The Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System (MAAWS) consists of the M3 Carl Gustaf Rifle and a family of 84mm ammunition. Originally fielded to the US Ranger in 1990, the program has grown to include NAVY Seals. The family of ammunition consists of a High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT), High Explosive (HE), High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP), Smoke, Illumination, Target Practice (TP) and Sub-Caliber Adapter training system. The ammunition weighs between 7 to 10 pounds. The effective range depending on the ammunition type varies from 200 to 1300 meters. The M3 Rifle weighs approximately 25 pounds and is 42 inches in length. There is a Picatinny Fire Control Device (PFCD) developed at Picatinny for the MAAWS. The PFCD is used as a mount for optical/night sights. It is used to address trajectory differences between HEAT, HE, and HEDP rounds. The PFCD contains a dual function knob that can be used to select round type and range. The original FCD from Bofors was a two-cam design (HEAT & HE). A second knob with a third cam for the HEDP firing. Idea of switching knobs was not favorable by the Rangers, therefore Picatinny was tasked to design a three-cam FCD to replace the Bofors' FCD. The M3 rifle and the supporting family of ammunition are manufactured by Bofors of Sweden.
Description A shoulder-fired, air jumpable, and swimmable system. An 84mm non-developmental item (NDI) recoilless rifle system consisting of:
M3 Carl Gustav reusable launcher compatible with current standard optical devices.
High explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round.
High explosive dual purpose (HEDP) round.
High explosive (HE) round for anti-personnel use.
Smoke round.
Illumination round.
Full and subcaliber training systems.
Status
System fielded with U.S. Army Special Operations Command since 1990.
Test and evaluation ongoing to support Naval Special Warfare Command’s fielding.
Ammunition production contract in-place through FY 1999.
Joint integrated product team managing all efforts.
Contractor Bofors Weapons Systems; Sweden
Description A shoulder-fired, air jumpable, and swimmable system. An 84mm non-developmental item (NDI) recoilless rifle system consisting of:
M3 Carl Gustav reusable launcher compatible with current standard optical devices.
High explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round.
High explosive dual purpose (HEDP) round.
High explosive (HE) round for anti-personnel use.
Smoke round.
Illumination round.
Full and subcaliber training systems.
Status
System fielded with U.S. Army Special Operations Command since 1990.
Test and evaluation ongoing to support Naval Special Warfare Command’s fielding.
Ammunition production contract in-place through FY 1999.
Joint integrated product team managing all efforts.
Contractor Bofors Weapons Systems; Sweden
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