[2] In the early 1980s, Luchaire's sales department had noted the rising costs of light individual anti-armour/assault weapons were to the point that fewer and fewer could be purchased and that there was a need for a one-man anti-armor/assault weapon which could be purchased for a cost slightly higher than that of a rifle grenade, but with the greater accuracy and ease of use of a one-man rocket launcher[citation needed] The world export markets was the major considerations behind the development of the Wasp 58 by Luchaire.
On ignition the propellant fires the 58-mm projectile forward while at the same time ejecting a counter mass of plastic chips to the rear to achieve a recoilless effect.
[2] The plastic chips due to their size and weight lose any velocity after 1 metre of travel from the back of the launcher.
This enables it to be fired from enclosed spaces, including from small rooms in buildings, and protects the user from having his position revealed.
The Wasp 58's HEAT antiarmour warhead is 58-mm in diameter and is based on the Grenade à fusil antichar de 58 mm Mle F1 PAB rifle grenade's warhead, also designed and manufactured by Luchaire and in service with the French military and other armies worldwide.