Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle
Carl-Gustaf 84 mm Recoilless Rifle | |
---|---|
Type | Shoulder-fired recoilless rifle (crew-served multi-role infantry support gun)[1][2][3][4] |
Place of origin | Sweden |
Service history | |
In service | 1948–present |
Used by | See Users |
Wars | See Wars |
Production history | |
Designer | Hugo Abramson, Sigfrid Akselson and Harald Jentzen |
Designed | |
Manufacturer | Saab Bofors Dynamics (formerly Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori), Howa (license)[7][8] |
Unit cost |
|
Specifications | |
Mass | M2: 14.2 kg (31 lb)[10] M3: 10 kg (22 lb)[10] M4/M3E1: 6.6 kg (15 lb) |
Length | (M2) 1,130 mm (44 in)[10] (M4/M3E1) 950 mm (37 in) |
Crew | Two (gunner and loader), but may be used by a single operator at a reduced rate of fire. |
Cartridge | 84 × 245 mm R RCL[11] |
Caliber | 84 mm (3.31 in) |
Action | Recoilless, single-shot, breechloader, laterally, percussion fired[12] |
Rate of fire | 6 rounds per minute |
Muzzle velocity | 230–255 m/s (750–840 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | |
Feed system | Hinged breech |
Sights | Open (iron) sights; optical 3× laser rangefinder; image intensification system |
The Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle (Swedish pronunciation: [kɑːɭ ˈɡɵ̂sːtav], named after Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori, which initially produced it) is a Swedish-developed 84 mm (3.3 in) caliber shoulder-fired recoilless rifle, initially developed by the Royal Swedish Army Materiel Administration during the second half of the 1940s as a crew-served man-portable infantry support gun for close-range multi-role anti-armour, anti-personnel, battlefield illumination, smoke screening and marking fire,[1] which has seen great export success around the globe and continues to be a popular multi-purpose support weapon in use by many nations. The Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless rifle is a lightweight, low-cost weapon that uses a wide range of ammunition, which makes it extremely flexible and suitable for a wide variety of roles.
Development of the initial model started from 1946 as one of the many recoilless rifle designs of that era, based on the experience from the earlier Carl Gustaf 20 mm recoilless rifle and the success of man-portable rocket launchers during World War II, such as the bazooka and Panzerschreck. Production of the initial model was handled by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori led by Försvarets Fabriksverk (FFV) and the weapon received the designation 8,4 cm granatgevär m/48, (8,4 cm grg m/48 – "8,4 cm grenade rifle", model 1948) in Swedish service. FFV would continue to further develop the weapon for the international market, later being merged into Saab Bofors Dynamics which handles development and export today. While similar weapons have generally disappeared from service, the Carl Gustaf is still in production and remains in widespread use today.
Name
[edit]The weapon goes under many names around the globe. It is most frequently called the "Carl Gustaf" or similar for short. British troops, for example, refer to it as the "Charlie G", while Canadian troops often refer to it as "Carl G".[14] In Australia, it is irreverently known as "Charlie Gutsache" (guts ache, meaning stomach pain), or "Charlie Swede".[14]
In US military service, it is officially known as the M3 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System (MAAWS) or Ranger Antitank Weapons System (RAWS), but is often simply called the "M3 Carl Gustaf" or just "Gustaf".[14]
In Swedish military service, it is officially known as the 8,4 cm granatgevär m/48, m/86 and m/18, depending on the model (M1, M3, M4), but is often simply referred to as the "GRG" (gé-er-gé) after their type designation abbreviation (from granatgevär, meaning "grenade rifle"), since all models fire the same general ammunition and are used in much the same way (although the 84 mm grg m/18 can use programmable and guided ammunition).[15]
Description
[edit]The basic weapon consists of the main tube with the breech-mounted Venturi recoil damper, with two grips near the front and a shoulder mount. The weapon is fitted with iron sights, but is normally aimed with the attached 3× optical sight with a 17 degree (300 mil) field of view. The most modern variants fielded by Swedish rifle companies have been fitted with the Swedish Aimpoint sighting system. Luminous front and rear sight inserts are available for the iron sights when aiming at night, and an image intensification system may also be used.
The Gustaf can be fired from the standing, kneeling, sitting or prone positions, and a bipod may be attached in front of the shoulder piece. An operating handle called the "Venturi lock" is used to move the hinged breech to one side for reloading.
Operation
[edit]The weapon is normally operated by a two-man crew, a gunner who carries and fires the weapon and a loader, carrying two canisters for a total of four rounds of ammunition. One or two extra ammunition carriers can be assigned if heavy use is expected. In the firing procedure it is the loader's responsibility to check the area behind the weapon for people and for obstacles that can interfere with the back-blast; this is needed due to the inherent dangers of the back-blast. Any person within the back-blast cone can suffer severe burn injuries and solid objects closely behind can reflect the blast back onto the crew.
