Carl Gustaf M4 M3E1 CGM4 SAAB

Multi-role anti-tank rocket launcher weapon system - Sweden

The Carl-Gustaf M4 (CGM4), also called M3E1 in the U.S. Army, is the latest generation of multi-role anti-tank weapon systems in the family of Carl-Gustaf developed and manufactured by the Swedish company Saab. The key characteristic of the Carl-Gustaf M4 is to offer a multi-role weapon for modern infantry units. It is fully optimized for dismounted soldiers who need a lightweight, and high-impact weapon. The Carl-Gustaf M4 was unveiled in October 2014 during AUSA, the Association of the US Army in Washington D.C. In July 2017, Saab delivered Carl-Gustaf M4 multi-role weapons to Slovakia, the first customer to deploy the Carl-Gustaf M4 System. In May 2018, Saab announced an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for deliveries of the Carl-Gustaf M4, the latest version of the Carl-Gustaf weapon system, to the Swedish Armed Forces. In September 2018, Saab received an order for deliveries of the new Carl-Gustaf M4 multi-role weapon system to the Australian Army. This was Saab´s sixth customer for the Carl-Gustaf M4 system. In November 2018, Saab received an order for deliveries of the new Carl-Gustaf M4 to the Slovenian Armed Forces. In May 2020, SAAB has announced a contract to deliver Carl-Gustaf M4 to the Latvian and Estonian Armed Forces. In May 2021, the Australian Defence Force started operational training with the M4. In January 2022, the Swedish company SAAB has announced the signature of an agreement with the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence for the Carl-Gustaf® M4 weapon and ammunition.

Carl- Gustaf variants:

- Carl-Gustaf: first version of the 84 mm man-portable reusable anti-tank recoilless rifle produced by Saab Bofors Dynamics
- Carl-Gustaf M2: an improved version of the Carl-Gustaf first generation that was introduced in 1964 and quickly replaced the original version.
- Carl-Gustaf M3: was introduced in 1991, using a thin steel liner containing the rifling, strengthened by a carbon fiber outer sleeve. External steel parts were replaced with aluminum alloys or plastics, reducing the empty weapon weight considerably—from 16.35 kg to 10 kg.

Design

The Carl-Gustaf M4 is a further development of today’s widely deployed Carl-Gustaf M3. The design of the CGM4 is similar to the previous version which consists of a launcher tube with the breech-mounted Venturi recoil damper, with two grips near the front, a shoulder mount and a sight mounted on the left side of the weapon. Venturi effect is the reduction in fluid pressure that results when a fluid flows through a constricted section (or choke) of a pipe. The ergonomy of the previous version of the Carl-Gustaf has been improved, enabling soldiers to adjust the weapon to suit them, with an adjustable shoulder rest and front grip. The Carl-Gustaf M4 is shorter in length, meaning it’s easy to carry and handle in different tactical situations. It weighs less than seven kilograms, making it substantially lighter than its predecessors. This reduction in weight was achieved by switching the steel components to titanium and improving the carbon fiber wrapping. Each of the system’s external components has been carefully examined and redesigned to reduce its weight, along with the major parts of the weapon itself. At the same time, the ergonomics of the system have been improved. The CGM4 weighs less than 7 kg with a length of less than 1,000 mm.

Ammunition

The Carl-Gustaf M4 system is able to fire a wide range of 84mm caliber ammunition including anti-armor, anti-structure, multi-role, anti-personnel, and support rounds. It can fire all the ammunition that can be used with the M3 version of the Carl Gustaf. The HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) ammunition can penetrate up to 400 mm of rolled homogeneous armor. Ammunition with a tandem HEAT warhead is able to penetrate up to 500 mm of rolled homogeneous armor behind explosive reactive armor. The rate of fire is around 6 rounds per minute. The ammunition has an effective range of up to 400 m against tanks and 700 m against buildings and stationary targets. Some types of ammunition have a rocket booster to extend the range to up to 1,000 m.

Sight

The sight is mounted on a Picatinny rail offering the possibility to use different sights including thermal or image intensifiers for night combat operations. Saab has designed the Carl-Gustaf M4 to feature open compatibility with a range of intelligent sights, ensuring that the system remains on the cutting-edge of military technological innovation. Using intelligent sighting systems allows for instant analysis of situational data, letting the user, in effect, program the ammunition to achieve its desired effect. This future synergy between the round, the system and the individual is one of the next decisive strategic steps for forward-thinking militaries to take.

Built with future requirements in mind, the Carl-Gustaf® M4 is compatible with intelligent sighting systems, and prepared for programmable ammo.

Accessories

The Carl-Gustaf M4 has been specially designed to destroy main battle tanks, armored vehicles but also buildings or bunkers. It has an effective firing range of up to 500 m against armored vehicles or tanks and 700 m against buildings and stationary targets. Some types of ammunition have a rocket booster for an extended range to up to 1,000 m. The CGM4 is normally operated by a crew of two, including gunner and loader. With the CGM4, Saab is not just thinking about keeping troops agile in difficult environments. It is also enabling them to deal with a wide range of combat challenges they encounter; meaning that they have a powerful solution for every situation. Having a single weapon for all situations increases their tactical flexibility and reduces the amount of equipment that they carry. The CGM4 can be carried while loaded, enabling users to react faster to threats and tactically relocate when required. An interface informs users exactly how many rounds have been fired through it, so troops can accurately assess when an individual weapon has reached the end of its lifecycle

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