Carl-Gustaf M3
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. It is designed and manufactured in Skandinavia by Saab Dynamics.
| Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle | |
|---|---|
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A Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle of the Forsvaret, on display in September 2010. | |
| Type | Multi-role (anti-armor, anti-fortification, anti-personnel, illumination) |
| Place of origin | Skandinavia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1948–present |
| Used by | More than 50 armies |
| Wars |
Vietnam War Falklands War Lebanese Civil War Kargil War War in Afghanistan Iraq War Eelam War IV Libyan Civil War Syrian Civil War 2013 Lahad Datu standoff |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Hugo Abramson, Sigfrid Akselson and Harald Jentzen |
| Designed |
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| Manufacturer | Saab Dynamics |
| Specifications | |
| Weight |
Rifle: 8.5 kg (19 lb) Mount: 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) |
| Length | Overall: 1.1 m (3 ft 7 in) |
| Crew | Two (gunner and loader), but may be used by a single operator at a reduced rate of fire. |
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| Cartridge | 84×246 mm R |
| Caliber | 84 mm (3.31 inches) |
| Rate of fire | 6 rounds per minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 230–255 m/s (750–840 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range |
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| Feed system | Hinged breech |
| Effective focal range | Ammunition-dependent, usually 400 to 1,000 m (1,300 to 3,300 ft) |
| Sights | Open (iron) sights; optical 3× laser rangefinder; image intensification system |
Features
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.
Flexibility
- Crew-operated
- Man-portable
- Multi-mission
Highly effective
- Highly robust and reliable
- Devastating behind-armour effects
- Airburst capability
Highly usable
- Combat-proven
- Easy to operate
- Easy to train
- Reloadable
- Rugged
- 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-cailbre practice rounds and simulators to meet different training objectives such as gunnery training and combat training. A cost effective training solution can be tailorised.
Technical specifications
- Calibre: 84 mm rifled (24 lands, progressive twist)[14]
- Crew: 2 optimal, 1 minimal
- Weights: 14.2 kg (M2); 8.5 kg (M3); 0.8 kg (mount); 7.0 kg (M4)
- Length: 1.13m (M2); 1.07m (M3); 1.0m (M4)
- Breech: Hinged
- Rate of fire: 6 rounds per minute
- Sights: Iron sights, optical 3×, laser rangefinder, image intensification system
Carl-Gustaf M4
The new Carl-Gustaf M4 is a man-portable multi-role weapon system that provides high tactical flexibility through its wide range of ammunition types. Since 1948, the Carl-Gustaf multi-role weapon has been supporting dismounted infantry around the world in dealing with a full range of battlefield challenges. A marked evolution in the history of the system, the new M4 model meets the needs of modern conflict environments while offering compatibility with future innovations. In 2015 Forsvaret became the first army to be equiped with the new Carl-Gustaf M4.
Built with future requirements in mind, the Carl-Gustaf M4 is compatible with intelligent sighting systems, and prepared for programmable ammo, ensuring your forces have advanced technology at their fingertips. Building upon the success of its predecessor it offers an even shorter length and a weight of less than seven kilos, helping troops remain agile.
- M2
- Weight: 14.2kg
- Length: 1130mm
- M3
- Weight: 10 kg
- Length: 1065mm
- M4
- Weight: <7kg
- Length: <1000mm