Saab to produce Carl-Gustaf ammunition for the US DoD


Saab has received an ammunition order from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for the Carl-Gustaf man-portable weapon system. This order is $16 million worth and deliveries are expected for 2020.


Saab to produce Carl Gustaf ammunition for the US DoD 925 002
Carl-Gustaf ammunition at Defense and Security 2017 in Thailand (Picture source : Army Recognition)


This order implies the manufacturing of multiple ammunition types for the Carl-Gustaf 84mm recoilless rifle system also known in the U.S. Army as M3 Multi-role, Anti-armor, Anti-personnel Weapon System (MAAWS).

The M3 MAAWS is a combat-proven system capable of operating in various types of environment, providing soldiers clear overmatch capability by using lots of different types of ammunition. Therefore, this system is fielded to numbers of light infantry units. Moreover, this weapon provides a range going up to 1.700 meters to its user and can be reloaded after being used.

This recoilless rifle has also been regularly modernized and improved leading to the latest version, the Carl-Gustaf M3E1 (also known as M4), which reduces the launcher weight from 10kg to less than 7kg, among others improvements (development of smart programmable ammunition, advanced sighting systems, and expanded confined space capabilities).