PF-97 Chinese Thermobaric Rocket Launcher
PF-97
Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile / Long-Range Artillery Rocket
Other
Basic Information
Name
PF-97 Chinese Thermobaric Rocket Launcher
Designation
PF-97
Alternate Designation
PF-97
Equipment Type
Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile / Long-Range Artillery Rocket
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Date of Introduction
1997
Description
The PF-97 Chinese Thermobaric Rocket Launcher is a recoilless, shoulder-launched weapon intended to fire a 93 mm air-fuel explosive projectile. The PF97 is a Chinese copy of the Russian-designed RPO-A 'Shmel' (Bumblebee) (see separate entry).
Variants
PF-97A
The PF-97A is an improved variant, replacing the separate launch motor by a fixed rocket motor.
System
Alternate Designation
PF-97
Type
Thermobaric Rocket Launcher
Caliber
93 mm
Manufacturer
NORINCO
Launcher
The glass fibre-reinforced plastic tube houses the projectile and the launch motor. The tube has covers at both ends, which are ejected on firing. It is fired from over the shoulder using a folding pistol grip and trigger assembly together with a forward grip under the muzzle. The launcher can be fired from within structures, having a volume of more than 60 m3. Once fired the launcher tube is discarded. A set of lugs is present at the front and rear of the tubes on the right-hand side. These are used to pin two launch tubes together and be carried as a backpack using the slings of each tube.
Firing mechanism
The firing mechanism is mounted on the left-hand side of the launch tube and consists of three main assemblies: The trigger mechanism at the front, the percussion cap housing at the rear, and the striker tube, connecting both assemblies. The front assembly consists of the trigger housing, trigger and trigger sear, striker rod head, main spring, pistol grip spring, and the safety. The striker tube houses the main body of the striker rod. The rear assembly houses the percussion cap. The safety consists of a metal shroud, which when in the safe position, sits over the trigger, preventing its use. To disengage the safety, the index finger is used to rotate it 90° counter-clockwise, leaving the trigger exposed inside the trigger guard.
Muzzle Velocity
125 m/s
Sighting Range
600 m
Effective Fire Range
200 m
Sighting System
The launch tube is fitted with a simple optical sight. The graticule on the sight features hold-over points for different ranges and a stadia metric rangefinder.
Dimensions
Length
920 mm
Caliber
93 mm
Weight
12 kg
Ammunition
Type
Rocket
Caliber
93 mm
Note
The projectile, known as a capsule, has a thin‐walled aluminum body containing 2.1 kg of fuel‐air explosive, a central tube running through the explosive, and a tail section. The central tube contains the fuze and the initiating charge. On detonation the fuel mixture surrounding the central tube is reduced to a powder and dispersed, this mixes with oxygen in the air, and when ignited the explosion produces a high‐pressure region and blast wave. In addition, the local temperature is raised to as much as 800°C, and a high portion of the atmospheric oxygen in the blast area is consumed. Initial velocity of the spring‐out fin‐stabilized 93 mm projectile is 125 m/s (±5 m/s). The overall length of the hemispherical‐nosed capsule is estimated to be around 700 mm. The effect of the PF97 capsule is such that, when detonated inside a structure, its lethal and destructive properties will affect an area of 80 m2, similar to an equivalent 122 mm artillery HE projectile. When utilized against personnel in the open, the lethal area will cover 50 m2.
Image Sources
Details
Country of Origin
China
Category
Rocket Launchers
Land > Infantry Weapons > Rocket Launchers
Filter Label
P
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
0.92 m
Width
—
Height
—
Weight
12 kg
Operators (1)
China
Something went wrong. Please reload the page.
Reload