Safety precautions
[edit]The overpressure, or blast wave, generated by the Gustaf will cause blast- and burn-related injuries to those behind the weapon, and is dangerous to 30 metres (100 ft)[13] and hazardous to about 50 to 75 metres (160 to 250 ft).[10] Repeatedly firing the Gustaf can also cause related shock wave injuries to gunners and those nearby.[16][17][18]
Gunners are only allowed to fire six rounds a day during training.[19] The assistant gunners would also often move away from the overpressure zone, so that they too can fire six rounds a day.[19] Sweden, the first user of Carl-Gustaf, has the regulation that both gunner and assistant gunner are allowed to have 20 full-caliber rounds each day.[20]
Development history
[edit]1946 – M1 in Sweden (8,4 cm grg m/48)
[edit]The Carl Gustaf M1 was developed around 1946 by Hugo Abramson and Harald Jentzen at the Royal Swedish Army Materiel Administration (Kungliga Arméförvaltningens Tygavdelning) and produced at Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori from where it derives its name. Development of the weapons system was preceded by a line of other recoilless developments between 1940 and 1946, featuring relatively small-bore ammunition:
- Carl Gustaf 20 mm recoilless rifle – 1942 (Swedish designation: 20 mm pansarvärnsgevär m/42)[21]
- Carl Gustaf 37 mm recoilless rifle – 1943 (Swedish designation: 37 mm granatgevär fm/43)[21]
- Carl Gustaf 47 mm recoilless rifle – 1945 (Swedish designation: 47 mm granatgevär fm/45)[22]
- Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless rifle – 1948 (Swedish designation: 84 mm granatgevär m/48)
Despite advances in recoilless rifle technology introduced by the development family, it was quickly discovered that small-bore solid steel penetrators were obsolete for shoulder-fired antitank weapons, thus caliber was gradually increased to focus on multirole shell-type ammunition and the recent advances in shaped charge projectiles. By 1946 a caliber of 84 mm was decided upon (although larger calibers were proposed and tested).[23]
The 84 mm weapon was first introduced into Swedish service in 1948 as the 8,4 cm granatgevär m/48, filling a similar role as the US Army's bazooka, British PIAT and German Panzerschreck, albeit with a higher focus on multirole and fire support than pure anti-tank warfare. Unlike the aforementioned weapons, however, the 84 mm Carl Gustaf used a rifled barrel for spin-stabilising its rounds, as opposed to fins used by the other systems. Sweden did, however, also adopt a true man-portable anti-tank system around the same time, the 8 cm raketgevär m/49 (fixed) and 8 cm raketgevär m/51 (foldable) rocket launchers, only featuring anti-tank ammunition.[11]
The use of the recoilless firing system allowed the Gustaf to use ammunition containing considerably more propellant, firing its rounds at 290 m/s (950 ft/s), as opposed to about 105 m/s (340 ft/s) for the Panzerschreck and bazooka and about 75 m/s (250 ft/s) for the PIAT. The result was superior accuracy at longer ranges. The Gustaf can be used to attack larger stationary targets at up to 700 m (2,300 ft), but the relatively low speed of the projectile restricts attacks on moving targets to a range of 400 m (1,300 ft) or less.[citation needed]
The Gustaf was soon sold around the world and became one of the primary squad-level anti-tank weapons for many West European armies.[citation needed]
1964 – M2 export
[edit]The Carl Gustaf M2 was introduced in 1964 as an improved, lighter and slightly shorter version of the original M1 for the export market. It quickly replaced the original version.
1986 – M3 in Sweden (8,4 cm grg m/86)
[edit]The Carl Gustaf M3 started development in the 1980s and initially entered service with the Swedish Armed Forces as the 8,4 cm granatgevär m/86 ("8,4 cm grenade rifle", model 1986). While similar to the export M3, it shares some spare parts with the original 1948 M1 model.[15] It reduced the weight even further by replacing the forged steel tube with a thin steel liner containing the rifling, strengthened by a carbon fibre outer sleeve. The external steel parts were also replaced with plastics and aluminium alloys.
1991 – M3 export
[edit]The current export Carl-Gustaf M3 version was introduced in 1991. In recent years, the M3 has found new life in a variety of roles. The British Special Air Service, United States Army Special Forces and United States Army Rangers use M3s in bunker-busting and anti-vehicle roles. Many armies continue to use it as a viable anti-armour weapon, especially against 1950s- and 1960s-era tanks and other armoured vehicles still in use worldwide.[citation needed]
2011 – M3 in US (M3 MAAWS)
[edit]In the late 1980s, the US Army sought to replace the M67 recoilless rifle in use by the 75th Ranger Regiment. Testing by the army's Benét Laboratories in 1993 determined that the Carl Gustaf M3 had a service lifetime more than four times the contractor's claims, which drew interest from the US Navy, and a joint services team moved forward with a purchase order under the US military designation MAAWS (Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System) M3.[24]
The MAAWS M3 is primarily used by United States Special Operations Command such as the Army Rangers, Army Special Forces, Marine Raiders, Navy SEALs, and JSOC operators. When used by the Rangers, the M3 may be referred to as the Ranger Anti-tank Weapons System (RAWS).[citation needed]
Army Rangers found the M3 was best employed using a two-man team. One person would carry the launcher and be armed with a pistol for personal protection, and the other would carry 5–6 rounds of ammunition and act as a spotter for the gunner. Although the single-shot AT4 is lighter and can be carried by one person, a Gustaf team with the heavier recoilless rifle can reload and fire more rounds.[25][relevant?]
The M3 MAAWS fires the following ammunition:[citation needed]
- High explosive (HE 441/441B) round
- High-explosive anti-tank (HEAT/751) round
- High-explosive anti-tank – rocket-assisted projectile (HEAT-RAP/551) round
- High-explosive dual-purpose (HEDP/502) round
- Area defense munition (ADM/401) round
- Anti-structure munition (ASM/509) round
- Smoke (Smk/469) round
- Illumination (Illum/545) round
- Target practice, tracer(TPT/141) round
- Target practice rocket-assisted projectile (TP RAP/551) round[relevant?]
