Breda Folgore The Folgore ( " Thunderbolt " ) is an Italian 80 mm recoilless anti - tank weapon developed and manufactured by Breda Meccanica Bresciana . It weighs 18 . 9 kilograms ( with bipod ) and 25 . 6 kilograms ( with tripod ) . Development of the Folgore started in 1974 and it was adopted by the Italian Army in 1986 . Over 800 Folgores had been produced by 2001 . Description . The Folgore ' s launcher is a recoilless rifle that fires a " boost - after - launch " rocket projectile . It consists of a long , reusable launch tube constructed of high strength nickel - cobalt - steel . The use of nickel - cobalt - steel not only keeps the weight at a reasonable level , but also enables the firing of projectiles at a much higher velocity , than other weapons previously in its class . To load the Folgore , the nozzle clamp has to be released and tilted to the side to insert the ammunition . The cartridge case is perforated with holes along its sides to allow gases to escape to the back and out of the nozzle on firing to achieve a recoilless effect . One kilogram of propellant in the cartridge case is used to fire the projectile . After the projectile exits the muzzle , six fins snap into place . The fins are canted slightly to impart spin . After the projectile has coasted a safe distance a rocket motor ignites , boosting the projectile from 385 m / s to 500 m / s , giving the projectile an almost flat trajectory to 500 m . Operation . The Folgore can be operated in two configurations . The first is as a shoulder fired weapon , where it has a maximum effective range of 500 meters . The other and more commonly used configuration when the Folgore began production in the 1980s is with the weapon mounted on a bipod or tripod with a coincidence type of range finder by Officine Galileo , which imposes a blinking light dot in the gunners sight , showing the gunner the time of flight and the aim point and the true impact point , similar to the type developed for the early Swedish Carl Gustav . Today there are many laser rangefinders offered by various firms for even greater accuracy at longer ranges . This configuration requires a two - man crew and allows effective fire at ranges up to 1 , 000 meters . The weapon is fitted with a 5x scope , a night vision sight can also be mounted . The Folgore is a very accurate weapon . A skilled team can fire one round every 15 seconds , but this rate of fire can only be maintained for two minutes before overheating the tube . Ammunition . The HEAT round has a muzzle velocity of 385 m / s and reaches a maximum velocity of 500 m / s with its rocket propulsion . The HEAT rocket has a flight time of only three seconds to a range of 1 , 000 meters . Maximum trajectory height is 2 . 2 meters at 500 meters and less than three meters at 700 meters . The accuracy and high velocity give the Folgore a long effective range in comparison to similar systems . The HEAT warhead is filled with composition - B . The 5 . 2 - kilogram HEAT round penetrates over 450 mm of RHA ( rolled homogeneous armor ) , which is not enough to defeat the frontal armor of modern tanks or most ERA ( explosive reactve armor ) - protected armored surfaces . It is , however , useful as an assault support weapon against bunkers and sandbag emplacements and any armored vehicle other than a main battle tank . Users . The only known current user is Italy .