Army Evaluates New Shoulder-Fired Rocket Tech

Defense Tech ^ | October 20, 2016 | Matt Cox

[C19fan]

The U.S. Army is testing new recoilless rifle technology designed give soldiers shoulder-fired rockets that are lighter and more ergonomic and in future, make them safe to fire in tight urban spaces.

Testers at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland are evaluating upgrades to the M3 recoilless rifle, also known as the Multi-role Anti-armor Anti-personnel Weapon System, or MAAWS. The improvements will make it more ergonomic, six pounds lighter and shorter.

[C19fan]

Current M3 recoilless rifle = K(c)arl Gustax developed in Sweden during the 1940s. I am not sure if the article made a mistake stating the new weapon will fire missiles as the Karl Gustax does not fire rockets per say although it does have rocket assisted rounds.

[Little Ray]

The Infantry needs portable artillery support and have re-discovered the recoilless rifle.
How retro!
Of course the warheads they'll be able to fire from them will be terrifying compared to what original weapons used!

[Little Ray]

The Infantry needs portable artillery support and have re-discovered the recoilless rifle.
How retro!
Of course the warheads they'll be able to fire from them will be terrifying compared to what original weapons used!

[null and void]

[Squantos]

Nuthin sez’s lovin in n a oven to the enemy like a TACP with experience and skills, a suite of radios and a laser to sparkle targets for CAS ..... but the M3 is one hell of a surgical game changer against hard targets.

[IronJack]

My son started his TACP training on Monday. Just a personal note ...

[Squantos]

I work a retired TACP (I’m retired EOD) His recommendation ....be fast, accurate and a multi-tasker with at least two good radios on him and don’t be afraid to tell folks regardless of rank to get the F off his allocated frequencies....

God bless him for taking his turn in the barrel..

[no-s]

It’s so pretty! I wants one!

[B4Ranch]

Any rocket you can fire with your legs crossed has to be a winner!

[MileHi]

Surgical can opener.

[Squantos]

Heck yeah...... I trained on the 90mm recoilless back in the 70’s. Firing that was biblical.

[IronJack]

I'm both proud and terrified of sending this good kid in harm's way. But I guess fathers have had those mixed feelings ever since Hector the Elder sent his lad off to fight the Greeks.

I'll pass along your advice.

[MileHi]

Firing that was biblical.

I bet!

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Actually, I think the infantry needs a selection of shoulder fired weapons. The old LAW was not bad as an urban area weapon, but something smaller and lighter to “pop snipers in windows” would be grand.

They already have the superior XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement (CDTE) System, that fires 25mm grenades.

The US Army is working on a 40 mm autonomous airburst Small Arms Grenade Munitions (SAGM) round to give 40 mm grenade launchers airburst capabilities as a complementary system to the XM25.

But there’s a big leap to this system.

[onedoug]

We had a 106 fitted to an APC in Vietnam. Nasty. Though it needed armored cavalry escort to the field and back.

[Little Ray]

I bet a 106mm could throw a really interesting shell these days. Imagine a 106 thermo-baric shell...

[Squantos]

Consider your Son and his skill sets he will have as “Horatius Cocles at the Sublician Bridge” ..... a TACP as stated knows the power to kill they possess and they WILL use it with surgical precision. I’m proud of your family for raising such a man.

Thank you. Stay Safe

[IronJack]

"And up spake brave Horatius, the Captain of the Gate:
'To every man upon this earth, death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better, than daring fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his gods?'"

-- Thomas Macaulay, "Lays of Ancient Rome"

From memory, so probably not verbatim.

You mean THAT Horatius?

Thank you for your kind words. I'll forward them to the young Airman.