
Specifications
Year: 1964
Manufacturer(s): State Arsenals - UK
Roles:
Manufacturer(s): State Arsenals - UK
Roles:
Action: Reoilless Action; Resuable Tube
Caliber(s): 120mm
Sights: Included Optics
Overall Length: 3,860 mm (151.97 in)
Barrel Length: 3,860 mm (151.97 in)
Weight (Unloaded): 683.43 lb (310.00 kg)
Caliber(s): 120mm
Sights: Included Optics
Overall Length: 3,860 mm (151.97 in)
Barrel Length: 3,860 mm (151.97 in)
Weight (Unloaded): 683.43 lb (310.00 kg)
Muzzle Velocity: 1,520 feet-per-second (463 meters-per-second)
Rate-of-Fire: 4 rounds-per-minute
Effective Range: 3,280 ft (1,000 m; 1,093 yd)
Rate-of-Fire: 4 rounds-per-minute
Effective Range: 3,280 ft (1,000 m; 1,093 yd)
Operators: Australia; United Kingdom
The L6 WOMBAT (Weapon of Magnesium, Battalion, Anti-Tank) represented a more portable solution to the existing vehicle-mounted L4 MOBAT weapon already in use. However, it was hardly a man-portable system as the RCL before it was, weighing a hefty 680lbs and requiring use of a wheeled carriage and crew of three. The new weapon fired a 28lb, 120mm projectile at a rate of four rounds-per-minute with a muzzle velocity of 1,520 feet-per-second. Effective range was 1,000 meters with an extreme range out to 1,600 meters. Sighting was through an integrated optical arrangement. The wheeled carriage allowed for a full-360-degree traverse as well as an elevation span of -8 to +17 degrees. It was a line-of-sight weapon requiring the crew to have an unobstructed view of the intended target.
Despite its weight, the WOMBAT still proved a mobile solution over the heavier vehicle-mounted version. In this fashion, it could be used by dedicated anti-tank teams in-the-field and lightly-armed paratroopers who relied on any useful artillery piece after being dropped from an airplane. Magnesium alloys were used throughout the construction of the WOMBAT to help reduce its overall weight and a lighter breech mechanism also helped to keep weight in check. The removable, wheeled carriage was also purposely designed as a compact, lightweight mount.
In practice, the L6 saw widespread use as a field weapon and as a vehicle-mounted system. In the latter, the WOMBAT was outfitted to lightweight Land Rovers of the British Army. Others found their way atop the hull roofs of armored vehicles to be used as a point defense system against enemy armor. British Marine forces stationed in the Arctic regions of Norway mounted their L6 weapons to their "Snow Trac" tracked vehicles.
L6 WOMBATs were in use until the wider adoption of improved wire-guided anti-tank missiles. From that period onwards, the recoilless rifle found a reduced frontline role in all modern armies, remaining a weapon for just a few select units such as Special Forces groups.
Variants / Models
• L6 WOMBAT - Base Series Designation