Today’s ground forces are preparing for tomorrow’s demanding missions in which combat strategies and tactics must be seamlessly implemented – from open to urban terrain and through a three-block war scenario.  Saab has extensive experience in supporting ground forces with solutions designed to meet the need for enhanced operational capabilities at a higher level of effectiveness.  A weapon’s multi-role capacity can mean the difference between combat success and failure. In 1978 during a patrol mission in a valley in Lebanon, Norwegian soldiers were attacked vigorously by armed elements from a northern site area.  They answered the fire with their rifles but the attack was intense and they had to end the skirmish using their Carl-Gustaf 84mm recoilless gun.  The highly versatile Carl-Gustaf system is a true multi-role, man-portable shoulder-fired weapon.  The system offers the soldier various types of ammunition, ranging from armour penetration and anti-personnel, to ammunition for built-up areas as well as special features like smoke and illumination.  The M3 version of the launcher features significant weight reduction and improvements for urban operations.  In Afghanistan it is used with effective fire into caves and other covered positions.

Extremely High Versatility
Several different types of ammunition allow soldiers to rapidly respond to a wide range of ground threats in all environments.  The Carl-Gustaf system is designed and suitable for a wide range of missions.  It is light and ruggedized and its multi-purpose capability provides freedom of action for the commander in all environments.  There is a suitable type of ammunition for any kind of advanced operation, making the Carl-Gustaf the true multi-mission system.  Saab received a contract from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for the delivery of 126 Carl-Gustaf man-portable weapon systems.  The combined $31.5m contract is the first from the Army and follows the Urgent Needs Statement (UNS) to support the 3/10 Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and the 82nd Airborne Division, currently deployed in Afghanistan.  Under the contract, Saab will supply 84mm recoilless rifles to help troops in effectively engaging enemy RPGs and machine gun team attacks at ranges of 900 m or beyond.  The existing weaponry, including the M141 Bunker Defeat munitions, M72 light anti-tank weapon (LAW), M136 AT-4 and the shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon (SMAW) are only effective at a range of 500 m.  The system can be used as a viable anti-armour weapon against larger stationary targets at a range of 700 m, but the relatively low speed of the projectile restricts attacks on moving targets up to 400 m or less.

Aimpoint AB, the innovator and world leader in electronic red-dot sighting technology presented at DSEi a Fire Control System for handheld and crew-served weapons. The presentation of the Aimpoint FCS12 follows after a period of intense product development and initial deliveries on a contract for the Swedish Defense Forces. Record: The Aimpoint FCS12 is a unique product on the market and development has forced Aimpoint to take a huge step in research and development in order to meet customer requirements. FCS12 implies a dramatic increase in hit probability, and reduces time used for engagement, which in turn raise the overall effectiveness of the weapon system considerably. The Aimpoint FCS12 comprises a sight module with a Laser Range Finder, a ballistic computer and a state-of-the-art heads-up display as well as a wireless remote control. Despite the advanced technology and complexity of the product, operation in a combat situation is extremely user friendly and intuitive. In most cases, the operator only needs to push one button before pulling the trigger of the weapon. (Aimpoint AB)

The Carl-Gustaf is an 84mm reusable, shoulder-fired multi-role recoilless rifle that is normally operated by a two-man crew in armour-piercing to anti-personnel operations using high explosive (HE) as well as smoke and illumination rounds.  The weapon consists of a main tube with a breech-mounted Venturi recoil damper, a shoulder mount and iron sights with the attached 3x optical sight offering a 300 mrad field of view.  The iron sights are also equipped with luminous front and rear sight inserts along with an image intensification system for aiming during night or in low visibility conditions.

The Carl-Gustaf can be fired from standing, kneeling, sitting or prone positions with a bipod attached in front of the shoulder piece and a Venturi lock to move the hinged breech for reloading.  Currently, more than 40 countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, India, UK, Sweden, Germany and Malaysia have acquired the weapon.

