Energa rifle grenade
ENERGA rifle grenade. The blue paint signifies an inert training version
TypeAntitank Rifle Grenade
Place of originLiechtenstein, first manufactured in Belgium
Service history
WarsKorean War, South African Border War
Production history
DesignerEdgar Brandt[1]
ManufacturerMecar SA
Specifications (HEAT-RFL-75)
Mass765 g (27.0 oz)
Length425 mm (16.7 in)
Diameter75 mm (3.0 in)
Muzzle velocity75 m/s (250 ft/s)
Maximum firing range550 m (1,800 ft) (maximum)
200 m (660 ft) (effective)
FillingPETN
Filling weight314 g (11.1 oz)[2]

The Energa anti-tank rifle grenade is a rifle-launched anti-tank grenade that is propelled by a ballistite-filled blank cartridge. The name Energa comes from the firm in Liechtenstein that designed it, the Anstalt für die ENtwicklung von ERfindungen und Gewerblichen Anwendungen, based in Vaduz.[3]

First produced in the 1950s, by Mecar in Belgium, it was in front-line use by European armies until replaced by disposable tube-launched anti-tank rockets such as the M72 LAW. Although no longer in production, stocks of the grenade still exist and the Energa grenade remains in service with Third World countries. Armscor of South Africa manufactured the R1M1, an improved version of the Energa grenade.[4]

The original Energa grenade could penetrate 200 mm (7.8 inches) of armor[5][6][7] or 500 mm (19.6 inches) of concrete at an angle of impact of 90 degrees. At an angle of impact of 45 degrees, the figures dropped to 100 mm (3.9 inches) and 250 mm (9.8 inches), respectively.

The Super Energa used a rocket booster to extend the grenade's range to 550 m (1,800 ft).[8] The Super Energa could penetrate up to 275 mm (10.8 inches) of armor and 600 mm (23.6 inches) of concrete.

U.S. service

Early in the Korean War, U.S. forces found their World War II-era anti-tank rifle grenades were ineffective against the frontal armor of T-34 tanks. This led the U.S. to produce their own version of the Energa, the M28 rifle grenade, from 1950 until 1960.[9][10] Originally the M28 was fired from Mecar's proprietary T119 (M1 Garand) and T120 (M1 Carbine) launchers. The T119 was soon replaced by the improved M7A3 launcher (M1 Garand) from September 1952 onwards. The M28 was eventually replaced in US military service by the M31 HEAT rifle grenade and later by the M72 LAW rocket. The M29 TP (Training Practice) round remained in service until it was replaced in 1961 by the improved M31 TP.

UK service

In British service, the Energa was known as the Anti-Tank Grenade, No. 94 (ENERGA). It was designed to be fired from the Projector (No. 4 Rifle) Mark 5 (c.1952), an attachment for the Lee–Enfield No.4 Rifle. The later L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle could also fire the Energa, but it was not commonly done. It was made obsolete by the adoption of the 84mm L14A1 Medium Anti-tank Weapon (MAW) and the 66mm M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW).

The Energa was introduced to infantry units of the British Army of the Rhine from 1952 when it replaced the PIAT. It was issued one per person within the infantry platoon and attached to the waist belt and fired from Projector Mark 5 attached to the Lee–Enfield No. 4 Rifle and later fired from a similar projector attached to the muzzle of the L1A1 Self-loading Rifle.

South African service

The South African 75mm R1M1 version was used during the South African involvement in Angola during the 1970s and 1980s. It was launched from standard R1 (FN-FAL) rifles.[4]

Bangladeshi service

Bangladeshi mukti bahini members used ENERGA grenades in a large number.[11]

Netherlands service

Netherlands produced three versions of Energa, the NR4 was a live grenade, the NR5 was an inert practice grenade, and the NR18 was a practice grenade with white chalk in a plastic nosecone that shattered on impact and left a strike mark on the target.

Belgian service

Energa saw service with the ABL. It could be fired from both the FN-FAL and also from the FN Model 1949 (SAFN). The Belgians also produced an inert training grenade. AT GR PRAC 75 mm.

Performance of variants

Variant Length Weight Explosive fill Armor
penetration (est.)		 Maximum
range		 Effective
range
Energa 395 mm (15.6 in) 645 g (22.8 oz) 331 g (11.7 oz) RDX & TNT 200 mm (7.9 in) 300 m (330 yd) 100 m (110 yd)
NR4 395 mm (15.6 in) 645 g (22.8 oz) 331 g (11.7 oz) RDX & TNT 200 mm (7.9 in) 300 m (330 yd) 100 m (110 yd)
Super Energa 425 mm (16.7 in) 765 g (27.0 oz) 314 g (11.1 oz) PETN 275 mm (10.8 in) 550 m (600 yd) 200 m (220 yd)
Denel R1M1 about 425 mm (16.7 in) 720 g (25 oz)  ? g RDX & Wax 275 mm (10.8 in) 375 m (410 yd) 75 m (82 yd)
External image
Super ENERGA Cut-Away
image icon Cutaway drawing shows rocket-assist and unique safety flash-barrier design in the base that prevents detonation even if dropped on nose

References

  1. ↑ "CIPO - Patent - 696334". Brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca. 1964-10-20. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
  2. ↑ "OrData - Data Details". Ordatamines.maic.jmu.edu. Archived from the original on 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
  3. ↑ "Energa AT rifle granade". Wk2ammo.com. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
  4. 1 2 Heitman, Helmoed-Römer (1988). South African arms & armour: a concise guide to armaments of the South African army, navy, and air force. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. ISBN 0-86977-637-1.
  5. ↑ Copyright 2001-2005 Inert-Ord.Net. "U.S. Rifle Grenades, WWII & After". Inert-Ord.net. Retrieved 2013-03-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ Wade, David E. (1956-01-30). "Effective Use of Organic Antitank Weapons in the Defense" (PDF). benning.army.mil. The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, United States. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-19. Retrieved 2017-12-27. When the Rifle Grenade M28 is used there is a capability of penetrating eight inches of homogenous armor plate at a maximum effective range of 100 yards.
  7. ↑ LEXPEV. "Nr4 heat". Lexpev.nl. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
  8. ↑ JIW, p.429.
  9. ↑ "Popernack Books and Militaria - Library". Popernack.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
  10. ↑ "Tests Of Energa Anti-Tank Rifle Grenades". Oai.dtic.mil. Archived from the original on 2012-02-27. Retrieved 2013-03-31.
  11. ↑ "Arms for freedom". 29 December 2017. Archived from the original on April 7, 2018. Retrieved 2019-08-31.

Further reading

  • Ian Hogg. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984-85, London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1984.
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