The M60 recoilless gun is an 82-mm antitank recoilless gun developed in the former Yugoslavia. It entered service with the Yugoslav People's Army during the 1960s.

M60
82-mm M60 recoilless gun
TypeRecoilless rifle
Place of originYugoslavia
Service history
Used bySee Users
WarsYugoslav Wars
Syrian Civil War
Production history
Designed1960s
Specifications
Mass122 kg (269 lb)
Length2.20 m (7.2 ft)
Height0.83 m (2.7 ft)
Crew5

ShellHEAT
Elevation-20 to +35°[1]
Traverse360°
Rate of fire4 rpm
Muzzle velocity388 m/s (1,270 ft/s)
Effective firing range500 m (1,600 ft)
Maximum firing range4,500 m (2.8 mi)
SightsOptical

Description

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The M60 is mounted on a towing carriage with wheels for transport and firing. Aiming is done with an optical sight. The recoilless rifle resembles that of American counterparts. Ammunition for the M60 includes two fin-stabilized high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds. The first HEAT projectile for the M60 had an effective range of 500 meters. The second was an improved version that used a rocket booster to increase the effective range to 1,000 meters.[2]

The maximum range of the piece is 4,700 meters. Direct fire is limited to 1,500 meters against stationary targets and 1,000 meters against moving targets. The M60 is credited with a 220mm penetration of armor with its HEAT round.[3]

 
Aimsight for 82mm M60 recoilless rifle

Users

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References

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Notes

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  1. ^ JIW, p. 746.
  2. ^ WEG, p. 62.
  3. ^ JIW, p. 747. Sources from post-Yugoslavian republics claim later rounds increased armor penetration to 300 - 400mm.
  4. ^ a b c Gander, Terry J. (4 June 2001). "82 mm M60A recoilless gun". Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002-2003. pp. 5909–5910.
  5. ^ Krott, Rob (October 2003). "Macedonia's Weaponry: A New Nation Re-Arms and Fights". Small Arms Review. Vol. 7, no. 1.
  6. ^ "Weapons from the Former Yugoslavia Spread Through Syria's War". 25 February 2013.

Bibliography

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  • (JIW) Hogg, Ian. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984-85, London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1984.
  • (WEG) U.S. Army. Worldwide Equipment Guide 2001, Training and Doctrine Command, 2001.