M3 Multi-Role Anti-Armor
Anti-Personnel Weapon
System (MAAWS)
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
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m3-maws.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Friday, January 08, 1999 11:53:43 AM