The M3 Carl-Gustaf 84mm recoilless rifle has long been a favorite of Special Operations Forces for its ability to destroy enemy targets out to 1,000 meters.  The Army fielded 58 M3s and 1,500 rounds of ammunition to units in Afghanistan late last year after commanders complained that their disposable AT4s were ineffective at engaging the enemy at long ranges.  It’s still unclear how many M3s and ammo the $31 million will buy.  The M3 has enjoyed success with units such as the 25th Infantry, 10th Mountain and 82nd Airborne divisions in Afghanistan.  The launcher weighs approximately 22 pounds with each round of ammunition weighing just less than 10 pounds.  There is an effort to lighten the load of the rifle by five to six pounds, Army officials say.  By comparison, the AT4 weighs about 15 pounds and the Javelin’s launcher with missile and reusable command launch unit weigh roughly 50 pounds.

If the ubiquitous Russian RPG family is removed from the picture, Sweden’s Saab Bofors Dynamics has earned a strong niche, with 2 of the most popular shoulder-fired rocket systems in the world.  Its 84mm offerings include the Carl-Gustaf/Gustaf, whose core design dates back to 1946 and whose most recent M3 version dates to 1991.  The less-expensive AT-4/M136 is also 84mm, but swaps the rifled metal/carbon fiber launch tube for cheaper reinforced fiberglass, among other changes.  Both systems offer a variety of rocket types, but the Carl-Gustaf M3’s Area Defence Munition (ADM) flechette rounds are a uniquely useful capability in infantry fights.  The U.S. military has used both weapons for some time, but until now, the Carl-Gustaf M3 Ranger Antitank Weapons System had been fielded exclusively by U.S. Special Operations units, while the M136 Lightweight Multipurpose Weapon was fielded to both U.S. SOCOM and regular U.S. Army units.

Block Buster. (Saab AB)

Multi-Role Anti-Armour/Anti-Personnel Weapon System (MAAWS)
The MAAWS, previously known as the Ranger Anti-Armour/Anti-Personnel Weapon System (RAAWS), and also known as the M3 MAAWS, is shoulder-fired, air jumpable, and swimmable 84mm recoilless rifle system.  The system is a non-developmental item consisting of the Carl-Gustaf M3 reusable recoilless rifle/launcher compatible with standard optical devices and other accessories.  The weapon weighs approximately 25 pounds and is 42 inches in length.  The system can utilize a wide variety of ammunition types including: high explosive anti-tank (HEAT), high explosive dual purpose (HEDP), high explosive (HE), smoke, and illumination rounds.  Full and subcaliber training systems are also available.  The Carl-Gustaf M3 recoilless rifle and the supporting family of ammunition were manufactured by SAAB Defense and Security.  The MAAWS is a primary anti-armour and anti-personnel weapon for U.S. Army Special Operations Command and U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command users within the U.S. Special Operations Command.  The primary mission is to defeat lightly armoured vehicles, soft skinned vehicles, personnel in the open or defilade, and field fortifications.  Secondary missions include marking threat targets with smoke for supporting weapons, obscuring threat weapons and illuminating threat targets.  It is employed by Army Rangers and Navy SEALS during special operations missions, infiltration, exfiltration, raids, ambushes and defensive operations.

The Special Operations Forces Modernization Action Plan indicated need for a Ranger Anti-Armour/Anti-Personnel Weapon System (RAAWS) to replace the M67 recoilless rifle in use by the 75th Ranger Regiment.  A market survey conducted by Headquarters, Department of the Army in 1987 indicated that the 84mm Carl-Gustaf M3 recoilless rifle, then manufactured by FFV Ordnance of Sweden, was the best candidate for satisfying the RAAWS requirement and the Special Operations Division was the Army Materiel Command focal point for coordinating the $20 million RAAWS acquisition program.  The Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) negotiated a loan agreement with FFV for nine M3 weapons for an Army Development and Employment Agency (ADEA) appraisal.  Army Materiel Command’s DCS for International Cooperative Programs provided International Materiel Evaluation funds used to purchase ammunition for the M3, including High Explosive Anti-Tank, High Explosive, Smoke, illumination, target practice, and 7.62mm ammunition for the subcaliber device for the Carl-Gustaf M3.

