C90-CR (M3)
C90-CR | |
---|---|
![]() C-90 | |
Type | anti-tank weapon rocket-propelled grenade |
Place of origin | Spain |
Service history | |
In service | 1990–present |
Used by | see Users |
Wars | Yemeni Civil War[1] 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
Production history | |
Designer | Instalaza |
Manufacturer | Instalaza |
Unit cost | €2,099 (2022)[2] |
Specifications | |
Mass | 5.3 kilograms (12 lb) |
Length | 940 millimetres (37 in)[3] |
Cartridge | Tandem HE[4] |
Caliber | 90 millimetres (3.5 in) |
Muzzle velocity | 160 m/sec[5] |
Effective firing range | 350 metres (1,150 ft) (point target)[6] |
Maximum firing range | 700 metres (2,300 ft) (area target)[6] |
Sights | fixed 2× optical sight standard |
The Instalaza C90 is a 90 millimetres (3.5 inches) disposable, shoulder-fired and one-man operated rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, which can be fitted with a VN38-C night vision device for full night combat capability.[7] It is being used as an infantry-type weapon, with Instalaza also claiming it to be the, "lightest infantry weapons system in its class".[6][8]
Variants
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Una_escopeta%2C_una_pistola_y_un_lanzacohetes_anticarro_Instalaza_C-90_de_la_Infanter%C3%ADa_de_Marina_espa%C3%B1ola_%2834972210051%29.jpg/220px-Una_escopeta%2C_una_pistola_y_un_lanzacohetes_anticarro_Instalaza_C-90_de_la_Infanter%C3%ADa_de_Marina_espa%C3%B1ola_%2834972210051%29.jpg)
The following are variants produced by Instalaza:[7]
- C90-CR (M3) – equipped with hollow-charge warhead of different types, has armour penetration of 400 millimetres (16 inches).[4]
- C90-CR-RB (M3.5) and the C-90-CR-RB (M3) – equipped with hollow-charge warhead, has armour penetration of 500 millimetres (20 inches).
- C90-CR-AM (M3.5) – also has a shaped head charge, but with a special body that provides anti-personnel fragmentation
- C90-CR-FIM (M3.5) – contains more than 1.3 kilograms (2.9 pounds) of red phosphorus composition, producing incendiary effects and smoke
- C90-CR-BK (M3.5) – has a tandem warhead precursor for anti-bunker / building fortifications; the warhead pierces the walls and goes through the wall before it explodes inside the interior.
- C-90-CR-IN (M3) – is a training model with inert warhead.
Operational history
[edit]2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
[edit]After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Spanish government, like other Western governments, sent Ukraine shipments of weapons, equipment, ammunition, and vehicles, including numerous C90 grenade launchers.[9][10] There are images of at least one Russian infantry fighting vehicle being destroyed by a C-90 near Dronivka.[11][12]
Users
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/C90-CR_%28M3%29_Users.png/220px-C90-CR_%28M3%29_Users.png)
- Indonesian Army − in use with the infantry units and Special Forces; versions C-90CR antiarmor, C-90-CR-RB (M3), C-90AM antipersonnel and C-90BK bunker buster
- Indian Army − C-90-CR-RB (M3) only
- Italian Army − in use with Special Forces; versions C-90CR antiarmor, C-90AM antipersonnel and C-90BK bunker buster
- Malaysian Army − in service since 1990s; 780 additional units ordered in 2024[15]
- Territorial Defence Forces − 1,370 rockets
- Yemeni Armed Forces − Supplied by Saudi Arabia to Pro-Hadi forces[17]
- Houthis − At least 16 were captured from Saudi or Pro-Hadi forces[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "Research Report No. 6: Spanish C90-CR rocket launchers & Alhambra hand grenades in Yemen". Armament Research Services (ARES). 30 August 2016.
- ^ Salvador, Antonio (3 March 2022). "Así son los lanzagranadas 'made in Zaragoza' que España enviará a la resistencia ucraniana". El Independiente (in Spanish). Madrid, Spain. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ the first C90-C and C90-C-AM were 840 millimetres (33 in) in length; the C90-CR versions increased to 940 millimetres (37 in) for the larger rocket motor; and the C90-CR(M3) increased the length to 983 millimetres (38.7 in); i.e. showing the increase length with addition of shock-bumpers on the front and rear of the launcher
- ^ a b c "OPFOR Worldwide Equipment Guide" (PDF). FAS.org. September 2001. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ "Instalaza C90". MilitaryFactory.com. Military Factory. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "C90-CR (M3), the lightest infantry weapon system in its class". Instalaza. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
- ^ a b "C-90-CR (M3)". usuarios.multimania.es (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 9 January 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ "La Empresa". Instalaza.es (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 19 September 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
- ^ "Los lanzagranadas C-90 enviados por España ya están en manos de los soldados ucranianos". Elmundo.es (in Spanish). El Mundo. 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Los lanzagranadas C-90 enviados por Pedro Sánchez ya están en manos del Ejército ucraniano". ElEspanol.com (in Spanish). El Español. 7 March 2022.
- ^ "El lanzagranadas español C90 en Ucrania: 1.400 unidades, tres meses destruyendo tanques". EPE.es (in Spanish). El Periódico de España. 2 June 2022.
- ^ "BMP ruso destruido por un lanzagranadas Instalaza c90 español en Dronivka por fuerzas especiales ucranianas". elperiodico.com (in Spanish). El Periódico. 1 June 2022.
- ^ "Estonian Ministry of Defence". MoD.gov.ee. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "Saqartvelos tavdacvis Ministri espanuri tanksawinaagmdego sistemebis sachvenebel swavlebas daeswro". MoD.gov.ge (in Georgian).
- ^ "Spanish LAW RFB". MalaysianDefence.com.
- ^ MEGA REPORTAGEM FORÇA AÉREA PORTUGUESA. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b c Williams, Ian; Shaikh, Shaan (2020). "Appendix: The Houthi Missile Arsenal". The Missile War in Yemen. Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): 34–52. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "Spain to send grenade launchers and machine guns to Ukraine, minister says". Reuters. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)