2014 – M4 export
[edit]While the M3 MAAWS provided enhanced effectiveness over other launchers, its 9.5 kg (21 lb) weight burdened troops. On 28 March 2013, USSOCOM announced a call for sources to develop a kit to lighten the weapon and reduce overall length without affecting handling or ruggedness. Saab was already developing a weight-reduced version that demonstrated no decrease in performance, no increase in recoil, and nearly equivalent barrel life that could be ready for testing in 2014. Saab also developed a high-explosive round that has a direct fire range of 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) when using a fire control system.[26]
Compared to the M3 MAAWS, the M4 is 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) lighter at 6.6 kg (15 lb), and shorter with a 950 mm (37 in) overall length. The shorter length was in response to the need to wield the weapon in urban terrain, and weight savings were achieved through using lighter components whenever possible including a carbon fibre tube with titanium liner, and a new venturi design. Other new features include a red-dot sight, a travel safety catch to allow the M4 to be carried while loaded, an adjustable shoulder rest and forward grip for improved ergonomics, a shot counter to keep track of how many rounds have been fired to manage the weapon's 1,000-round barrel life,[27] double that of the M3,[28][29] picatinny rails for grips and sight mounts, and a remote round management function so intelligent sights can communicate with programmable rounds.[30][31]
2017 – M4 in US (M3E1 MAAWS)
[edit]Following its reveal in 2014, the US Defense Department evaluated the M4[32] and in 2017 it was qualified for purchase by all US military services.[33]
The US version of the M4 became known domestically as the M3E1 MAAWS. By using titanium, it is more than 2.7 kilograms (6 lb) lighter than the 2014 M4 and is also 64 millimetres (2.5 in) shorter. It has an improved carrying handle, shoulder padding and a sighting system that can be adjusted for better comfort. The wiring harness provides a foregrip controller and programmable fuze setter for an interchangeable fire control system. The M3E1 uses the same family of ammunition as the M3. In 2017, the US Army ordered 1,111 units[34] and the US Marine Corps planned to procure 1,200 to issue one to each infantry squad. The Marines were also considering it to replace the Mk 153 SMAW in combat engineer squads.[35]
In April 2019, a contract of SEK 168 million (US$18.1 million) was approved to supply the Australian Army with ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf M4 84 mm multipurpose weapon systems ordered by the service in September 2018.[36]
2018 – M4 in Sweden (8,4 cm grg m/18)
[edit]In 2018 the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Swedish: Försvarets materielverk, FMV) signed a contract with Saab to purchase the Carl Gustaf M4 as the 8,4 cm granatgevär m/18 ("8,4 cm grenade rifle", model 2018),[15] often written without the "m/" to distinguish it from older m/18 (model 1918) systems (8,4 cm granatgevär 18, abbr. 8,4 cm grg 18).[37] The M4 will replace the old M1 models (8,4 cm grg m/48) models still in service as some units are pushing 70+ years in service.[37] The 8,4 cm grg 18 will feature an advanced laser rangefinder and will be acquired with new programmable ammunition (preliminary name HE 448), and a new, improved HEAT shell.[37]
2024 – M4 in India
[edit]Saab announced in September 2022 that it would establish a manufacturing facility to produce the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons system in India. It will be the company's first facility producing the M4 system outside Sweden. The facility is expected to open in 2024 and will produce weapons for the Indian Armed Forces as well as export components to users worldwide.[38][39] Construction of the facility started on 4 March 2024.[40] Previous versions of the Carl Gustaf system have been in service with India since 1976.[41]
Combat history
[edit]1961–1964: Congo Crisis
[edit]As part of the Congo Crisis 1960–1965, Swedish troops were sent to Congo as ONUC peacekeepers in mid- to late 1960. They initially lacked any heavy weaponry, but due to rising threat levels they received tgb m/42 KP infantry fighting vehicles and heavy weaponry such as the M1 Carl Gustaf in time for the violent fighting in Elisabethville in 1961.[42][43]
The weapon proved its worth as a man-portable multi-purpose weapon and came to great use during the conflict. One famous incident happened on 14 September 1961, when Swedish soldier Torsten Stålnacke, then part of a M1 Carl-Gustaf squad, had his two squadmates shocked in connection with repelling a Gendarmerie armoured car attack on a refugee camp and their nearby depot, forcing him to operate the M1 on his own. Stålnacke advanced by himself against an enemy firing position, meanwhile managing to take out an enemy armoured car and a number of enemies before his jaw was shot to pieces.[44][45] His chin hung down to his chest and he was suffocating. With his fingers he cleared the throat from bone fragments and pulled the tongue up, thereby able to breath again. During the retreat, and with whistling bullets around him, Stålnacke kept his chin up with one hand and held the M1 with the other and managed with hand gestures and kicks get his two badly shocked comrades with him from the battlefield.[46]
2011–2021: War in Afghanistan
[edit]In November 2011, the US Army began ordering the M3 MAAWS for regular units deployed in Afghanistan. Soldiers were being engaged with RPGs at 900 meters, while their light weapons had effective ranges of 500–600 meters. The Gustaf allows airburst capability of troops in defilade out to 1,250 meters, and high-explosive use out to 1,300 meters.[26]
