Wasp 58
| Industry | Defense |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1980s |
| Products | Wasp 58 rocket launcher |
| Parent | GIAT |
The Wasp 58 is a 58-mm rocket launcher designed as an anti-tank weapon, developed in France in the late 1980s. Created privately by Luchaire SA, a branch of GIAT, it was aimed at export markets by offering an affordable and lightweight option.
History
During the early 1980s, Luchaire recognized that increasing expenses for light, individual anti-armor weapons were restricting their acquisition. To address this, the Wasp 58 was engineered as a single-operator rocket launcher providing improved accuracy and user-friendliness compared to rifle grenades, while remaining cost-effective to satisfy international demand.
Description
The Wasp 58 functions as a direct-fire system intended to engage lightly armored vehicles at distances reaching 300 metres. It is also effective against bunkers and serves in a fire support role. This disposable, one-person weapon utilizes the recoilless principle: ignition propels the 58-mm projectile forward while ejecting plastic fragments rearward to neutralize recoil. These fragments rapidly lose speed within one metre, significantly reducing backblast. Post-launch, six fins deploy to stabilize the projectile.
Engineered for compactness and simplicity, the Wasp 58 features a low firing signature that permits use within confined spaces such as small rooms without exposing the operator’s location. Its launch tube is sealed and constructed from fiberglass reinforced plastic. The 58-mm HEAT warhead is based on the Grenade à fusil antichar de 58 mm Mle F1 PAB rifle grenade, also manufactured by Luchaire and employed by the French armed forces and others.
The warhead can penetrate up to 300 mm of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA), making it effective against wheeled armored vehicles and light tanks from frontal or flank angles; however, it lacks sufficient power to defeat the frontal armor of modern main battle tanks.
Maintenance requirements for the Wasp 58 are minimal, limited to standard care typical of small arms ammunition with no annual servicing necessary. It achieves a hit probability exceeding 95% against stationary targets and approximately 88% against moving targets.
Production
Introduced commercially in 1987, over 450,000 units of the Wasp 58 have been produced, including under license in Greece. It continues to be utilized by military forces in France (notably the Commandos de l'Air), Belgium, Denmark, Greece, and the Netherlands. Of note, some rockets were illicitly obtained by the Greek Revolutionary Organization 17 November for use in terrorist operations.