View source for M79 Osa

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = M79 Osa
| image              = M79-OSA.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| type               = [[Anti-tank]] [[Shoulder-launched missile|rocket launcher]]
| origin             = [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged          = yes
| is_explosive       = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service            = 
| used_by            = See [[#Operators|''Operators'']]
| wars               = [[Yugoslav Wars]]<br>[[Syrian Civil War]]<ref>{{cite AV media |date=31 August 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dcwV48f9rE |title=Syria Pobunjenici koriste OSU M79 |publisher=212 Brdska Brigada Srebrenik |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326005642/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dcwV48f9rE |archive-date=26 March 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKVYP9G1DG0|title = - YouTube|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref><br>[[Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)|Yemeni Civil War]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMtU5IrYOl0|title = - YouTube|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=17 January 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHTSjDDx6TU |title=Yemen: Mass all-woman Houthi rally held in Sanaa |publisher=[[Ruptly]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313204954/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHTSjDDx6TU |archive-date=13 March 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- Production history -->| designer           = [[Military Technical Institute]]
| design_date        = 1979
| manufacturer       = [[Sloboda (defense company)|Sloboda]]
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 
| number             = 
| variants           = <!-- General specifications -->
| weight             = 11.2 kg (loaded) <br /> 6.2 kg (launcher) <br /> 3.5 kg (rocket)
| length             = 1.91 m (launcher loaded) <br /> 0.67 m (rocket)
| part_length        = 
| width              = 
| height             = 
| diameter           = 
| crew               = 2
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->| cartridge          = 
| caliber            = 90 mm
| yield              = 400 mm [[Rolled homogeneous armor|RHA]]
| rate               = 6 rounds per minute
| velocity           = 250 m/s
| range              = 350 m (AFVs)<br>
600 m (Buildings)
| max_range          = 1,960 m
| feed               = 
| sights             = CN-6 (3.5× optical sight)<br>or flip up iron sights
}}

The '''M79 Osa''' (from {{langx|sr|оса|lit=wasp}}) is a Yugoslav-made portable 90&nbsp;mm [[anti-tank weapon]] made of fibre-reinforced plastics. It resembles the French portable anti-tank launcher 89&nbsp;mm [[LRAC F1]]. It consists of the launcher, a CN-6 sighting piece, [[rocket]] and carrying case for the rocket. The M79 shoots unguided projectiles in direct sight and is effective against armoured fighting vehicles and fortifications.

==Operation==
{{multiple image
 | align=left
 | direction=vertical
 | image1=NisanM79osa.jpg
 | image2=CN6reticle.jpg
 | footer = CN-6 reticle
}}

The M79 Osa is operated by a two-man team, an operator and a loader. The loader inserts the rocket container through the rear of the launcher. The operator then takes aim at the target through the CN-6 sight. The CN-6 sight has 3.5x magnification and a 10 degree field of view. It also features anti-laser filters to protect the operator from blinding battlefield lasers. When the trigger is pressed, the rocket motor is fired electronically. The rocket leaves the launcher at a speed of approximately 250 meters per second. It is accurate enough to be used against armoured vehicles at a range of 350 meters, and can engage larger stationary targets up to 600 meters away.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eurokompozit.mk/product/en/rocket-launcher-rbr-90-mm-m79-osa/ |title=Rocket launcher RBR 90 mm M79 - OSA &#124; EUROKOMPOZIT |access-date=7 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830021156/http://www.eurokompozit.mk/product/en/rocket-launcher-rbr-90-mm-m79-osa/ |archive-date=30 August 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On impact a [[piezoelectric]] impact fuse in the rocket triggers the [[shaped charge]] warhead, which can penetrate up to 400 millimeters of armour. The fuse is sensitive enough to trigger the warhead at impact angles up to 70 degrees from the vertical. After firing, the spent rocket container is removed from the launcher, and a fresh tube is attached.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.eurokompozit.mk/product/en/rocket-launcher-rbr-90-mm-m79-osa/ |title=Rocket launcher RBR 90 mm M79 - OSA &#124; EUROKOMPOZIT |access-date=7 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830021156/http://www.eurokompozit.mk/product/en/rocket-launcher-rbr-90-mm-m79-osa/ |archive-date=30 August 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Operational history ==
The M79 Osa was designed and manufactured by [[Sloboda (defense company)|Sloboda]] in the former Yugoslavia. It has continued production in Serbia, [[North Macedonia]], and in Croatia (as the '''RL90 M95''').