In late 2012, the Army fielded 58 M3s and 1,500 rounds of ammunition to units deployed to Afghanistan to destroy enemy targets out to 1,000 meters. This was because RPG and machine gun teams could attack 900 meters away, while existing weaponry such as the M141 Bunker Defeat Munition, M72 LAW, M136 AT4, and MK153 SMAW have effective ranges of only 500 meters. The AT4 is lighter and cheaper but is made of reinforced fiberglass, while the M3's rifled metal/carbon fiber launch tube allows for reloading. Employing the 22 lb M3 is easier than the 50 lb FGM-148 Javelin with its launcher with missile and reusable command launch unit, is faster than waiting on mortars, and is cheaper than the Javelin and artillery shells for engaging targets in hard cover.[24] Although Special Operations forces had been using the M3 since the early 1990s, light infantry unit commanders in Afghanistan had to submit operational needs statements to get the weapon. The M3 became an official Program of Record in the conventional Army in 2014, and a conditional materiel release was authorized in late 2015 to equip all brigade combat teams with one M3 launcher per infantry platoon.[47]
2022–: Russian invasion of Ukraine
[edit]Since 2022, the Carl Gustaf has been used in combat in the Russian invasion of Ukraine by Ukrainian forces, being used to target both tanks and infantry. According to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, a Carl Gustaf was used to destroy the first Russian T-90M main battle tank of the war.[48][49][50]
Ammunition
[edit]The Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless gun fires a 84 × 245 mm rimmed recoilless (84×245R RCL) cartridge with a blowout base for propellant gas ventilation.[11] Ammunition initially consisted of high-explosive (HE), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), airburst (HE-TF) and smoke shells, not counting target-practice (TP) ammunition, but improvements to the ammunition family have been continual. While the older HEAT rounds are not particularly effective against modern tank armor, the weapon has found new life as a bunker-buster with a high-explosive dual-purpose (HEDP) round. Also, improved HEAT, high-explosive (HE), smoke and illumination (star shell or flare) ammunition is also available. For full effectiveness, illumination rounds must be fired at a very high angle, creating a danger for the gunner who can be burned from the backblast. For this reason, several armies have retired the illumination rounds, while the US Army requires that they be fired from a standing position. AEI Systems Ltd., a British defence products manufacturer, offers a variant of the platform dubbed the AE84-RCL designed to fire the M540/M550 line of 84×245 mm R ammunition manufactured in Belgium by Mecar.[51]
Note that the following are the Swedish manufacturer designations (other countries use similar terminology, replacing the FFV Försvarets Fabriksverk)
- FFV401 is an Area Defence Munition designed as a close-range anti-personnel round. It fires 1100 flechettes over a wide area.[52]
- FFV441 is an HE round, useful in a "lobbed" trajectory to 1,000 m, which can be fused to either detonate on impact or as an airburst.
- FFV441B is an HE round with an effective range against personnel in the open of 1,100 m. The round arms after 20 to 70 m of flight, weighs 3.1 kg, and is fired at a muzzle velocity of 255 m/s.[53]
- FFV469 is a smoke round fired like the FFV441, with a range of about 1,300 m. The 3.1 kg round is also fired at 255 m/s.[53]
- FFV502 is an HEDP round with the ability to be set to detonate on either impact or one-tenth second later. Effective range is 1,000 m against dispersed soft targets such as infantry in the open, 500 m against stationary targets and 300 m against moving targets. Minimum range is 15 to 40 m to arm the warhead. Penetration exceeds 150 mm of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA). Ammunition weight is 3.3 kg and muzzle velocity is 230 m/s.[53]
- FFV509 is an ASM (Anti-Structure Munition), designed especially to destroy buildings and other types of urban constructions. The fuse has two modes: impact or a delayed function. The muzzle velocity is approximately 170 m/s and the maximum effective range is 300 meters.[54][55]
- FFV545 is an illuminating star shell, fired up to 2,300 m maximum range, but with an effective envelope of 300 to 2,100 m. Suspended by parachute, the star shell burns for 30 seconds while producing 650,000 candela, providing a 400 to 500 m diameter area of illumination.
- FFV551 is the primary HEAT round and is a rocket-assisted projectile (RAP). Effective range is up to 700 m (400 m against moving targets) and penetration up to 400 mm of RHA. The ammunition weighs 3.2 kg and has a muzzle velocity of 255 m/s. After rocket ignition, the maximum velocity at 500 meters is 330 m/s.[53][54]
- FFV552 is a practice round with the same ballistics as the 551.
- FFV651 is a newer HEAT round using mid-flight rocket assistance for ranges up to 1,000m. In theory, it has less penetration than the FFV551, but it includes a stand-off probe for the fuse to improve performance against reactive armour.
- HEAT 655 CS (Confined Spaces) "high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round that can be fired by the 84 mm Carl Gustaf recoilless weapon from within small enclosures."[55][56]
- FFV751 is a tandem-warhead HEAT round with an effective range of 500 m and ability to penetrate more than 500 mm of armour. The round weighs 3.8 kg and has a muzzle velocity of 210m/s, while maximum velocity after rocket ignition is 340m/s.[57]
- FFV756 is an MT (Multi Target) ammunition, designed for combat in built-up areas and for incapacitating an enemy under cover inside a building or some type of fortification. The MT 756 uses a tandem charge.[55]
- Guided Multipurpose Munition (GMM) is a laser guided projectile developed between Saab and Raytheon, featuring a multipurpose warhead capable of defeating bunkers and moving light armored vehicles at a range of 2,500 m and can be fired from enclosed spaces.
