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The WASP 58 was a private venture product of Luchaire SA of France which sought to offer a cost-effective alternative to contemporary shoulder-fired anti-tank launchers emerging from the 1970s and 1980s, these themselves attempting to unseat the popular and effective 1960s-era M72 LAW system. The WASP 58 managed success with nearly half-a-million units sold and local production granted in countries such as Greece. The weapon remains in circulation today (2014) and has seen combat service with French special forces elements among others.

The WASP 58 relies on a recoilless action which allows a light launch tube to be used. Propellant gasses are allowed to escape from the rear of the tube while the rocket projectile makes its way out of the muzzle - the result being far less recoil forces at work against the weapon and operator. Luchaire, therefore, created a useful product that was both low-cost and lightweight. Padding was added at both ends of the launch tube and at other support points along the weapon for some comfort with aiming-engagement optics being integrated into its design. Caliber was just 58mm with the projectile being a 615g HEAT anti-armor warhead rocket - capable of defeating both armor (400mm) or concrete faces (800mm) at range in addition to allowing the weapon to be fired from confined spaces.

Time has begun to limit the value of the WASP 58 on the modern battlefield for its penetration value is lessened against more modern combat tanks but can still fulfill its intended role against older tanks/armored vehicles and fortified structures.

The Luchaire SA brand now falls under the Nexter name.©MilitaryFactory.com

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