Mosquito ATGM

This first-generation weapon was originally developed by Swiss Contraves but lost the Swiss Army order to the Bofors Bantam. A number were bought by Japan for research, and hence similarities between Mosquito and KAM-3D. The only operator was Italy. An anti-tank missile (ATM), anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) or anti-armor guided weapon, is a primarily guided missile designed to hit and destroy heavily armored military vehicles. The Cobra ATGM was developed by Bölkow, Oerlikon and Contraves. Mosquito is basically an improved version of the Cobra. For defense equipment observers, the "Mosquito" seems familiar, the design of the anti tank missile is similar to the Soviet Union's anti-tank missile, 9M14 Malyutka (in the NATO code called AT-3 Sagger). This Mosquito missile is fairly light and compact, 1.1 meters in length with a diameter of 0.2 meters, and the overall wingspan width is 0.6 meters. Overall, the weight of Mosquito is 14.1 kg.

Mosquito is powered by two-stage solid rocket motors. This missile launch speed can reach 90 meters per second or 320 km per hour. Talking about shooting range is in the range 350 - 2,400 meters, although the effective shooting distance is mentioned at 1,500 - 1,800 meters. The warhead that is carried is a 4 kg hollow charge that can break down the Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA) layer with a thickness of 660 mm.

The Mosquito guide system is similar to TOW anti-tank missiles (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire guided), which rely on SACLOS technology (Semi Automatic Command to Line of Sight). In SACLOS wire guided is used. Yes, with wire guided, the missile is guided through cable media. In its operation, shooters with binocular binoculars can control missile maneuvers through the joystick console. For mobility, Mosquito in its launch is packaged in special containers.

Mosquito was released as an Italian anti tank missile, although the design was developed by Swiss defense equipment manufacturer Oerlikon Contraves AG in collaboration with the German aerospace company, Bölkow. Then the phase of missile production was entrusted to the Italian company, Contraves Italiana SpA. This missile was designed in the 1959 period, and by 1961 had entered the production process. Besides Italy and Indonesia, the users of this anti tank missile are Malaysia.

UN Resolution 182 of 4 December 1963 called upon all States to cease forth with the sale and shipment of equipment and materials for the manufacture and maintenance of arms and ammunition in South Africa. Only in 1996 did Switzerland subject suppliers to government approval for transfer of licensing rights to produce weaponry as well as other assistance in building up munitions production abroad. Around 1964 Plessey (South Africa) Ltd. was engaged in final assembly of Contraves Mosquito antitank rockets, though this licensed production task could not be completely clarified.

Oerlikon Contraves was a Swiss anti-aircraft artillery manufacturer famous for its adaptation of the 1916 20 mm Becker as the Oerlikon 20 mm autocannon design, which was used in the Second World War and still in use today. Contraves is no longer involved in missile production, the Mosquito line being closed in 1971. Rheinmetall Air Defence AG is a division of German armament manufacturer Rheinmetall, created when the company's Oerlikon Contraves unit was renamed on 1 January 2009 and integrated with Rheinmetall's other air-defence products.