Cobra (missile)

The Bölkow BO 810 COBRA was the first guided anti-tank missile of the Bundeswehr. The development began in 1954, after the financing was secured. The term " COBRA " stands for Contraves, Oerlikon, Bölkow and rocket. After the testing was successful in early 1956, the end of the year could be negotiated, a purchase agreement with the federal government over first 2000 units, which was signed in January 1957. The COBRA was produced in large numbers and exported.

History

Attempts during the Second World War had demonstrated the possibilities of guided missiles for anti-tank, also known as direct development and increase in range of the concept of the bazooka.

After the war, the development was supported by the Federal Government, MBB and Swiss companies ( since the development of warheads was not allowed in Germany, Oerlikon - Buehrle was involved) driven, coinciding approximately with similar projects by French, British, U.S. and Soviet forces.

In Germany, developed and introduced by the Bundeswehr Missile ( LFK ) 810 COBRA was - in addition to the M 41 - until it was replaced by the anti-tank guided missile MILAN anti-tank infantry solution for medium distances.

A direct development called MAMBA was no longer used.

Use

The missile had some handy, especially now appearing peculiarities in construction and use on:

Steering

• The missile was steered directly and manually via joysticks and steering wire while observing the LFK and the target by a mounted on the control unit normal binoculars.
• The steering wire was anchored during starting and flight by a tent peg in the ground
• The missile gyro was accelerated at the start by cable ( herring ) and reached via contacts in the position of a stabilization.
• To practice the steering there was a special screen display device with transistor control. Analogous to a simple ( and difficult ) early video game had to be steered an icon over another.
• By the replacement of the steering wire to the control device of the next missiles could be started.

Missile

• The missile had four aerodynamic acting Störkämme instead of those used today ( beam ) oar. The operation thus corresponded to the missile Fritz X.
• The missile had a carrying handle, which remained together with the externally mounted battery and also external start engine during flight at LFK
• The rocket was launched from the ground lying; LFK was here on two of the four wings, oriented horizontally in the target direction. A Startvorichtung as with other guided missiles was therefore not necessary.
• The missile launched obliquely upward ( VTOL ). After burning out the engine start the cruise engine accelerated the rocket continues horizontally. A start behind cover was therefore possible.