Saab & Raytheon Team for Soldier Weapons Development
Raytheon and Saab are teaming up to cooperate on the development of new weapons systems for infantry forces to meet near-term US and international requirements. The companies will look into bringing new capabilities to Saab’s CARL-GUSTAF reloadable and AT4 disposable and shoulder launched weapon systems.
The CARL-GUSTAF weapons system, Program of Record (POR) in the US Army, is a world-leading weapon system within the support weapon category, having been constantly modernised and enhanced to meet users’ changing needs. The latest version, the CARL-GUSTAF M4/M3E1, reduces the weight from 10kg (22Ibs) to less than 7kg (15.5 pounds). In US military service, it is known as the M3 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System (MAAWS) or Ranger Anti-tank Weapons System (RAWS), often refered to just as the M3. It is used by USSOCOM, US Army Ranger battalions and some regular US Army infantry units. In February 2014, the M3 MAAWS was designated as a POR within the US Army and became standard-issue in Army light infantry units. In 2017, the US Army approved a requirement for 1,111 M3E1 units and field them to soldiers as part of an Urgent Material Release. In November 2017, the US Marine Corps (USMC) announced they planned to procure the M3E1 MAAWS. 1,200 M3E1s would be acquired with one fielded to every infantry squad.
Designated M136 AT4 in USMC and US Army service, beginning in early 1987, the AT4 was used in the War in Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf War, and the Iraq War. Over 300,000 have been built locally, under license by Orbital ATK.
“Working with a global technology leader like Saab will expand both our global reach and the breadth of potential solutions for US and coalition armies,” Kim Ernzen, Raytheon Land Warfare Systems Vice President, said. “Drawing from existing weapons, launchers, and sensors from the two companies’ land warfare portfolios will enable us to develop and offer advanced solutions on an accelerated timeline to meet emerging munitions needs.”
“Collaborating with Raytheon, utilising their technical and product excellence, in combination with our technology will enhance the already world-leading CARL-GUSTAF and AT4 weapon systems with additional capabilities that will even further increase the operational benefit for the end-user,” Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab business area Dynamics, concluded.
DPM
