Introduced by the Swedish Army in 1946 as an anti-armour system for the small infantry unit, the M2 was one of a number of recoilless weapons introduced including the US M67 57mm gun, German Dynamit Nobel Panzerfaust PzF and PzF3 and Soviet RPGs. Bofors, however, continued over the years to expand the ammunition types offered for their weapon adding high explosive in the 1950s providing anti-material and anti-personnel capability. This was followed over time by additional types of rounds covering various missions offering the frontline soldier an individual weapon capable of addressing many different targets. Mats Fagerberg, head of marketing of Saab’s Ground Combat unit explained “the development of a range ammunition including anti-armour, anti-personnel, anti-structure/bunker-buster, multi-purpose and support rounds like smoke and illumination make it a uniquely “jack-of-all-trades” infantry weapon.” Carl-Gustaf, named for its first manufacturing site, now offers the squad an organic ability to directly respond to a wide range of combat situations and threats. Recognition of its combat utility is illustrated by its adoption by over forty militaries worldwide. These include recent fielding by Australia, for US Marine squads and Army platoons, and its effective use by Ukraine. Carl-Gustaf and its ammunition responds to the demands by small units for responsive local firepower on future battlefields, a requirement reinforced by current Russian-Ukrainian fighting. The weapons 70 year’s popularity with soldiers, Fagerberg explained, “reflects its constant improvement to keep up with threats and changing conflict anatomy while keeping backwards compatibility.” The original M2 has evolved to the current M-4 version which is both shorter and at 6.6 kg over fifty percent lighter. It exploits new technology such as advanced sight options making it significantly more accurate, with increased range and capable. Although effective with integrated iron or the Aimpoint Red-Dot sights it can fit fire controls like the Finnish Senop Electronic Optical sight with thermal imaging and ballistic adjustment that increase accuracy, range and night use. Yet, like its predecessors is remains simple to use and train on. Munitions Development Carl-Gustaf’s ammunition suite is the core to its tactical flexibility and combat value. New ammunition capabilities have been regularly fielded guarantying its contribution in the face of evolving threats. Its ten different standard ammunition types provide a hand-held infantry weapon able to take on tasks that were hitherto reserved for heavier or higher echelon units. The latest programmable fuzee and Guided munitions further expand the weapon’s applications. The M448 Programmable projectile provides impact, delayed, or proximity detonation in a single round. With the weapon loaded the gunner selects which depending on the type of target and desired effect – delay to penetrate a wall, impact for a truck, or airburst for entrenched or hidden troops. This single round can thus address many different targets at up to 1500 meters. Further range and pin-point accuracy is possible with the Guided Multipurpose Munition (GMM) developed by Saab and Raytheon. Traveling at near-supersonic speeds its semi-active laser homing seeker hits static or moving targets at over two thousand meters. The warhead penetrates fortified structures, bunkers, and light armoured vehicles. GMM can even be fired from inside a structure offering precision and range previously unavailable to the infantry squad or platoon. First demonstrated in 2018, GMM has demonstrated a perfect hit record. An added benefit of the 84mm ammunition including the GMM is that they can be also provided in a single munition using Saab’s AT-4 weapon base-line launcher. The programmable round and GMM together give a new stand-off engagement against the full range of threats. These, along with its other ammunitions, will effectively support the range of infantry missions with a weapon immediately available at the most forward unit. Carl-Gustaf also complements the often-limited numbers of long-range systems like Javelin. Plus, it lighter and has a broad target capability are A former US Marine and defence industry executive, Stephen W Miller has extensive international hands-on experience in operations, systems development, acquisition and field support, from which he derives a unique perspective on the critical nature of their connection. Feature MT 5/2022 · 25 g A guided multi-purpose munition (GMM) developed by Saab and Raytheon has been successfully demonstrated. This laser-guided projectile can precisely engage bunkers and moving vehicles to 2,500 metres range offering a new capability to the infantry team. (Photo: Saab/Raytheon)
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