The lethal technology of the Swedish Anti-Armor Weapons

Sweden, which has been a major player in military technology for many decades, continues its achievements with Carl Gustaf Recoilles Rifle and the AT4 Rocket.

The AT4 is an unguided anti-armor weapon produced by Saab Bofors Dynamics. 

Its name is actually a phonetic spelling of the weapon’s caliber, 84mm (3.31-inch) — as in “A-T-4.”

This weapon system is effective against light armored combat vehicles, landing craft, helicopters, and aircraft.

The AT4 was designed by Förenade Fabriksverken (FFV) and manufactured at their facility in Zakrisdal, Karlstad, Sweden. 

Although it was based on the Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle, the AT4 was designed as a disposable weapon built around a reinforced smoothbore fiberglass outer tube.

The AT4 was introduced to the US Army in 1982 before being adopted by Sweden. 

After modifying the weapon’s launch tube bumpers, sights, and slings, the US Army adopted AT4 as the lightweight multipurpose weapon M136. 

It is used by the US Army and Marines as a short-range anti-tank weapon and has been used in a variety of conflicts, including the Gulf War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Swedish Army adopted the Americanized version, but theirs also has a folding hand grip to help steady the AT4 when aiming and firing.

The Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle is a highly adaptable, man-portable anti-tank and anti-structure weapon system produced by Saab Bofors Dynamics.  

The Swedish company Carl Gustaf Stads Gevärsfaktori, owned by the Swedish government and named after King Carl X Gustaf, was responsible for the design and production of the initial model of this weapon. 

The original Gustaf was widely adopted by West European armies as a primary anti-tank weapon for use by squads. The Carl Gustaf M2 replaced the original shortly after its introduction in 1964 due to its superior design.

The U.S. Army took an interest in the following M3 model in the early 1990s. Its adoption was initially limited to the Army’s Special Operations Command (USASOC), as the weapon’s versatility, lightweight design, and powerful anti-tank and anti-structure capabilities made it an ideal choice for special operations forces. The Carl Gustaf M3 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System (MAAWS) quickly gained popularity among U.S. soldiers due to its ease of use, accuracy, and effectiveness against a wide range of targets.