Comparison to similar weapons
[edit]Origin | Weapon | Diameter (mm) | Muzzle velocity (m/s) | HEAT Warhead (kg) | Armor penetration (est.) (mm) | Effective range (m) | Sight | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sweden | M3-E1 Carl Gustaf | 84 | 310 | 1 |
.70 | 400 | 450 | 2× |
United States | M67 recoilless rifle | 90 | 213 | 3 |
.06 | 350 | 400 | 3× |
France | LRAC F1 | 89 | 300 | 2 |
.20 | 400 | 600 | N/A |
Soviet Union | RPG-7 with PG-7VS grenade | 72 | 140 | 2 |
.0 | 400 | 500 | 2.7× |
Israel | B-300 | 82 | 280 | 3 |
.0 | 400 | 400 | N/A |
China | PF-98 | 120 | 310 | 7 |
.91 | 800 | 800 | 4× |
Sweden | Pansarvärnspjäs 1110 | 90 | 700 | 10 | 800 | 900 | N/A |
Users
[edit]The following is a list of countries and regions which use the Carl Gustaf in their armed forces, with the variant(s) included when confirmed in sources.
- Argentina[59][60]
- Australia:[61] Use of the M2 has been succeeded by the M3, with the M4 on order as of 2010.[62]
- Austria[61]
- Bangladesh[63]
- Belgium[64]
- Belize[61]
- Botswana[61]
- Brazil[61]
- Burkina Faso[61]
- Canada[61]
- Colombia:[65] M3 variant
- Chile[66]
- Czech Republic[67]
- Denmark:[61] Variants are officially called M/65, M/79 and M/85 based on their year of introduction.[68][69] The M4 was ordered for delivery in 2022.[70] All variants have commonly been referred to as Dysekanon (lit. nozzle cannon) in the Danish army.
- Estonia: M3, M4 variants. Previously used M2s which were phased out with the purchase of 250 M4s in 2021.[71][72]
- Germany[64] The Bundeswehr maintains a small number of M2s for battlefield illumination.[citation needed]
- Ghana[61]
- Greece[73]
- Hungary: M4
- Honduras[61]
- India:[61] The country's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed a prototype of a lighter version using composites.[74][unreliable source?][relevant?]
- Indonesia: Used by the Kopaska and Kopassus special forces.[75]
- Ireland: Issued to specialist units such as the Army Ranger Wing (ARW).[61]
- Israel[61]
- Japan: M2 called "84 mm Recoilless Rifle",[8] M3 called "multi-purpose gun" (多用途ガン)'
- Kenya[61]
- Kurdistan: The standing military had 43 launchers and +1,000 projectiles as of 2015.[76][77]
- Kuwait[78]
- Latvia: M4 on order.[citation needed]
- Libya[61]
- Lithuania: M2, M3 and M4.[79][80]
- Malaysia: M2 and M3 in service. 110 units of M4 variant ordered in 2021.[81][61]
- Myanmar: Used by divisional heavy weapon companies for counter-insurgency campaigns.[82] Clones made as BA-84(MA-84) MK and MK-II.
- Nepal[61]
- New Zealand[61]
- Nigeria[61]
- Norway: M2, M3, M4[83]
- Poland: Used by special forces.[84] In 2024, over 6,000 M4 variants were ordered with large stocks of ammunition.[85]
- Portugal: M2 and M3 variants used by Portuguese Army and Portuguese Marine Corps.[86][87]
- Saudi Arabia[88]
- Serbia[89]
- Sierra Leone[61]
- Slovakia: M3 and early adopter of M4 variant, which became operational in July 2017.[90][91]
- Sweden:[61] M2 and M3, to be replaced with M4 between 2020 and 2023.
- Thailand[61]
- Ukraine: 100 units with 2,000 rounds of ammunition donated by the Government of Canada due to the Russo-Ukrainian War.[92][93]
- United Arab Emirates[61]
- United Kingdom: M2 variant was used as the L14A1 Infantry Anti-Tank Gun[94][95] or Medium Anti-Tank Weapon[96] from the 1960s until the early 1990s, when it was replaced by LAW 80.[97][98][99] Procurement of M4 variant was announced in 2023 to replenish munitions granted to Ukraine.[100]
- United States: Used by USSOCOM, US Army Ranger battalions,[101] and some regular US Army infantry units in the War in Afghanistan.[102][103] In February 2014, the M3 MAAWS became standard-issue in army light infantry units.[104][105]
- Venezuela
- Zambia[61]
Former users
[edit]- Netherlands: The M2 was in service with the Royal Netherlands Army since 1964 and also with the Dutch Marine Corps, known as the Terugstootloze vuurmond (TLV, lit. recoilless gun) 84 mm, Carl Gustaf M-2.[106] It was replaced by the Panzerfaust 3.[107]
- Singapore: Replaced by MATADOR in 2013.[108]
Non-state actors
[edit]- Tamil Eelam: Used by the Tamil Tigers during the Final Eelam War.[109]
Wars
[edit]See also
[edit]- 55 S 55 (Finland, 1955, 55 mm, man-portable)
- M40 recoilless rifle (United States, 1955, 105 mm, tripod mounted)
- RPG-2 (USSR, 1954, man-portable)
