Grenade launcher Carl Gustaf M4 (Sweden)

28
The Swedish company Saab Dynamics, which includes some of the structural units of the former Bofors, has completed the creation of a new modification of the anti-tank grenade launcher Carl Gustaf. Weapon, received the M4 index, is a further development of the line of anti-tank grenade launchers, developed from the mid-forties. The 24 and 25 of September at the test site in the city of Karlskog held demonstration firing using a new Carl Gustaf M4 grenade launcher. During this event, a new model grenade launcher showed the military and representatives of 20 foreign countries.



The new M4 grenade launcher was developed based on the previous model of the M3 family, created in the early nineties. The weapon retained the main features of the previous systems, but several new technical solutions were used in its design. The goal of modernization, as before, was to improve the performance of the grenade launcher to ensure greater efficiency of use. According to official data, the grenade launcher of the new model is lighter and more compact than its predecessors, and also more convenient to operate and maintain.

The main features of the grenade launcher remained the same. Carl Gustaf M4 has a 84 mm rifled barrel. A similar weapon architecture has been preserved from the very first model, but it has repeatedly been suggested to use new materials. Thus, the M3 grenade launcher received a steel barrel, and the “pipe” of the new M4 is made of titanium. The nozzle for removal of powder gases is made of carbon fiber. New materials have reduced the weight of weapons. The barrel of the M4 grenade launcher on the 1,1 kg is lighter than that of the M3. With such a comparison of nozzles, the new M4 has an advantage in 0,8 kg.

Upgrading weapons and ammunition for him gave the opportunity to reduce the length of the barrel. It is alleged that the length of the grenade launcher Carl Gustaf M4 does not exceed one meter. An unloaded weapon weighs only 6,7 kg versus approximately 9 kg in M3. The length of the new grenade launcher in comparison with the previous modification is reduced by 70 mm. Due to this, as the manufacturer assures, the grenade launcher of the new modification is much more convenient in operation than the “Carls Gustavy” of previous models.

The overall appearance of the external "body kit" trunk remained the same. Nevertheless, some major changes were made to it, aimed at improving the ergonomics of the weapon. So, the sight and front handle are mounted not on special mounts, but on universal Picatinny rail. Thanks to this, the M4 grenade launcher can use sights of various types. In addition, if necessary, a grenade launcher can be installed on any combat vehicle. In such a case, the picatinny bottom bar for the handle is used to fasten the remote start control system.



The front picatinny rail also allows you to move the handle back and forth. With its help, the grenade thrower can set the handle to the most convenient position, taking into account the features of its anatomy. Similarly, the shoulder rest in the middle part of the weapon is adjusted. The fire control grip remains fixed, but the movement of the front grip and shoulder rest fully compensates for this.

Convenience of operation of the grenade launcher Carl Gustaf M4 in combat conditions is provided by two innovations. Now the fighter has the ability to carry a loaded weapon, because it is equipped with a new double safety device that protects against accidental firing. The titanium barrel life is 1000 shots. To monitor the state of the barrel on a grenade launcher mounted mechanical counter, with which the grenade thrower can determine the need to clean or replace weapons.

Since the late forties, a large amount of ammunition for grenade launchers of the Karl Gustav family was created. At present, the customer can choose from 11 types of grenades for various purposes. Available as cumulative or fragmentation grenades, as well as training or smoke. Thus, the new grenade launcher, capable of using all existing 84 mm caliber ammunition, has the same flexibility of use as the previous family of weapons.

In the future, Saab Dynamics plans to develop several new ammunition for the Carl Gustaf M4 grenade launcher. It is supposed to create and put in a series frag grenades with a programmable detonation. For the effective use of such ammunition, a special sight will also be created with a range finder and a system for introducing commands into the grenade detonators. In addition, the plans of the Swedish specialists have a family of compact Ultra-Light Missile guided missiles, which will be equipped with homing heads and will be able to perform various tasks. Through the use of guided missiles, grenade launchers will be able to attack targets at a distance of 1,5-2 km.

