The 84mm Carl Gustav recoilless rifle/rocket launcher has a legendary record in combat with world militaries like the British Army which used them to blast the Argentines out of the Falklands in the 1982 war. An U.S. Army NCO writes:

"We need the Carl Gustav Recoilless Rifle to be issued to regular U.S. Army infantry units. Currently, only the Rangers have them and they are a highly effective weapon for close support. This is an area that we currently have no solution for, and this needs to be remedied.

It is inexcusable for U.S. Infantry to go into combat with no close support weapon of this caliber. The AT-4 (one-shot, only one type of warhead) and M203 and MK-19 grenade launchers (small explosive effect in palm-sized round) are effective for limited close-range support, but do not provide the necessary firepower to deal with bunkers, fortifications, sturdy buildings, lay smoke screens etc. In an urban fight, which is very likely in any future conflict, this is an absolute must. The Carl Gustav has an entire family of rounds to meet the demands of infantry in an urban fight and ranges out to 700 meters. Why are the Rangers afforded such a luxury and we are not? Because they are high profile and have the budget, that's why. However, the rest of the Army will fight the majority of the battles in any decent sized conflict and Ranger narcissists will only be assigned 'special' missions.

I, and many of my colleagues, would love to have this system, if only the Army would see fit to issue it to us. It already is in the system, so the costs would only be for acquisition and procurement of ammo and weapons. Granted, there are budget restraints, but this should be a serious priority."

Thank you, SSG XXXXX XXXXX
101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

BREAKING NEWS: Return of the 90mm Recoilless Rifle to Combat by U.S. Army Light Infantry in Afghanistan

South Korean Army Soldiers Firing a M67 90mm Recoilless Rifle--from the PRONE--so don't say we can't do it

If the Army bureaucracy won't buy 84mm Carl Gustavs for "lower budgetary life form" light infantry, why not grow a pair of cajones and DEMAND that 90mm Recoilless Rifles sitting unused in storage along with mounds of ammunition be issued to you?

This is exactly what some 101^st Paratroopers did to counteract enemy RPG high explosive (HE) firepower and use of cover.

Moreover, it's proof in 1997 the 3^rd/73^rd Armor Battalion could have attached 90mm RRs to M113 Gavins when they had their M551 Sheridan light tanks taken away from them, and stayed in existence.

www.clarksvilleonline.com/2011/02/12/currahees-add-to-their-weapons-arsenal/

Currahees add to their Weapons Arsenal

February 12, 2011

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1^st Battalion and 2^nd Battalion, 506^th Infantry Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne, familiarize themselves with the M67 90mm recoilless rifle by firing the weapon at a Forward Operating Base Orgun-E range Jan. 27th. The Soldiers fired roughly 150 rounds of 90mm ammunition. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nathan J. Hyman, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne)

Written by By U.S. Army Spc. Kimberly K. Menzies
Task Force Currahee Public Affairs

Paktika Province, Afghanistan - Currahee Soldiers from 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne, began incorporating the M67 90mm recoilless rifle into their squads February 10th.

"We chose to utilize the 90mm because we wanted a high-volume fire power weapon that would provide low collateral damage," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert B. Fouche of Columbus, GA, executive officer for 4^th BCT, 101^st Abn. Div.

The M67 is a lightweight, portable, crew-served weapon designed primarily to be fired from the ground using the bipod or monopod, but it may be fired from the shoulder. It is an air-cooled, breech-loaded, single-shot rifle that fires fixed ammunition and it is equipped with a manually-operated breech and a percussion-type firing mechanism. As a reloadable weapon, it can be used with optics and lasers to fire at night.

The weapon is intended to be used primarily as a self-defense weapon, said Fouche.

"The M67 will be used by mainly infantrymen in a static position," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nathan J. Hyman of Clovis, CA, master gunner for 2^nd Battalion, 506^th Infantry Regiment, 4^th BCT, 101^st Abn. "This means the weapon will be stationary, it won't move unless necessary."

"Soldiers at the outlying stations will be able to use this weapons system as a force multiplier, meaning that more can be accomplished with fewer individuals," Hyman said. "Although we plan to use the 90mm in mainly a defensive posture, it also can be extremely effective being used offensively for ambushes."

