Panzerblitz (missile) explained

Panzerblitz
Origin:Germany
Type:Rocket
Is Ranged:yes
Is Explosive:yes
Service:1945
Used By:Luftwaffe
Wars:World War II
Velocity:525 m/s (1,175 mph)
Range:600-1,000 m
Max Range:1,500 m
Diameter:80 mm in Panzerblitz I88 mm in Panzerblitz II 210 mm in Panzerblitz III
Filling Weight:Unknown

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

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

A Panzerblitz rocket pod was in development. It would have been for the Ar-234 C and each pod would have contained 20 Panzerblitz rockets. [1]

Sources

Notes and References

  1. Strahlflugzeug Arado Ar 234 ’Blitz’ by Manfred Griehl p.217