"Bumblebee" (flamethrower): description, photo. Jet Flamethrower "Bumblebee"

The experience of regional conflicts of recent decades has shown that for successful combat operations infantry units are not using the usual rifle means, they need a fundamentally new class of hand weapons. Already during the Second World War, the armies of some countries of the world received hand grenade launchers that successfully performed the functions of light artillery, such as fighting against enemy armored vehicles and providing fire support for an attack during the assault on fortified points. Despite the imperfection of the first samples, they immediately proved their effectiveness.

bumblebee flamethrower

The tasks of modern infantry

The increasing role of each soldier in street battles and the possibility of inflicting maximum damage to the enemy is ensured by the presence in his arsenal of light, but very powerful weapons of enormous destructive power. The Afghan war revealed the problems faced by combat units during active operations in the mountains. Any complex terrain with many folds, ruins, residential buildings, industrial buildings or specially built defense facilities with powerful protection create serious difficulties for the advance of the advancing troops. To overcome them, Tula gunsmiths in the late eighties created the thermobaric grenade launcher "Bumblebee".

Knapsack type flamethrower, previously used to suppress fortified points, did not fully comply with the requirements for modern assault weapons.

Classic flamethrower and its disadvantages

A conventional flamethrower is simple enough. On the back, the fighter is forced to carry a voluminous tank with a combustible mixture, in his hands is a direct hit weapon, which is something like a hose with an igniter, these two main nodes are connected by a hose. The advantage of this weapon in its simplicity, the large possible area of ​​destruction and the strong psychological effect produced by the defenders, but there are enough shortcomings. Firstly, stepping with a heavy tank behind your back is not very convenient. Secondly, the distance of defeat is small, and in order to inflict any significant damage to the enemy, you need to get close to him, and this is sometimes very difficult. The impressive size of the device makes it difficult to stealth. Thirdly, this weapon is dangerous not only for the enemy, but also for the flamethrower, since any damage to the tank or hose will cause spontaneous ignition of the fuel mixture and, as a result, a terrible and painful death. "Bumblebee" has been spared these structural defects.

hand flamethrower bumblebee

New type flamethrower

In 1984, Soviet arms developers received an order from the army for a new means of fire destruction of enemy manpower and equipment. The range must be at least half a kilometer. Power is required, with the ability to suppress well-fortified targets. At the same time, the device must be made light so that the soldier can not just walk with him, but run and climb mountains. Practically needed a hand gun weighing a dozen kilograms.

To complete such a technical task was difficult. But the Tula gunsmiths from the Basalt GNPP worked and created the Bumblebee. The flamethrower turned out well. Consider its main characteristics.

flamethrower bumblebee photo

Bumblebee: flamethrower and its deadly flight

The flamethrower, nicknamed the “shaitan pipe” by internationalist warriors, in its basic structure, is similar to a conventional rocket launcher. The main difference is the rocket shell with which it is loaded. When the Bumblebee hand-held flamethrower hits the target, it does not just form a blast wave and splinters, but creates a three-dimensional explosion according to the principle of vacuum ammunition. This quality has made him an indispensable means of combating the Mujahideen hiding in crevices or under raised rock formations. For the destruction of armored vehicles, the Bumblebee jet flamethrower is also suitable, the barothermic blow created during the explosion will disable the crew of an unpressurized tank or armored personnel carrier in an area of ​​50 square meters of open area with a total guaranteed destruction of 80 cubic meters.

flamethrower bumblebee

The performance data of RPO-A "Bumblebee"

The flamethrower is most effective at a distance of 400 meters, but you can shoot at six hundred evenly. “Bumblebee” is light and compact, it weighs 11 kg, which is quite a bit for destructive forces, and is a cylindrical body 92 cm long and a decimeter in diameter with a protruding pistol grip and scope. Projectile caliber - 93 mm. A charge weighing 2 kg 100 g creates a volumetric explosion, which leads to its high efficiency.

New "Bumblebee" RPO-PDM-A

No matter how good “Bumblebee” is, Tula specialists were able to improve it. The next modification received an additional index RPO-PDM-A (PDM means "increased range and power"). Now it hits 1.7 km with an effective sighting distance of 800 m. The charge mass is also increased to 6 kg, and the flamethrower itself has become lighter, it weighs 8 kg 800g. He has one more feature, the new Shmel-M flamethrower is equipped with a removable control unit with a night vision optical sight.

flamethrower bumblebee m

Weight reduction was achieved through the use of composite materials, in particular, the launch tube is made of heavy-duty fiberglass. To protect the projectile from external influences and mechanical damage, rubber caps are used that fly off when it exits. The rocket is initiated using an electronic ignition system. Another design feature is the integration of a solid-fuel engine with a charging compartment.

"Bumblebees" for export

Unique weapons are one of the important articles of Russian export, and there is nothing wrong with that. We will not sell - others will do it. It is all the more important to take advantage of competitive advantages. The world has not yet created portable systems that could surpass the Bumblebee flamethrower in thermobaric efficiency. Photos and videos sent by correspondents of news channels from the world's hot spots demonstrate the sad popularity of these weapons even in the most exotic countries. According to military experts, this small device can produce the same damage as a 155-mm howitzer ...


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