Not only did the M67 meet the unit's tactical needs, but because it is not a newly developed weapon, Fouche said its use is also a cost-effective alternative.

"This weapon is a beneficial choice for three important reasons," Hyman said. "The weapon has the capability to eliminate an area target using a 90mm flechette round. It is easy to use, meaning it does not require extensive training in order to operate. It is also a reliable weapon and it is easy to maintain in the harsh environments of Afghanistan."

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1^st Battalion and 2^nd Battalion, 506^th Infantry Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne, wait for the signal to safely begin firing the M67 90mm recoilless rifle during a practice firing of the weapon at a Forward Operating Base Orgun-E range Jan. 27th. The Soldiers fired roughly 150 rounds of 90mm ammunition. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan J. Hyman, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne)

The Soldiers only recently received the weapons and have just finished the first training session, Hyman said. The training was held at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E and was primarily attended by noncommissioned officers who can then return to their companies and train their Soldiers.

The training consisted of classroom, hands-on and range training. The classroom portion covered weapon safety, function, use and maintenance.

During the hands-on portion, Soldiers familiarized themselves with various firing positions for the M67, such as prone, seated, kneeling or standing.

"Because the rifle is truly recoilless, it can be fired from almost any position," said Hyman.

At the range, Currahees familiarized themselves with the weapon by practice firing roughly 150 rounds of 90mm ammunition.

The level of noise produced by the weapon firing will also play a factor in the counterinsurgency fight.

The M67 90mm was utilized during the Vietnam War and it continues to be a viable weapon for Currahees in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?194551-101st-Airborne-Division-adds-M67-90mm-recoilless-rifle-to-their-Weapons-Arsenal/page2

Stating the obvious:

"Omg. Mike sparks was right!"

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America had better do something to get high explosives (HE) firepower in every infantry squad! We are getting clobbered by RPGs in Iraq...Afghanistan...get us an American RPG, rifle/hand grenades...Carl Gustavs...

The Carl Gustav can be seen in action on The Discovery Channel's American Commandos show (1-800 765-0066 $19.95). This weapon was used by British troops in the Falklands war to destroy Argentine bunkers and almost sank a frigate when it ventured too close!

Links for Carl Gustav, the M3 Ranger Anti-armor/Assault Weapon System (RAAWS).

www.army-technology.com/contractors/missiles/bofors/bof1.html

Rounds available:

HEAT 751, with the combined effect of explosively formed penetrator and hollow charge, penetrates ERA tiles without initiating them then its main charge blasts through the armour protection leaving massive internal damage.

HEAT 551 round knocks out approximately 90% of all armour vehicles at ranges up to 700 m. It is also highly effective against other hard targets, such as concrete bunkers, landing craft and aircraft.

TP 552 is for target practice. The 84 mm TP 552 round is ballistically matched to the 84 mm HEAT 551 round but has an inert warhead.

HEDP 502 round is a dual-purpose HE and HEAT round optimised for combat in urban areas. It is effective against light armoured vehicles, concrete and brick walls, field fortifications and ground forces.

HE 441 B round can be set to either impact detonation or air burst, to combat troops in the open or behind cover, soft-skinned vehicles and similar types of targets.

Illum 545 round rapidly illuminates target areas.

SMOKE 469 B round develops a smoke screen instantaneously on impact

Bofors AB
S-691 80 Karlskoga
Sweden
Tel: +46 586 810 00
Fax: +46 586 857 00
URL: http://www.bofors.se

Imagine a Light Tracked AFV/Javelin ATGM/Carl Gustav combination moving to key blocking positions in a mountainous Korean fight. M113 Gavin Tracked all-terrain mobility in ROK is a serious consideration- getting rounds on target to suppress/fix/bypass/etc the bad guys who will hide like "ewoks" in the forest with bad missiles for Bradleys and other nasty stuff for the road-bound Stryker/Humvee trucks.

Its actually very simple. The Platoon's Anti-Tank (AT) specialists become Assault/Anti-Tank (AAT) Specialists who can fire the Carl Gustav or the Javelin ATGM depending on if its a fight versus armored vehicles or lots of enemies in buildings/bunkers.

What do you think???

AIRBORNE!

FEEDBACK!

itsg@hotmail.com

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