Image source: topwar.ru
The Spanish defense company Instalaza has unveiled the Hispano MPW ("multipurpose weapon"), a new 90mm reusable portable grenade launcher.
According to the developer, the name of the new weapon was given "as a sign of respect to the Ukrainian soldiers" who actively use the old C90 anti-tank grenade launcher supplied by Madrid and gave it the nickname "Spaniard".
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Hispano uses the same ammunition and will be able to use new extended-range weapons. The latter are specially created for this product and will increase the firing distance from 350 to 650 m. They are equipped with a two-stage propulsion system (borrowed from the Alcotan anti-tank product): the rocket engine accelerates the projectile in the launch tube, then the accelerator separates from the projectile, which continues to fly under the action of the main engine, providing an almost constant speed of about 200 m / s.
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The first 90-mm extended-range ammunition will be an anti-tank projectile with a shaped warhead under development.
The weapon consists of a smooth-bore metal barrel, which is covered with a protective cloth that reduces IR visibility. The ammunition is loaded from behind, the lock holds them in place while the MSA, interacting through electrical contacts, recognizes the type of grenade and automatically selects the appropriate ballistic trajectory for it. All that remains is to push the ammunition into the barrel after the lock unlocks its movement.
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The SLA measures the temperature of the fuel in the rocket engine, calculates the necessary thrust based on it, and sets the initial velocity of the shot.
- it says in the edition of EDR Magazine.
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The grenade launcher is equipped with a day/night sight with optical and thermal imaging channels, the latter of which is based on an uncooled LWIR sensor. The image is displayed on a color display with 3x magnification.
The weight of the battery pack is 1.7 kg, including 6 CR123 batteries. There is a backup sight with a red dot. If the customer decides not to purchase an MSA, they can use the E-Ivision series of sights, which are not equipped with a thermal imager and are available in various configurations. The weight of the weapon is 5.8 kg with a backup sight and without a SLA, the length is less than 1 meter.
Instalaza expects to conclude the first Hispano contract in 2025.
