Carl-Gustaf to become US Army Program of Record
Saab’s Carl-Gustaf man-portable weapon system is to become standard-issue to the US Army’s Light Infantry units following its selection as a Program of Record by the US Department of the Army.
The Carl-Gustaf has been in service with the US Special Operations Forces for more than 20 years, where it is designated the M3 Multi-role Anti-armour Anti-tank Weapon System (MAAWS). It will now fill a capability gap for units using disposable shoulder fired munitions.
Jonas Hjelm, president, Saab North America, said: ‘The fact that the US Army has now elected to designate Carl-Gustaf as a Program of Record, thereby enabling it to be broadly fielded to its light Infantry units speaks for itself. The Carl-Gustaf has repeatedly proven itself in the world’s most demanding environments as a versatile, powerful tool for the infantry soldier.’
Saab works to continuously modernise the system to meet future operational needs, and according to the company a lighter weight version of the Carl-Gustaf is currently under development.
Improvements are also being made to the Carl-Gustaf ammunition family with the recent release of the new 655 CS (Confined Space) high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round. This is the first in a new generation of munitions for the Carl-Gustaf designed to reduce back blast, and allow soldiers to safely employ the weapon in confined spaces, minimising the hazardous effects of traditional shoulder fired munitions.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal]()
Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal
Air 6500 Phase 1, worth AU$500 million (US$326 million), will result in a sovereign system that can provide greater situational awareness and help to defend against hostile aircraft and missiles. It will sit at the core of Australia’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence programme.
-
![Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million]()
Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million
The systems have been purchased under a special fund which has already been tapped into for the purchase of 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters worth up to €8 billion (US$8.7 billion) and thousands of Rheinmetall Caracal airmobile special operations vehicles worth €1.9 billion.
-
![Italy weighs up the challenge of its tank replacement plans]()
Italy weighs up the challenge of its tank replacement plans
The Russia–Ukraine war has continued to be the place the world’s militaries have been watching for lessons on both the EW and uncrewed front. Its conventional war aspect, however, has also been catching the attention of leaders.
-
![The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions]()
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.
