theshaped charge warhead, which can penetrate up to 400 millimeters of armour. The fuse is sensitive enough to trigger the warhead at impact angles up to 70 degrees from the vertical. After firing, the spent rocket container is removed from the launcher, and a fresh tube is attached.[6]
The M79 Osa was designed and manufactured bySloboda in the former Yugoslavia. It has continued production in Serbia,North Macedonia, and in Croatia (as theRL90 M95).
A large number of M79 OSA rocket launchers were supplied torebels in Syria which proved effective in deterring the Syrian Army's armor. Many mistook the M79 supplied to the rebels in Syria for the RussianRPG-29 rocket launcher, which also saw use.[7] M79 Osas were also used in Iraq byIslamic State against Iraqi army andJANES reported their use against US-madeM1A1 Abrams tanks.[8]
In September 2014, theHouthi movement seizedSanaa, the capital city of Yemen, and in March 2015 the Saudi coalition launched an all out war on them all over Yemen. A large stockpile of M79 Osa rocket launchers and rockets were found in Yemeni military weapons depots. All sides of the conflict have used the M79 since 2015.[citation needed]
