Lightweight M3A1 Recoilless Rifle (Army)
Abstract
The current M3 Carl Gustaf Recoilless 84 millimeter Rifle was introduced to U.S. forces in 1991. The original version used a thin steel barrel liner containing the rifling, strengthened with 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. This M3A1 project will eliminate six pounds (28 percent) from the existing system by replacing the existing steel tube with a titanium alloy tube, and other 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 a continuing project previously funded in FY 2014 in PE 0605130D8Z.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Source ID
- d595113ed90d63e3a51011aecbf55c11