Panzerblitz (missile)

Panzerblitz is a German anti-tank unguided aerial rocket developed during the Second World War.

Panzerblitz
A Panzerblitz II on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Type	Rocket
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
In service	1945
Used by	Luftwaffe
Wars	World War II
Specifications
Diameter	80 mm in Panzerblitz I, 88 mm in Panzerblitz II, 210 mm in Panzerblitz III
Muzzle velocity	525 m/s (1,175 mph)
Effective firing range	600-1,000 m
Maximum firing range	1,500 m
Filling weight	Unknown

The missile was based on the R4M Orkan air-to-air rocket used by the Messerschmitt Me 262. It was fitted with either an 80 mm (3.1 in)-diameter standard warhead, in Panzerblitz I, or a 210 mm (8.3 in)-diameter hollow charge warhead, in the Panzerblitz III.

Fw 190 A8 Unterseite Panzerblitz

It was intended to be operated by the Henschel Hs 132, which would carry up to eight rockets, complementing or even replacing the cannon armament in the tank-destroying role. The 80mm model was tested extensively in early 1945 from Focke-Wulf Fw 190s, but neither Panzerblitz I nor Panzerblitz III (earmarked exclusively for the Hs 132) were ready for use by the German surrender in May 1945.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Type: Unguided rocket, anti-tank warhead
• Length:
• Diameter:
• Dry weight:

Components

• Compressor:

Performance

• Maximum power output:
• Power-to-weight ratio:

Sources

• Green, William. Warplanes of the Third Reich. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1970 (fourth impression 1979). ISBN 0-356-02382-6.
• Smith, J.Richard and Kay, Anthony. German Aircraft of the Second World War. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1972 (third impression 1978). ISBN 0-370-00024-2.
• Wood, Tony and Gunston, Bill. Hitler's Luftwaffe: A pictorial history and technical encyclopedia of Hitler's air power in World War II. London: Salamander Books Ltd., 1977. ISBN 0-86101-005-1.