24-25 September in Sweden were demo shots, during which a new grenade launcher was shown. The official presentation of the new weapon will take place a little later, in mid-October at the AUSA exhibition in Washington (USA). After that, Saab Dynamics will begin negotiations with potential buyers of new weapons.

Despite the upcoming presentation, tests of the Carl Gustaf M4 grenade launcher have not yet been completed. They are planned to finish only next year. Start of mass production is scheduled for 2016. It is noteworthy that for some time the grenade launchers of the Karl Gustav family of the M4 and M3 models will be manufactured in parallel. The reason for this is the relatively high cost of a new weapon and the temporary lack of accurate information about its prospects.



Currently, Saab Dynamics is actively engaged in the subject of grenade launchers. In addition to the Carl Gustaf M4 grenade launcher, during the recent demonstration firing, a modification of the AT4 one-shot grenade launcher with an increased range and warhead of greater power, the NLAW grenade launcher and the new MAPAM mortar bombs were shown. At the same time, however, the most attention was paid to the Carl Gustaf M4 grenade launcher, since the weapons of this family became the hallmark of Bofors and then Saab.


On the materials of the sites:
http://saabgroup.com/
http://janes.com/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
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28 comments
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  1. Alexander
    +3
    1 October 2014 10: 56
    The foam rubber on the couplers was especially pleased.
    1. +2
      1 October 2014 11: 12
      Rather, the thermal insulation pad.
      1. 0
        16 October 2014 08: 31
        good Swedes began to sculpt videos, there is something to learn
        1. +1
          19 October 2014 10: 28
          The video is shot in the style of the screensaver for the games of the Battlefield series ... The same music with the "metallic" clang of opening trolley doors and the squeak of a multicooker, simulating the deployment of some radar antennas to find a target ...
        2. 0
          25 October 2014 18: 58
          And what else they have to do is to sell their products somehow. But the fact that they managed to reduce the weight of their "long-liver" "Karl ...", produced since 1948, that's great
          [quote] The barrel of the grenade launcher is now made of titanium, and the body is made of composite materials. As a result, the new Carl Gustav weighs only 6,7 kilograms, which is 3 kilograms lighter than its predecessor.
          but our RPGs 29

          and especially the multi-caliber RPG32 is BETTER and cheaper
    2. The comment was deleted.
  2. +2
    1 October 2014 11: 08
    A toy, a titanium (!) Barrel mimics.
    ... a modified AT4 disposable grenade launcher was shown ...

    And before that it was decent for a one-time, 300-500m (290m / s).
    1. 0
      1 October 2014 22: 26
      It will not reach 250))) There is no need to push a spherical horse in a vacum.
      1. +1
        2 October 2014 00: 18
        Push you don’t need a recoilless cannon in the tank’s tower, but it’s worth to distinguish between the direct range of the shot from the aiming (in long range = effective).
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT4
      2. The comment was deleted.
  3. +2
    1 October 2014 11: 31
    Carl Gustaf in the movie Soldiers of Fortune 1994
  4. Asan Ata
    +2
    1 October 2014 13: 54
    RPG - Zeus War. This one is Apollo, damn it.
  5. +1
    1 October 2014 14: 07
    In my opinion, the photo shows a sample of an experimental series, it is too "rough" for a sample of infantry weapons. Perhaps I am mistaken.
  6. 0
    1 October 2014 15: 55
    Stunned since 1948, the old man lost almost 10 kg.
  7. Denis fj
    0
    1 October 2014 16: 26
    A disposable RPG has one most important advantage - its already weightless fiberglass tube is thrown out after use, and the launcher of a reusable grenade launcher (which is equal in weight to one or two shots from the same grenade launcher) is a heavy burden on the shooter's shoulders (shots could already shoot, and empty heavy grenade launcher).
    1. +1
      1 October 2014 21: 10
      That's the trick of the M4 - a reusable composite barrel.
  8. +2
    1 October 2014 17: 18
    The second article of the month on Carlosz, he is popular almost like Makarevich laughing
    1. +3
      1 October 2014 20: 23
      Quote: MooH
      The second article of the month on Carlosz, he is popular almost like Makarevich laughing