- B-10 recoilless rifle (USSR, 1954, 82 mm, tripod mounted)
References
[edit]- ^ a b "31/127 – Arméförvaltningen, Tygavdelningen, Vapenbyrån, Serie F I, Avgångna och inkomna skrivelser ordnade efter klassifikationssystem, Volym nr 78 (Dnr 600022 – 680023: 1953): projekt 125000" [31/127 – The Swedish Army Materiel Administration, The Material Section, The Weapon Bureau, Series F I, Outgoing and incoming letters arranged according to classification system, Volume no. 78 (Dnr 600022 – 680023: 1953): project 125000] (Document) (in Swedish). Sweden: Armématerielförvaltningens arkiv via Krigsarkivet (the Royal Swedish Army Materiel Administration archive, via the Swedish Military Archive). 1953. SE/KrA/0062/D/01/008:H/F I/78.sok
.riksarkivet .se /nad?postid=Arkis+4596cd59-f4f9-4833-a155-79ec6925b1a5 - ^ "Carl-Gustaf system". saab.com. Saab Dynamics. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
The Carl-Gustaf® recoilless rifle is a man-portable, multi-role weapon system
- ^ "The Carl Gustav Recoilless Rifle - 60 years and still going strong". newatlas.com. 24 April 2009. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ "Saab, Raytheon Team To Improve Army Shoulder-Fired Weapons". defensedaily.com. 13 November 2017. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ Carl Gustaf M4, Saab, 2014, archived from the original on 30 September 2014
- ^ Saab's latest Carl Gustaf M4 system impresses customers in live fire demonstration (press release), Saab, 26 September 2014, archived from the original on 30 September 2014, retrieved 26 September 2014,
The official Carl Gustaf M4 product launch will take place at the AUSA exhibition in Washington, DC, on 13–15 Oct 2014
- ^ "84mm無反動砲「カール・グスタフ」", Right-Wing (in Japanese), JP: Sakura, archived from the original on 25 February 2010, retrieved 4 November 2009
- ^ a b Exhibition of Equipments, JP: Plala, archived from the original on 13 March 2012, retrieved 29 July 2008.
- ^ "Weapons: Carl the Better". Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ^ a b c d http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=3977 Archived 8 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine Small Arms Defense Journal. THE NEW CARL-GUSTAF M4: LIGHTER–BETTER–SMARTER. 2 June 2017
- ^ a b c AMREG A, Ammunitionsregister, Armén, 1960 års utgåva, ändringar 5-1972 (in Swedish). Stockholm, Sweden: Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). 1972.
- ^ "Chapter 2: Principles of Operation". TC 3-22.84, M3 Multi-Role, Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System (PDF). Headquarters, Department of the Army (US). 18 July 2019. pp. 2–1. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d User Handbook for the Gun, 84mm, INF, ATK, L14A1, Director of Army Equipment Policy. 1968. page 2
- ^ a b c Tucker, Spencer C. (2010). The Encyclopedia of Middle East Wars. Abc-Clio. p. 259. ISBN 9781851099481. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c "Granatgevär 8,4 cm (Grg) - Carl Gustaf m48 m86 m18". soldf.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ^ "Do U.S. Troops Risk Brain Injury When They Fire Heavy Weapons?". npr.org. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ "Pentagon Shelves Blast Gauges Meant To Detect Battlefield Brain Injuries". npr.org. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ "Blast Overpressure Is Generated From The Firing Of Weapons, And May Cause Brain Injury". sciencedaily.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ a b The Big Book of Gun Trivia: Everything you want to know, don't want to know, and don't know you need to know. By Gordon L. Rottman. Bloomsbury Publishing, 20 October 2013. Page 49
- ^ "Reglemente - Verksamhetssäkerhet – Ehv/Pv" (PDF). Swedish Armed Forces - Regulations. year 2020: 52. 26 January 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2021 – via Swedish Armed Forces.
- ^ a b "37 mm granatgevär fm/43" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "47 mm granatgevär fm/1945". Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "Carl Gustav m/42". Modern Firearms. 27 October 2010. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Saab to Supply Carl-Gustaf 84mm Recoilless Rifle System to the U.S. Army", SA defense journal, 19 June 2013, archived from the original on 4 November 2013, retrieved 19 September 2013.
