Rbs 56

Description

The Rbs 56 missile (the launch tube, missile with fins folded, and deployed missile are shown; scale is approximate)

The Robotsystem 56 "BILL" (Rbs 56) is a Swedish medium range anti-tank weapon system designed by Bofors (Now SAAB Bofors Dynamics) under the name "BILL" (Bofors Infantry Light and Lethal anti-tank missile). Development started in 1979, was first demonstrated in 1982 and brought into service in 1985. The Rbs 56 served as a man-portable anti-tank weapon designed to destroy enemy MBTs (Main Battle Tank) up until 2013 after which it was replaced by the newer Rbs 57 "NLAW".

The Rbs 56 is an OTA (Over-fly Top Attack), SACLOS (Semi-automatic command to line of sight) wire-guided anti-tank missile system. The weapon, like most anti-tank guided missiles, uses a warhead that perforates armour using an explosively formed penetrator (EFP), a type of warhead often referred to as "HEAT" (High Explosive Anti-Tank). What differentiates the Rbs 56 from most similar weapon-systems is the fact that the warhead is facing downwards at a 30 degree angle and located further back onto the missile.

The warhead location and orientation is due to the fact that the Rbs 56 defeats targets using the mentioned "OTA" method, which means that instead of the missile detonating on impact and sending the penetrator horizontally into the target it instead flies over and detonates vertically sending the penetrators downwards into less protected areas.

The only vehicle currently using the Rbs 56 is the Strf 9040 BILL which uses the upgraded Rbs 56B "BILL 2".

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

• Strf 9040 BILL

General info

Missile characteristics
Type	Top-Down
Calibre	150 mm
Mass	10.9 kg
Guidance	Semi-Automatic (SACLOS)
Maximum speed	250 m/s
Missile guidance time	15 secs
Firing range	2.2 km
Explosive mass	2.72 kg TNTeq
Fuze delay	0.05 m
Fuze Sensitivity	0.1 mm
Arming distance	10 m
Trigger radius	3 m
Armour penetration	510 mm

Effective damage

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Comparison with analogues

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Usage in battles

This missile can defeat most MBTs and IFVs. It can strike through ERA and works better on vehicles with a carousel auto-loader or vehicles that stow ammunition centre-mass. Very effective at low to medium range, still being effective at long range but limited due to the velocity of the missile.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Attacks vehicles where the armour is the thinnest
• Can attack hull-down vehicles
• Good manoeuvrability
• Excellent penetration, often knocking a vehicle out in one strike
• Lightweight
• Decent range

Cons:

• A direct nose impact won't cause any significant damage
• Can be difficult to anticipate exactly where to aim on moving targets
• Lower velocity and range than the TOW-2B

History

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Media

Videos

Best guided missiles discusses the Rbs 56 Bill II at 2:49 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

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• reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;
• references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.

External links

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• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the weapon;
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