      So sure Andrew! March 21, 2014 at VO already discussed. Not deja vu however. Yes
  9. 0
    1 October 2014 20: 01
    So they said that the United States had already adopted it, and here they write that the tests are not completed. Who to believe?
    1. ICT
      +1
      1 October 2014 20: 14
      Quote: Maksus
      So they said that the United States has already adopted it


      there M3 here M4 like everything is clear

      that for some time the Carl Gustav family grenade launchers of the M4 and M3 models will be produced in parallel.
    2. 0
      1 October 2014 20: 54
      Quote: Maksus
      So they said that the United States had already adopted it, and here they write that the tests are not completed. Who to believe?

      Believe me:
      Karl Gustav adopted by the US Army
      Carl Gustav conquers America
  10. -1
    1 October 2014 23: 15
    Say they’re doing a barrel out of TITAN ... And where do the Swedes get the titanium from? From Russia, it’s known ... no longer from where ... That's how the Russian thief is ARMING the enemies of Russia ...
    1. ICT
      +1
      2 October 2014 00: 07
      Quote: I think so
      From the TITAN, say the barrel is being made ... And where do the Swedes get the titanium from?

      Yes, they bought a couple of tons from the same Norway (WHAT DOESN'T RUN AWAY) for the first time is enough
    2. 0
      2 October 2014 07: 47
      Quote: I think so
      Say they’re doing a barrel out of TITAN ... And where do the Swedes get the titanium from? From Russia, it’s known ... no longer from where ... That's how the Russian thief is ARMING the enemies of Russia ...

      Or maybe from China or some other country? wink
      List of countries by titanium production

      TITANIUM AND TITANIUM DIOXIDE
      1. ICT
        0
        2 October 2014 08: 10
        Quote: professor
        or another country?


        more clear here

        http://www.cmmarket.ru/markets/tiworld.htm
        1. 0
          2 October 2014 08: 19
          Quote: TIT
          more clear here

          http://www.cmmarket.ru/markets/tiworld.htm

          you have titanium ore reserves in 2012 indicated. I showed who how much produces. Russia is not in the first place. For me personally, it was a discovery how much Japan and Ukraine produce.
          1. 0
            2 October 2014 09: 24
            enlighten what titanium Ukraine produces, ore a titanium sponge and take from Ukraine, but Ukraine itself does not do titanium. This requires large energy costs, resulting in cheap electricity.
  11. 0
    1 October 2014 23: 45
    With all the advantages of "Gustav", I like our "MATADOR" more, but I honestly admit that I am not objective.
  12. +1
    2 October 2014 23: 44
    like an ad device crap !!! as a photo probably for the great ukrov cool! but for us RUSSIANS so RPG with its various "gifts" to the reptiles of the land RUSSIAN mile more than any overseas shnyaga!
  13. waggish
    0
    4 October 2014 16: 49
    Against the T-90 and all sorts of 80s there, 84 strongholds, black eagles ................ the very thing!
  14. +1
    6 October 2014 09: 08
    test tube came out for titanium stoves
  15. Hun
    Hun
    0
    31 October 2014 18: 07
    Each product has its own niche and buyer, if there is a production opt ...
  16. 0
    3 November 2014 15: 52
    Swedes were never considered bad gunsmiths.
  17. 0
    12 November 2014 10: 35
    It’s a pity for the accuracy of no data to compare with ours.
  18. 0
    17 August 2017 18: 30
    Good gun, comfortable and the caliber is not weak.

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