Panzerblitz (missile)

Panzerblitz is a German anti-tank unguided aerial rocket developed during the Second World War.

TypeRocket

PlaceoforiginGermany

Inservice1945

UsedbyLuftwaffe

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Panzerblitz
A Panzerblitz II on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Type	Rocket
Place of origin	Germany
Service history
In service	1945
Used by	Luftwaffe
Wars	World War II
Specifications
Diameter	80 mm in Panzerblitz I 88 mm in Panzerblitz II 55 mm in Panzerblitz III
Muzzle velocity	525 m/s (1,175 mph)
Effective firing range	600-1,000 m
Maximum firing range	1,500 m
Filling weight	Unknown

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The first variant of the missile Panzerblitz I was based on the 80 mm (3.1 in) M-8 rocket (which is a German clone of the Soviet RS-82 rocket) with a HEAT warhead, the second variant Panzerblitz II was based on the R4M Orkan air-to-air rocket used by the Messerschmitt Me 262. It was fitted with either an 88 mm (3.5 in)-diameter RPzGr 4992 HEAT warhead from the Panzerschreck^{[clarification needed]}, the third variant the panzerblitz III was essentially a 55 mm (2.2 in) R4/M but with a HEAT warhead.

It was intended to be operated by the Henschel Hs 132, which would carry up to eight rockets, complementing or even replacing the cannon armament in the tank-destroying role. The 80mm model was tested extensively in early 1945 from Focke-Wulf Fw 190s, but neither Panzerblitz II nor Panzerblitz III (earmarked exclusively for the Hs 132) were ready for use by the German surrender in May 1945.

however the panzerblitz I was used in action on both the western and eastern front by units such as III./SG 4 (all three Staffeln), 13.(Pz)/SG 151, 1.(Pz)/SG 9 (Pz.Blitz). II./SG 151, 3.(Pz)/SG 9, 3./SG 1, 9./SG 77 & 6./SG 1. planned to be followed by 3./SG 77, 3./SG 4, 3./SG 3 & 6./SG 4.

A Panzerblitz rocket pod was in development. It would have been for the Ar-234 C and each pod would have contained 20 Panzerblitz rockets.^[1]