Infantry weapons / Rocket launchers / MATADOR

MATADOR

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Rocket launcher

  • ORIGIN
    Germany

  • NICKNAMES
    RGW 90
    Panzerfaust 90 / Pzf 90

  • DESIGNED
    1999

  • DESIGNER
    Dynamit Nobel (plus Defence Science & Technology Agency and Rafael)

  • PRODUCTION
    2000 - present

  • PRODUCERS
    Germany - Dynamit Nobel
    Israel - Rafael
    Singapore - ST Kinetics

  • QUANTITY
    Unknown

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Good range and accuracy
    Powerful multi mode warhead
    Limited size and weight
    Can be fired from confined spaces
    High unit cost

Introduction

The MATADOR is a rocket launcher of German origin. It was developed in the late 1990's by Dynamit Nobel at the request of the Singapore Armed Forces, in order to replace the Armbrust in Singaporean service. The original MATADOR was developed in conjunction with the Singapore Defence Science & Technology Agency. The later specialized versions were developed together with the Israeli company Rafael in the early 2000's. The name MATADOR stands for Man-portable Anti-Tank, Anti-DOoR. Dynamit Nobel markets it as the RGW 90 or Panzerfaust 90.

Design

The MATADOR follows the design principle of the earlier Armbrust, but is a larger and much more capable design. The MATADOR is a single shot disposable rocket launcher that uses the Davis countermass principle. As such it can be launched from confined spaces and has a low firing signature. It is fitted with a multipurpose warhead that functions in HEAT mode when the nose probe is manually extended and in HESH mode when unaltered. The glass fiber launch tube features two grips, a shoulder support and a basic optical sight. All of which are folded to protect the sight and trigger and for compactness. It is possible to mount a detachable frame for a higher quality sight or night vision sight.

Firepower

The original MATADOR, also known as RGW 90, fires a multi mode warhead with both a HEAT and a HESH mode. The effective range is 20 to 500 meters and accuracy is good due to the high velocity. The HEAT mode is used against armored targets and will pierce 500mm RHA. In HESH mode it penetrates a concrete and creates a 45 cm hole. The special warheads have been developed besides the standard one. These include multi purpose, anti structures munition and wall breaching.

Users

The first and main user of the MATADOR are the Singapore Armed Forces. The RGW 90 models have been sold to a few European nations and the wall breaching model has been used by Israeli forces in combat situations.

Variants

MATADOR

The MATADOR is the original version developed for Singapore and is also known as the RGW 90. The MATADOR features a multi mode warhead that serves in the HEAT mode against armored vehicles and in the HESH mode against buildings and bunkers. The weapon normally functions in HESH model until the nose probe is manually extended in order to select the HEAT mode. Dynamit Nobel and Rafael have developed three other warhead options under the RGW 90 (or PZF-90) designation.

TypeRocket launcher
Crew1
Caliber90 mm
Length1.00 m standard, 1.15 m HEAT mode
Width?
Height?
Weight8.9 kg with basic sight
SightsBasic optical sight, optional other sights
AmmunitionHEAT and HESH multi purpose warhead
GuidanceNone, free flight
Velocity?
Range20 to 500 m
Penetration500mm RHA
RemarksDisposable launcher

RGW 90 MP

The RGW 90 MP is a model with a multi purpose warhead for use against fortified positions, normal structures and light vehicles at ranges between 20 and 500 meters. The name MP stands for multi purpose. The name PZF-90 MP is sometimes used as well. In its penetrating model it can be used against bunkers and concrete walls. The HESH mode is similar to the original MATADOR and allows it to be used against conventional structures and light armored vehicles. The RGW 90 MP is marketed with a reflex sight with its reticle adjusted by a laser range finder for greater effectiveness at longer ranges.

TypeRocket launcher
Crew1
Caliber90 mm
Length1.0 m
Width?
Height?
Weight11.3 kg with reflex sight and LRF
SightsBasic optical sight, optional reflex sight with laser range finder
AmmunitionHESH and penetrating multi purpose warhead
GuidanceNone, free flight
Velocity?
Range14 to 500 m
PenetrationReinforced concrete
RemarksDisposable launcher

RGW 90 AS

The RGW 90 AS or Anti-Structures Munition (ASM) is a derivative of the MATADOR developed for military operations in urban terrain. The RGW 90 AS has a tandem warhead with selectable fuzing options. The forward warhead is used to create a small hole in the wall for the second warhead to enter the building and explode inside. The fuze options allow for a detonation within the wall to creata a 80 cm hole or a detonation inside. Due to the heavier warhead the range has decreased from 500 to 400 meters. The name PZF-90 AS is sometimes used for the RGW 90 AS as well.

TypeRocket launcher
Crew1
Caliber90 mm
Length1.0 m
Width?
Height?
Weight10 kg with basic sight
SightsBasic optical sight, optional other sights
AmmunitionTandem warhead
GuidanceNone, free flight
Velocity?
Range10 to 400 m
PenetrationThree layer brick wall
RemarksDisposable launcher

RGW 90 WB

The RGW 90 WB is a further development of the MATADOR and features a wall breaching warhead developed by Rafael. The explosive formed ring warhead will pierce a tripple brick wall and create man size hole at ranges between 20 and 120 meters. The RGW 90 WB launch tube is shorter since less propellant is needed at the shorter ranges it is to be used. The RGW 90 WB is marketed with standard sights and a reflex sight. The name PZF-90 WB is sometimes used as well.

TypeRocket launcher
Crew1
Caliber90 mm with oversized warhead
Length1.0 m
Width?
Height?
Weight13 kg with reflex sight
SightsBasic optical sight, optional reflex sight
AmmunitionExplosive formed ring warhead
GuidanceNone, free flight
Velocity?
Range20 to 120 m
PenetrationThree layer brick wall
RemarksDisposable launcher

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