The U.S. Army Special Operations Agency concluded the ADEA appraisal satisfied the Operational Test requirements for RAAWS.  In July 1988, the Headquarters, Department of the Army issued a message that constituted a Department of the Army Requirements Document, after receipt of an Operational Need Statement from the 75th Ranger Regiment in May 1988, endorsed by the 1st Special Operations Command (SOCOM).  The M3 was selected as the RAAWS on 29 September 1988 from candidate proposals submitted in response to the market survey compiled by ARDEC.

A Swedish Carl-Gustaf team. (Saab AB)

The AT-4 weapon jump pack was to be used for the RAAWS.  Replacement parts for 50 of M3 weapons would be managed and stocked by USA SPSA in accord with an agreement between the Special Operations Division, Program Manager RAAWS, U.S. Army Special Operations Agency, Program/Budget/Resources Division, Logistics Support Branch, and Army Materiel Command ADCS for special operations forces.

On 4 August 1989, Major General Rigby sent a memorandum stating that Army Materiel Command would negotiate a contract to the point of award.  If the EUC was still required at that time and the signature authority was not provided, the program could not proceed.  On 15 August 1989, another memorandum was sent to the Program Manager, RAAWS granting the RAAWS Procurement Contracting Office a “onetime, non-precedence setting, authority to sign End User Certificates” for RAAWS on behalf of the Army.

A subsequent review of the contractor-supplied fatigue test data determined that this data did not meet U.S. Army requirements.  Therefore, it was determined that Benet Laboratories should conduct a fatigue test of 2 tubes in accordance with the International Test Operations Procedure (ITOP) 3-2-829 in order to establish an interim safe service life for the weapon.  Normal procedure for fatigue life testing required that the tubes be fired prior to laboratory hydraulic cycling in order to produce metallurgical damage, i.e., small cracks at the bore surface (heat checking) that initiate the fatigue process.  Since the manufacturer’s recommended life for the weapon was 500 rounds, it was decided that the 2 tubes selected for fatigue testing (Serial numbers 14002 and 14003) would each be fired with 500 rounds by FFV at the Hugelsta Proving Ground, Sweden, and then shipped to Benet Laboratories for hydraulic fatigue testing.  These rounds were not used in the calculation of the interim safe service life of the weapon because they were fired below the extreme service condition pressure.

The tests, conducted in 1993, indicated a high quality of materials and workmanship in the manufacturing process.  The stresses calculated by the finite element analysis were in close agreement with those measured in the composite jacket during testing.  These stresses were low compared to the normal tensile strength of the type of material tested.  The bore surfaces showed no indications of erosion after firing 500 rounds.  The interim fatigue life resulting from these tests was one-third of the lowest number of cycles or 2,360 rounds.  This was over 4 times the recommended life of 500 rounds.  However, if a fatigue life greater than 500 rounds was to be established, the tests recommended that 4 additional weapons (for total of 6) be tested to establish a full safe service life.

Complete compatibility between older versions of the launcher with new munition types and vice versa. For training activities, Carl-Gustaf offers sub-calibre trainers, full-calibre practice rounds and simulators to meet different training objectives such as gunnery training and combat training. A cost effective training solution can be tailored. (U.S. Army)

U.S. Navy SEAL interest in the system led to the program being moved to a Joint Integrated Product Team to manage all efforts.  The program name subsequently changed from the RAAWS to the Multi-Role Anti-Armour/Anti-Personnel Weapon System (MAAWS), to reflect the joint service nature of the system.  Tests and further evaluation were subsequently conducted to support Naval Special Warfare Command’s fielding of the MAAWS.

