M20 Super Bazooka
Overview
M20A1 Super Bazooka
M20A1 Super Bazooka in civilian ownership seen strapped to the side of a M3 halftrack.
Source: Victor den Bak -
© CC BY-SA 4.0
Brazil - Hydroar
Spain - Instalaza
Description
Introduction
The M20 Super Bazooka is an early Cold War era rocket launcher of United States origin. It is a larger and more capable version of the original Bazooka. As such the nickname became Super Bazooka.
Design
The M20 consists of a two-piece smoothbore launch tube that is fitted with a mechanical sight unit, vertical grip, shoulder support and monopod. The single piece 89mm rockets are loaded from the rear. The M20 is electrically fired by pulling the trigger placed at the vertical grip. The crew of two consists of an operator and a loader.
Firepower
The 89mm HEAT warheads can penetrate up to 280mm of homogenous steel armor. Later rockets have been developed with greater performance. The maximum effective range is 150 meters. A rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute can be achieved.
Users
The primary user of the M20 was the USA. Many nations with ties to the USA acquired this M20, or received it as military aid. Over time it was adopted by most allies of the USA. The M20 remains in very limited service as a second line weapon.
Variants
M20A1 Super Bazooka
Right side view of M20A1 Super Bazooka.
Source: www.world.guns.ru -
© Copyright lies with original owner
Launcher models
The M20 is the original version introduced in 1950. This was replaced in production by the M20B1 in 1952.
The M20B1 uses a cast aluminum barrel and is simplified in various areas to make it lighter. It can be easily identified by lacking the centrally mounted monopod that is present on the M20.
Both versions were produced with an improved connector latch and were designated M20A1 and M20A1B1 respectively.
Details
Media
M20A1B1 Super Bazooka
M20A1B1 Super Bazooka in civilian ownership seen strapped to the side of a M8 Greyhound armored car.
Source: Victor den Bak
Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0
M20B1 Super Bazooka
M20B1 Super Bazooka seen disassembled with M28 series HEAT rocket in the middle.
Source: www.suite101.com
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
M9 Bazooka
The M20 was developed as a more capable successor to the World War 2 era M9 Bazooka.