A large number of M79 OSA rocket launchers were supplied to [[Syrian civil war|rebels in Syria]] which proved effective in deterring the Syrian Army's armor.  Many mistook the M79 supplied to the rebels in Syria for the Russian [[RPG-29]] rocket launcher, which also saw use.<ref>[http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/25/weapons-from-the-former-yugoslavia-spread-through-syrias-war/ "Weapons from former Yugoslavia Spread Through Syria's War] ''New York Times'' 7 May 2013.</ref> M79 Osas were also used in Iraq by [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] against Iraqi army and [[Jane's Information Group|JANES]] reported their use against US-made [[M1A1 Abrams]] tanks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/39550/iraqi-abrams-losses-revealed|title=Janes &#124; Latest defence and security news}}</ref>

In September 2014, the [[Houthi movement]] seized [[Sanaa]], the capital city of Yemen, and in March 2015 the Saudi coalition launched an all out war on them all over Yemen.  A large stockpile of M79 Osa rocket launchers and rockets were found in Yemeni military weapons depots. All sides of the conflict have used the M79 since 2015.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

==Operators==
[[File:M79 operators.png|thumb|400px|Map with M79 operators in blue and former operators in red]]

===Current operators===
* {{BIH}}
* {{CRO}} (RL90 M95)
* {{MKD}}
* {{MNE}}
* {{SRB}}
* {{SYR}}<ref>[https://twitter.com/Zinvor/status/695672736383774720?t=0YJdEX9z4Ts0Kr2rWLDMxA&s=19 M79 Osa captured by Syrian Army in Atman, Daraa. One of the first foreign weapons smuggled by Saudis to rebels.]</ref>
* {{YEM}}

===Non state operators===
* {{flagicon|Syria|1932}} [[Free Syrian Army]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8vjo1ARdlU|title = - YouTube|website = [[YouTube]]}}</ref>
*{{flagicon image|Flag of Ahrar ash-Sham.svg}} [[Ahrar al-Sham]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7inNweXwA8QsmX.jpg|title=T-72 was destroyed by Ahrar Al-Sham using a M79 Osa. Jobar|date=22 March 2017|website=SLM|access-date=22 March 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|ISIS}} [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]]<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Lister |first=Charles |user=Charles_Lister |number=521743838264975361 |date=13 October 2014 |title=Latest ISIS imagery from #Diyala,#Iraq shows an M79 Osa - originally provided to FSA rebels in #Syria by Saudi: http://t.co/OfDEJeIcPB |language=en |access-date=27 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914103427/https://twitter.com/Charles_Lister/status/521743838264975361 |archive-date=14 September 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* {{noflag}}[[Kurdistan Workers' Party]]<ref>{{Cite web  |title=First time for pkk to use a M-79 OSA targeting Turkish security in Silopi town, Sirnak |date=12 April 2016|url=http://turkey.liveuamap.com/en/2016/11-april-first-time-for-pkk-to-use-a-m79-osa-targetting-turkish }}</ref>

===Former operators===
* {{flag|Yugoslavia}}
* {{flag|Slovenia}}

==See also==
* [[Alcotán-100]]
* [[Sloboda Čačak]]

==References==
* ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2005-2006''
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190830021156/http://www.eurokompozit.mk/product/en/rocket-launcher-rbr-90-mm-m79-osa/ Eurokompozit: RBR-90mm M79]

{{Military Technical Institute Belgrade}}

[[Category:Anti-tank rockets]]
[[Category:Military equipment of Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
[[Category:Weapons of Yugoslavia]]
[[Category:Military Technical Institute Belgrade]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1970s]]