Saab has made the first delivery of its new HEAT 655 CS 84mm ammunition giving, for the first time, CARL-GUSTAF system users the ability to fire from inside confined spaces. Saab is a pioneer in the development and production of confined-space weapons, including the AT4 CS AST (click here for the AT4 CS link) and NLAW systems. The latest CARL-GUSTAF ammunition option further expands Saab’s position as a supplier of modern ground combat weapon systems.
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| Saab has made the first delivery of its new HEAT 655 CS 84mm ammunition giving, for the first time, CARL-GUSTAF system users the ability to fire from inside confined spaces. (Photo: Saab) |
The HEAT 655 CS (Confined Space) is the first CARL-GUSTAF ammunition that is fully optimised for launch from confined spaces, i.e. from inside a building. This is an important requirement in modern, urban conflicts and Saab’s business area Dynamics has conducted detailed research and development (R&D) to provide such a solution for the multi-purpose CARL-GUSTAF weapon system. Last week, Saab delivered the HEAT 655 CS to its first customer.
“This delivery marks a breakthrough for the CARL-GUSTAF system and is a testimony to our world-leading position as a supplier of ground combat weapon systems. The 84mm HEAT 655 CS further builds on the success of the CARL-GUSTAF system and provides new and existing users with important additional capabilities,” said Ulf Eriksson, Director, Product Management, Ground Combat within Saab’s business area Dynamics.
The CARL-GUSTAF system is a light and ruggedised portable infantry weapon, used by over 40 customer countries around the world. Its multi-purpose capability provides freedom of action for the soldier in all conflict scenarios. The HEAT 655 CS adds to the large existing inventory of ammunition that is already available for every kind of operation, making the CARL-GUSTAF the true multi-mission land combat system.
A major challenge with the new round was to develop a round that was fully backwards compatible, i.e. could be fired from all existing CG weapons from M1 to M3. The challenge was to develop a counter-mass with high density that allowed for full confined space capability, at the same time as fulfilling all system requirements. Saabs solid experience from more than six decades of development combined with new ways of thinking have been the key to success when identifying and implementing the technical solution for the confined space capability.
Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.
The CARL-GUSTAF is a versatile and recoilless man-portable weapon system which provides direct fire support for troops in almost any combat situation. The key to the versatility of this classic 84mm multi-role weapon is a new generation of ammunition, developed specifically to give soldiers the ability to defeat all types of target. For these reasons, the latest multi-purpose CARL-GUSTAF M3 launcher has reaffirmed the weapon’s market position. The system is a key component in Defence Forces around the globe and has been sold to over 40 countries on all continents.
A true multi-role weapon system, the CARL-GUSTAF (qualified from +60°C to -40°C) enables the user to defeat a wide range of armoured fighting vehicles (AFV), even those equipped with the latest advances in armour protection. The complete weapon system is also able to destroy bunkers, blast holes through brick and concrete walls, knock out concealed troops, create smoke screens and provide battlefield illumination. Today’s CARL-GUSTAF M3 launcher has an updated design with reduced weight (4.5kg) and other improvements that include a thinner steel liner, the length has been reduced, and a handle to carry the weapon.
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| The HEAT 655 CS (Confined Space) is the first CARL-GUSTAF ammunition that is fully optimised for launch from confined spaces, i.e. from inside a building. (Photo: Saab) |
Complete compatibility between older versions of the launcher and the latest types of ammunition (and vice versa) delivers great flexibility, modularity, scalability and cost-effectiveness.
A CARL-GUSTAF M3 is operated by a two-man crew; one fires the recoilless weapon while the other carries ammunition and loads the weapon. The versatile 84mm ammunition can be divided into the following four types: anti-armour, anti-structure, soft target and support.
The CARL-GUSTAF family of ammunition gives the soldier the ability to respond quickly and effectively to any threat.
HEAT 751 – for armour (incl. ERA-protected) destruction
HEAT 551 – for armour destruction
HEDP 502 – for armour destruction and effect behind walls
HE 441 – for soft targets
SMOKE 469 – for battlefield smoke
ILLUM 545 – for battlefield illumination
ASM 509 – for structural demolition
MT 756 – for effect behind walls
ADM 401 – for short-range protection
HEAT 655 CS – for armour destruction firing from confined spaces
To keep its position as the state-of-the art infantry system the CARL-GUSTAF M3 is the subject of continuous development. Further weight reduction and even more advanced functionality (reducing the length and giving it future sight equipment, amongst others) are key improvements to changing demands in order to take the system to its next level.