A Picatinny Fire Control Device (PFCD) was also developed for the MAAWS at the U.S. Army’s Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey for the MAAWS.  The PFCD was used as a mount for optical/night sights.  It was used to address trajectory differences between HEAT, HE, and HEDP rounds.  The PFCD contained a dual function knob that could be used to select round type and range.  The original fire control device from Bofors was a 2-cam design, which could address only the trajectories of the HEAT and HE rounds.  A second knob with a third cam was provided for the HEDP firing.  The idea of switching knobs was not favourable by the Rangers and Picatinny was tasked to design a 3-cam fire control device to replace the factory supplied unit.

The request for 126 launchers came as part of an Urgent Needs Statement from the Afghan theatre to support the efforts of the currently deployed 3/10 Brigade Combat Team and the 82nd Airborne Division, which is an on-deck unit in the OEF deployment cycle.  The UNS addresses the need to effectively engage enemy rocket propelled grenade and machine gun teams that are beyond 900 meters or fighting from hard cover.  Existing systems in the Y, S, armoury, such as the M141 Bunker Defeat Munition, M72 LAW, M136 AT-4 and the SMAW, are only effective inside of 500 meters.  The Army says the Carl-Gustaf is more effective than waiting on mortars and less expensive than artillery or Javelin missiles.

Summary
The Carl-Gustaf M3 has extremely high versatility.  A weapon’s multi-role capacity can mean the difference between combat success and failure.  The highly versatile Carl-Gustaf system is a true multi-role, man-portable shoulder-fired weapon.  The system offers the soldier various types of ammunition, ranging from armour penetration and anti-personnel, to ammunition for built-up areas as well as special features like smoke and illumination.  The M3 version of the launcher features significant weight reduction and improvements for urban operations.  Several different types of ammunition allow soldiers to rapidly respond to a wide range of ground threats in all environments.  The Carl-Gustaf M3 version represents a system that has been successively modernized and adapted to meet new requirements for a multi-role, man-portable shoulder-fired weapon.  The system is in use in over 40 countries.

Remington Modular Sniper Rifle
No single rifle can accomplish all tasks; what may be suitable for .308 may not be accomplished by .338 Lapua.  In response, it is not uncommon for tactical units to possess multiple rifles to be used depending upon the situation and range to target.  The Remington Modular Sniper Rifle seeks to eliminate redundancy and multiple weapon platforms.

The rifle is capable of conversion between .338 Lapua, .300 Winchester Magnum, and 7.62×51 NATO within a matter of minutes by changing the barrel, bolt head, and magazine.  Featuring a free float, monolithic hand guard, M-1913 rails are available in 20 MOA, 30 MOA, and 40 MOA increments, allowing full use of day, night, or thermal optics to all be mounted on the same horizontal plane.  Look for a full review of the rifle system within a future issue of Small Arms Defense Journal.

Ase Utra Series S, Model SL-5 suppressor.

Ase Utra
Little known within the United States, Ase Utra is a well established Norwegian suppressor manufacturer with modern and efficient designs.  Two recent introductions were most recently on display.  The first is a highly efficient 5.56mm suppressor with a threaded quick detach mount.

The second suppressor may very well be the smallest .30 caliber suppressor in current production.  Measuring just over 4 inches long and about 2-inches in diameter, the suppressor reportedly provides 24 dB of sound reduction.  Built from 300-series stainless, the suppressor weighs approximately 400 grams and may be used on all .30 caliber rifle applications.

KBP Instrument Design Bureau:
Weapons from the former East-bloc are always fascinating, due in part to differing designs than traditional Western engineering.  Special purpose weapons occasionally appear in the public realm, with little fanfare.  This year’s event was no exception, with the display of three specialized and rarely seen weapon systems.

Ase Utra CQB-BL 5.56 suppressor, mounted to a Heckler and Koch G36 rifle.

The AGS-30 is the little brother to the AGS-17 AGL.  This variant is much simpler, lighter, and deadlier than the AGS-17.  As explained by the KBP representatives, it is very easy to fire several rounds, pick up the launcher, and move to a new firing position to avoid detection and counter battery fire.  The AGS-30 fires the same 30mm round used within the AGS-17 system.