- ^ Carl Gustaf Rules In America, Strategy page, 10 September 2014, archived from the original on 12 September 2014, retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ^ a b Gourley, Scott R. (22 April 2013). "SOCOM Seeks Lighter Carl Gustaf". Defense media network. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
- ^ Donald, David (15 September 2015). "Carl-Gustaf: the legend lives on [DSEI15, D1]". Janes: Latest defence and security news. Archived from the original on 7 January 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ Miner, Kevin; Kapusta, Adolf; Olsen, Kenneth (July 1998). "Failure Analysis of an 84-MM, M3, Carl Gustaf, Recoilless Rifle" (PDF). US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ O'Brien, Thomas E.; Neese, James A.; Rinaldi, Christopher S.; Corrigan, Daniel J. (December 1993). "Structural Analysis and Fatigue Test of the Ranger Anti-Armor/Anti-personnel Weapon System (RAAWS)" (PDF). US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ New Carl-Gustaf weapon system design unveiled Archived 24 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine – Military1.com, 8 October 2014
- ^ Saab Adds Capabilities In New Recoilless Rifle Archived 23 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine Aviation Week, 13 October 2014
- ^ Army, Special Operations Forces Eye Lighter, Cheaper Shoulder-Fired Weapons Archived 19 November 2014 at archive.today National Defense Magazine, 10 November 2014
- ^ Army Evaluates New Shoulder-Fired Rocket Tech Archived 23 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Kitup.Military.com, 20 October 2016
- ^ Army to rapidly procure reusable shoulder-fired weapon system Archived 8 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine Army, 8 September 2017
- ^ Marines Eye Carl Gustaf to Replace SMAW for Bunker Breaching Archived 12 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine - Military.com, 7 November 2017
- ^ Dominguez, Gabriel (11 April 2019). "Saab awarded ammunition contract for Australian Army's Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system". Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- ^ a b c "Välkänd trotjänare pensioneras och ersätts efter 70 år". Forsvarsmakten. Swedish Armed Forces. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ^ Ghoshal, Devjyot (27 September 2022). "Defence manufacturer Saab to set up new facility in India, make weapons system". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ^ "Swedish defence major Saab to make weapon system in India". The Times of India. 28 September 2022. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ^ "SAAB, The Firm Behind JAS-39 Gripen Fighter, Starts Construction Of New Carl-Gustaf Factory In India". The EurAsian Times. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (27 September 2022). "Sweden's defence company Saab will manufacture deadly Carl Gustaf anti-tank weapons in India". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ^ "Terrängbil m/42 KP". ointres.se. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ^ "Decemberstriderna i Kongo 1961". utlandsveteran.se. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ Wærn, Jonas (1980). Katanga: svensk FN-trupp i Kongo 1961-62 [Katanga: Swedish UN troops in Congo 1961-62] (in Swedish). Stockholm: Atlantis. pp. 201–204. ISBN 9174861573. SELIBR 7644335.
- ^ Löfgren, Claes J.B. (1990). Fredsknektarna: FN-svenskarna i Kongo 1960-64. Stockholm: Fischer. ISBN 91-7054-650-9. SELIBR 7596424.
- ^ Svärd, Bror Richard (18 August 2012). "Torsten Stålnacke". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
- ^ US Army Adds 84mm Recoilless Rifle to Platoon Arsenal Archived 23 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Military.com, 20 May 2016
- ^ Radio, Sveriges (11 November 2022). "Swedish weapons making a difference in Ukraine, soldier says". Sveriges Radio. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ Carlin, Maya (9 June 2023). "Ukraine Obliterates Russian Tanks With Carl Gustaf Anti-Tank Attack Weapon". Warrior Maven. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ "Tank Deathmatch: Russia's T-90M Vs. Carl Gustav Rocket Launcher (Who Wins?)". 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ AE84-RCL recoilless rifle, AEI Systems, 20 September 2013, archived from the original on 3 September 2014, retrieved 16 September 2014
- ^ "Peace group slams sale of Swedish 'meat grinder' ammunition". thelocal.se. 6 March 2011. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Worldwide Equipment Guide (1999)". 1999.
- ^ a b Direction of Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (25 March 2009). "NAVSEA SW010-AD-GTP-010. SMALL ARMS AND SPECIAL WARFARE AMMUNITION" (PDF). navytribe.com.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c "The 84 mm carl-gustaf Multi-purpose Weapon System" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- ^ "Saab reveals confined spaces capability for Carl Gustaf", Infantry Weapons, Jane's, archived from the original on 25 February 2014, retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ^ "CAT-UXO - 84mm ffv 751 projectile". cat-uxo.com. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Jane's Infantry Weapons 1984–85
- ^ "Argentina adquiere cañones sin retroceso Carl Gustaf y un radar de vigilancia terrestre". infodefensa.com. 31 August 2016. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ "Carl Gustaf, AT-4CS y fusiles Steyr HS.50 M1 para el Ejército Argentino". zona-militar.com. 27 October 2017. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Jones, Richard D. Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's; 35 ed. (27 January 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
- ^ "Direct fire support weapons land 40 phase 2". Defence Material Organisation. October 2010. Archived from the original on 10 April 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ "SALW Guide Global distribution and visual identification Bangladesh Country report" (PDF). Bonn International Center for Conversion. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Grenade", World, RU: Guns, archived from the original on 9 April 2008, retrieved 26 April 2008.
- ^ kuzel, Publicado por (26 September 2008). "Cañón Carl Gustav: El arma con la que pretendían eliminar a Chávez" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ "La II División realiza instrucción de tiro con el sistema 'Carl Gustav'". infodefensa.com. 21 December 2018. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- ^ Karl Gustaf protitanková zbraň (in Czech), CZ: Army, archived from the original on 4 March 2016, retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ^ "Dysekanon M/79", Panser værns våben (in Danish), DK: Dansk panser, archived from the original on 5 December 2008, retrieved 3 September 2012
- ^ "Dysekanon M/85", Panser værns våben (in Danish), DK: Dansk panser, archived from the original on 5 December 2008, retrieved 3 September 2012
- ^ "Denmark becomes 15th customer of Saab Carl-Gustaf M4 multirole missile system". armyrecognition.com. 5 May 2022. Archived from the original on 5 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ 84 mm tankitõrjegranaadiheitja Carl-Gustaf M2 (in Estonian), EE: Military, archived from the original on 19 December 2017, retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Estonian Defence Forces Place Order For More M4 Carl Gustafs". Overt Defense. 10 March 2021. Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ "Α-Τ CARL GUSTAF | Army gr". Archived from the original on 15 April 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ "DRDO Develops New 84 mm Lightweight Anti-Tank System". Live Fist Defence. India. 11 November 2009. Archived from the original on 19 December 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- ^ "Kopassus & Kopaska – Specijalne Postrojbe Republike Indonezije" (in Croatian). HR: Hrvatski Vojnik Magazine. Archived from the original on 22 August 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
- ^ Small Arms Survey (2015). "Trade Update: After the 'Arab Spring'" (PDF). Small Arms Survey 2015: weapons and the world (PDF). Cambridge University Press. p. 110. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
- ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routledge. p. 491. ISBN 9781857438352.
