Mission:
The M3A1 is an 84mm lightweight, man-portable, direct-fire recoilless rifle. The M3A1 MAAWS is effective against light and medium armor, personnel, bunkers and structural targets out to 1300 meters.
Description:
The M3A1 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System (MAAWS) is a multi-role, anti-armor, anti-personnel weapon system that is breech loaded and laterally percussion fired. The rifle is recoilless as a part of the propellant gases escape rearward through the venture, equalizing the recoil force.
The M3A1 MAAWS can also provide an effective illumination and obscuration capability out to 2200 meters. The lightweight M3A1 MAAWS is a product improvement to the legacy M3. The M3A1 MAAWS is part of an effort to reduce weight (< 15lbs vs. 22lbs) and increase capability within the IBCTs/SBCTs and Scouts by incorporating an advanced fire control system (FCS13RE) with an integrated laser range finder and modular ballistic computer capable of programming high explosive air-bursting ammunition and engaging moving targets.
The M1 Carl Gustaf was originally introduced in 1948, but has undergone subsequent changes. The fourth generation was introduced in 2019 as the M3E1. Shortly afterwards, it was Urgent Materiel Released to operational units within the U.S. Army and USSOCOM as the M3A1 MAAWS. This shorter version incorporates many upgrades while reducing the weight of the system.
The M3A1 MAAWS can fire a range of projectiles:
- High Explosive Dual Purpose Round (Light Armor and Structures)
- High Explosive Anti-Tank Round (Medium Armor)
- High Explosive Round (Airburst)
- Multi-Target Round (Behind Wall Effects)
- Anti-Structure Munition (Thermobaric)
- Illumination Round Smoke Round Area Defense Munition (Canister Round)
Specifications:
Caliber
Weight
Length
Max Effective Range