Multiple grenade launchers are currently in vogue.  Typically designed as a rotary drum, there are few MGLs that feature an inline loading system.  Efforts by the United States to produce an inline ammunition feeding system was pursued in the China Lake project, and cancelled in the 1960s with little success.

The Russian GM84 grenade launcher features a 3-round tube magazine, capable of firing 7 types of ammunition.  While detailed information about the ammunition was unavailable, the traditional HE, HEDP, Smoke, TP, AP, and stun flash grenades are available.

Reload of the weapon is accomplished by pumping the barrel.  Unlike traditional shotguns where the new cartridge is raised into the chamber via an elevator, the magazine tube is above the barrel and appears to partially reply upon a gravity feed to present the new cartridge into the chamber.

Curiously, the system is chambered with a 43mm diameter barrel.  Cartridge measurements were unavailable, and no explanation as to caliber design was available.

Prior SADJ issues have detailed the use of the 7.62mm SP4 telescoping cartridge.  Virtually silent in use, at least two battle rifles are chambered to fire the highly specialized cartridge.  In discrete situations, the use of a carbine may not be practical.  In addition, the use of a semiautomatic (or fully automatic) rifle may be less than desired for discrete situations.  The OTS-38 Stechkin Special Revolver completes the tactical role of the SP4 cartridge.

French Felin warrior on display. The French government has committed to upgrading 22,588 units for use and integration within the French Army.

Detailed examination of the pistol was not permitted.  Nevertheless, the pistol appeared to be a standard revolver design with a 5 or 6 round cylinder, and 2-inch barrel chambered to fire the SP4 cartridge.  The cylinder gap between the cylinder and barrel appeared to be unusually tight.  Given the highly specialized nature of the SP4 cartridge, this is an expected feature as a means to provide increased projectile velocity and reduced sound signature.

French Felin (Fantassin à Equipments et Liaisons Intégrés) Modernization Program
While the French Army is currently undergoing downsizing, the French Army 1st Regiment is reportedly being issued the Felin system as part of a modernization program.  The system is reportedly an integrated system designed to enhance dismounted soldier operations.  The system integrates ballistic protection, observation via enhanced digital weapon sights and multi-function imagers, mobility via real time GPS locating for each soldier, C4I support via a digitized command network, and improved communication via individual active and passive radio communication for individual soldiers.  As part of the system, the FAMAS F2, FRF2 sniper rifle, and FN Minimi have been incorporated within the system.  The current Felin program calls for a minimum of 22,588 units for use and integration within the French Army.

Yugo RBGR-38 MGL (38mm)
It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.  Since introduction of the rotary drum multiple grenade launcher by Milkor of South Africa, a large number of imitators have hit the market with similar rotary drum designs.  The Yugoslavian RBGR-38 MGL is no exception, with the distinguishing feature of being chambered in 38mm.  No explanation as to chambering was offered; presumably the system could be chambered to fire traditional 40 x 46mm low pressure grenades.

DEP Imaging
DEP Imaging introduced the Griffin, an integrated un-cooled thermal and night vision system.  Thermal sight systems provide an unparalleled ability to see in day, night, and low light level situations where night vision may not be feasible.  Thermal systems also work very well in obscured environments, where sand, dust, fog, or smoke may obscure the potential target.  In comparison, intensified images provide accurate target identification, use of an IR illuminator in low (or no light situations), and the ability to penetrate glass barriers.  Simply, night vision systems provide a depth of field and the ability to see terrain detail that thermal systems are unable to provide.

The Griffin provides real time thermal and autogated digital image intensification (night vision) in a single system.  Measuring 2.8 x 1.8 x 1.4 inches, and weighing 3.5 ounces, the system is capable of being mounted to a helmet or vehicle.  Power use is minimal at less than 2.5 watts, with an image lag time of less than 1 microsecond.  In actual use, the system was capable of providing the benefits of both thermal and digital image intensification to provide an accurate and unparalleled view.  Additional information is available at www.dep-imaging.com.

Bumar Group model GPBO-40, 40x46mm grenade launcher.