- ^ "Kuwait – SALW Guide" (PDF). salw-guide.bicc.de. Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC). Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ Prieštankinis granatsvaidis "Carl Gustaf" M2, M3 (in Lithuanian), LT: KAM, archived from the original on 31 July 2010, retrieved 2 August 2010.
- ^ "Lithuania Joins Framework Agreement on Carl-Gustaf". Saab. 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "Goose M4 Coming". 26 April 2023.
- ^ Lintner, Bertil (10 December 2012), "Svenska vapen hos Burmas arme" [Sweden sells to Burma’s army], SvD (in Swedish), SE, archived from the original on 12 December 2012, retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ^ B, Eric (15 January 2021). "Norway Orders SAAB Carl-Gustaf M4 Recoilless Rifles". The Firearm Blog. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021.
- ^ Altair, PL, archived from the original on 26 March 2010.
- ^ Defence24, PL, 6 March 2024
{{citation}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Exercício Apolo 10 no distrito de Santarém [Apolo 10 exercise in the Santarém district] (in Portuguese), PT: Operacional, archived from the original on 25 July 2011, retrieved 19 September 2010.
- ^ "Armas", Meios dos fuzileiros [Marines’ equipment] (in Portuguese), PT: Marinha, archived from the original on 5 August 2010, retrieved 19 September 2010.
- ^ Rottman, Gordon L. (1993). Armies of the Gulf War. Elite 45. Osprey Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 978-1-85532-277-6.
- ^ "Riksdagens snabbprotokoll 1992/93:124 Tisdagen den 8 juni". riksdagen.se. Archived from the original on 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ^ Launch customer for Carl-Gustaf M4 Archived 28 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine – Shephardmedia.com, 16 September 2015
- ^ Tomkins, Richard (18 July 2017). "Slovakia deploys Saab's Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon". United Press International. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- ^ Burke, Ashley (28 February 2022). "Canada to ban Russian oil imports, send anti-tank weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, says Trudeau". CBC. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022.
- ^ "Defence Minister Anand announces additional military support to Ukraine". 3 March 2022. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
- ^ Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) (1968). Army Code No. 14985, User Handbook for the Gun, 84 mm, Inf, Atk, L14A1.
- ^ Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) (1967). Army Code No. 70422, Infantry Training Volume I, Pamphlet No. 9, Part III 84-mm Infantry Anti-Tank Gun (All Arms).
- ^ Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) (1983). Army Code No. 71334, Infantry Training Volume III, Pamphlet No. 15 The 84 mm Medium Anti-Tank Weapon (All Arms).
- ^ "ROYAL MARINES DEMONSTRATE ARMY'S NEW ANTI-TANK GUN. AUGUST 1963, LITTLE ADEN, ROYAL MARINES OF 45 COMMANDO WERE DEMONSTRATING (ON BEHALF OF THE WAR OFFICE) TO SENIOR OFFICERS OF MIDDLE EAST COMMAND, ONE OF THE BRITISH ARMY'S NEW ANTI-TANK WEAPONS, THE 84MM PLATOON ANTI-TANK GUN (CARL GUSTAV). SWEDISH DESIGNED, THE CARL GUSTAV HAS GREATER ACCURACY, FASTER RATE OF FIRE AND MORE RELIABLE DISCHARGE THAN THE 3.5 INCH ROCKET LAUNCHER". Imperial War Museum. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ Owen, William F. (2007). "Light Anti-Armour Weapons: Anti-Everything?" (PDF). Asian Military Review. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
- ^ "Carl Gustav Anti Tank Weapon". ParaData. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ "UK and Sweden strengthen defence relationship as ministers sign agreement on self-propelled guns". Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ The World defense almanac 1996–97, p. 32.
- ^ Robinson, Spc Nigel (27 October 2011). "Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle". 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
- ^ "U.S. Army Orders Additional Carl-Gustaf Weapon System", Defense talk, 27 September 2012, archived from the original on 11 September 2013, retrieved 27 June 2013.
- ^ "Carl Gustaf Selected as Standard Equipment for U.S. Army Light Infantry Units", Deagel, 20 February 2014, archived from the original on 24 February 2014, retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ "US Army approves Carl Gustaf M3 MAAWS for general use", IHS Janes, 16 May 2016, archived from the original on 17 May 2016, retrieved 16 May 2016.
- ^ Handboek voor de Marinier 1978, pp. 21–53
- ^ Gmelich Meijling, J. C. (9 February 1998). "Brief staatssecretaris – Anti-tankwapens". Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- ^ "Army News – Issue No. 235" (PDF). Ministry of Defence, Singapore. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
- ^ Army, LK, archived from the original on 17 December 2011.
External links
[edit]- Saabs Bofors – manufacturer's product page
- Saab Bofors – official manufacturer's brochure
- Video of loading and firing drill for Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle
- Video of a Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle being fired
- Carl Gustaf anti-tank recoilless rifle (Sweden) – Modern Firearms
- U.S. Army Armament Research, Development & Engineering Center FCT and SOCOM Shoulder Fired Weapons May 2005