Lightweight M3A1 Recoilless Rifle (Army)
Abstract
The current M3 Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle was introduced to US forces in 1991. The original version used a thin steel barrel liner containing the rifling, strengthened by a carbon fiber outer sleeve. External steel parts were eventually replaced with aluminum alloys or plastics thereby reducing the weapon weight from 36 pounds to 21 pounds. At 21 pounds the weapon is extremely heavy, especially when also carrying 84mm ammunition. This M3A1 project will eliminate 6 pounds (28 percent) from the existing system by replacing various components (bolt, trigger, venturi, and ancillary parts) without changing the firing procedures, operations or ammunition. Since the weapons’ operational characteristics will not be changed, this low risk approach will produce a lighter weight 84mm shoulder fired weapon without going through a costly and time consuming process to test, qualify, and re-certify an entirely new modernized weapon system. This is continuing project which was previously funded during FY 2014 in PE 0605130D8Z.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 17d43e335ca82ddbacf5fac0375fe788