The B-300 maintains an advantage of needing only a single user to operate the weapon. By Staff Writer
The B-300 is an Israeli Military Industries product and is a man-portable anti-tank weapon system. It is designed to engage enemy tanks or fortified structures depending on the chosen warhead type (HEAT - High Explosive Anti-Tank round or HEFT - High Explosive Follow-Through). The Follow-Through round deals with fortifications in two stages, the first being the penetration phase. The second (i.e. the follow-through) phase, launches a secondary anti-personnel shaped charge into the structure. Design of the B-300 began in the 1970's with production running from 1980 through today.
The B-300 itself had origins in the French-produced STRIM anti-tank rocket launching system. This weapon replaced the American-made 3.5" Super Bazookas in service with the IDF. Review of Israeli Army experience in their 1973 conflict gave notice to the effectiveness of Soviet-produced RPG-7 systems in enemy hands. As such, a competing design by Israel was eventually ushered in, this becoming the B-300.
Physically, the B-300 follows conventional wisdom in design. A pistol grip is positioned slightly forward with the firing mechanism on a pistol grip and trigger assembly positioned near center of the firing tube. A folding bipod is positioned just aft of the pistol grip as is a retractable shoulder rest. Sights include integrated standard front and rear battle sights and a variable scope mounting. Scope types include the Starlight scope (via adapter) for night operations and Stadia Sighting Telescope with integrated Beta light for improved dawn/dusk efficiency.
The B-300 weighs in at 3.65 kilograms empty and at 8 kilograms loaded. The system is 1,440 millimeters in length and can fire 3 rounds per minute. Sights include the standard iron sights but this can be augmented with the use of telescopic sights and night vision scopes. Its ease of use allows various military components to utilize the weapon as needed - this includes airborne and mechanized infantrymen alike.
The B-300 won the US Marines competition trials to become the SMAW bunker buster weapon.
The B-300 has seen active combat use in the 1st and 2nd Intifadas as well as the 2006 Lebanon War.
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1980
Designation:IMI B-300 Classification Type:Reusable Anti-Tank Rocket System Manufacturer:Israeli Military Industries - Israel Country of Origin: Israel
Operators: Azerbaijan; Chile; Estonia; India; Israel; Mexico; Singapore; Turkey; United States
Variants
B-300 - Base Production Model
SMAW (Mk 153) - US Marine Corps derivative of the B-300.
"Shipon" - Reusable Multi-Purpose Shoulder-Launched Rocket System for use by Israeli special forces, security forces and army; improved range and penetration value; based on the B-300.
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