Saab Secures $16 Million CARL-GUSTAF Order for Delivery in 2020
Saab recently received an order valued at SEK145 million ($16 million) from the US Department of Defense (DoD) for ammunition for the CARL-GUSTAF man-portable weapon system.
Known in the US as the M3 Multi-role, Anti-armour, Anti-personnel Weapon System (MAAWS), is placed under the terms of contract H92222-14-D-0008 originally announced by the DoD the system is in widespread use in US forces. The order, under the auspices of a five year contract originally placed in 2014, calls for delivery of multiple munitions types in 2020.
“We are pleased to see that the DoD keeps investing in the CARL-GUSTAF system, and we are proud to provide them with our world-leading CARL-GUSTAF ammunition. It is clear evidence of the customer’s trust in us and in the capabilities of our products,” commented Senior Vice President and head of Saab’s business area Dynamics, Görgen Johansson.
“With the system now also being fielded in greater numbers to light infantry units in multiple theatres, the mission flexibility provided by multiple munition types available to the operator are delivering great agility and capability to the warfighter,” added President and CEO of Saab Defense and Security USA, Erik Smith.
The CARL-GUSTAF 84-mm recoilless rifle is a combat-proven system capable of operating in demanding environments that provides soldiers with a clear overmatch capability needed to dominate in the battlespace. The system has been regularly modernised and enhanced to meet users’ changing needs. The latest version, the M4 (designated M3E1 in the US), reduces the launcher weight from 10 kg to less than 7 kg, among several other improvements.
Employing a wide range of ammunition types, the CARL-GUSTAF system allows soldiers to defeat multiple threat types; from neutralising armoured vehicles to clearing obstacles and structures.