Ceska Zbojovka (CZ)
CZ introduced the CZ 805, Bren A1/A2 battle rifle.  An entirely new design, the rifle bears no resemblance to the traditional Bren system of World War 2.  Instead, the rifle utilizes a gas piston recoil system, a locked breech and rotating breech block, allowing a cyclic rate of 760 rounds per minute.  Currently offered in 5.56mm, the rifle utilizes traditional AR-15/M16 magazines.  However, the rifle is also reportedly capable of being converted to fire 6.8mm and 7.62×39 cartridges.

Utilizing a four position fire control selector, the rifle is capable of firing semiautomatic, two-round burst, and fully automatic fire.  The Bren A1 system is a traditional rifle system with a 14-inch barrel and overall length of 36 inches, while the A2 configuration features an 11-inch barrel and an overall length of 30.7 inches.  Folding the stock reduces the overall length by approximately 10 inches.  Two stocks are available, either a collapsible and folding stock, or a non-collapsible folding stock.  Unloaded weight is reportedly 7.9 pounds.  Additional information may be found online at www.czub.cz.

Camelbak
In response to the ubiquitous Jerry can, Camelbak has introduced the Squadbak as a means of water storage and unit level water replenishment.  Capable of holding 50 liters of water, the Squadbak is capable of replenishing 3 Camelbak systems simultaneously.  Individual replenishment is easily accomplished by removing the bit valve of an individual Camelbak system and attaching it to the Squadbak valve.  No water is ever exposed or poured out of the reservoir to the individual units – refilling of the individual reservoir is accomplished via the drinking tube exclusively.

Similar to its smaller brethren, the Squadbak collapses as the water is removed.  Unlike the hard plastic Jerry can, the Squadbak is easily carried by a single soldier via built-in backpack straps.  While not intended to be carried for long periods as a back pack, the system is less bulky and more easily man portable.  Finally, unlike the plastic Jerry can, the risk of creating secondary projectiles during a catastrophic incident is reduced due to the soft bladder and fabric construction of the Squadbak system.  Suggested retail is in the $200 range and will be available for retail and direct military sales.

Nobles’ mount for a lightweight Bushmaster 30mm automatic cannon.

Aimpoint
Aimpoint introduced the FCS12 fire control system for the 84mm Carl Gustav RCL, Panzerfaust, and other automatic grenade launching systems.  The system utilizes a 1550nm eye safe laser range finder that is not observable with current night vision systems.  Once range is calculated, the ballistic computer calculates the aiming point and automatically adjusts the reticle to allow direct point of aim.  The ballistic computer is capable of storing up to 50 different ballistic algorithms, and automatically compensates for the ballistic drop at the measure distance, spin drift, propellant temperature, and terrain angle via an incorporated clinometer.

Utilizing a direct line of sight, the system allows the user to engage the target with both eyes open, ensuring a higher first round hit probability.  Use of the system is remarkably easy.  The user selects the type of round being fired, determines the distance to the target, and aims the weapon.

The system utilizes 6-AA type batteries, is capable of more than 96 hours of continuous use, with 15 power settings (7 night vision capable, and 8 daylight)

Schmeisser
The long known German weapon manufacturer is back with a vengeance.  Recently tasked with updating the G3 rifle platform for the German special forces, Schmeisser responded with a G3 rifle complete with adjustable Magpul stock and M-1913 Picatinny rail fore end.  No additional information was available, but a sample is being sourced for future testing and a full report.

The AR-15/M16 platform continues to evolve, with a wide variety of manufacturers producing the weapons system worldwide.  Schmeisser’s version includes a strengthened butt stock, reinforced front and rear take down pins, and a G3 type 2-pin barrel retention system that eliminates the traditional AR-15/M16 barrel nut.  The rifles are reportedly in current production and available for international sale.

Eurosatory 2010 was a great success, and offered a glimpse into the international arms market.  Hosted on a biennial basis, the next show is scheduled for June 11–15, 2012, in Paris, France.  Additional information regarding the show can be found at www.eurosatory.com.