Last updated on February 17th, 2019 at 09:47 pm
America’s AT8 bunker buster was a variant of Sweden’s AT4 light anti-armor weapon that was designed to be used to defeat bunkers and to engage in urban warfare.
The AT8 bunker buster used the AT4’s propulsion system and launch tube.
However, on the AT8, the AT4’s heat projectile is replaced by the HEDP projectile used by America’s SMAW (Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault System).
The AT8, which was designed for the US Army, never entered production.
Both the AT8 and the M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (also known as the SMAW-D) were candidates for the role of the Army’s bunker buster.
In 1996, the Army decided to use the SMAW-D, a light disposable recoilless rifle that fires the SMAW’s HEAT warhead.
While the AT8 was designated a bunker buster, it was also capable of engaging against light AFVs, including armored personnel carriers.
Controls on the AT8 were the same as on the AT4, so if a soldier knew how to operate the AT4, he could operate the AT8.
The AT8 bunker buster weighed 16.1 pounds (7.3kg) and was 39.37 inches (1000mm) long.
It could penetrate 7.87 inches (200mm) of concrete and had effective range of 273.4yards (250m).
The 3.3 inch (84mm) caliber projectile on the AT8 carried over 2.2 pounds (1kg) of explosives in its warhead.