FFV Carl Gustaf
The FFV Carl Gustaf is a reactive anti-tank rifle of the Ordnance department of the Swedish state arms manufacturer Försvarets Fabriksverk (FFV, formerly Carl Gustafs stads gevärsffektori ) in Eskilstuna , which has merged into Saab Dynamics , formerly Saab Bofors Dynamics . The anti-tank rifle is also known as Gustaf Bazooka in English-speaking countries .
Development history
The Swedish designer Abramson developed a portable anti-tank weapon in 1941. In 1946 the weapon was enlarged to the caliber 84 mm and improved several times until it was introduced by the Swedish military as FFV Carl Gustaf in the 1950s . From 1972 the model M 2-550 was then in use.
The weapon is said to have been exported to around 40 countries, including the Federal Republic of Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Israel. It has been produced under license in India since 1976.
Designation in other countries:
- Germany - heavy Panzerfaust Carl Gustaf or light rifle 84 mm (only used for battlefield lighting ), see also: List of Bundeswehr ammunition
- Great Britain - L 14 A1
- Austria - anti-tank tube PAR 66/79
- USA - Ranger Antitank Weapons System (RAWS) (Model M 3)
technology
The weapon is transported by two people (gunner and loader). The ammunition available is explosive, tank, flare, smoke and training grenades. A T-shaped foot or tripod that is attached to the shoulder rest is available for shooting while lying down.
The weapon consists of a tube, at the rear end of which a closure with a conically widening exhaust pipe ( Venturi nozzle ) is attached. The lock is mounted pivotably around a bolt and is locked by means of a claw.
In the front part of the barrel there are 24 pulls , the rear part is smooth as a cartridge chamber.
The shoulder rest - based on the total length - is attached in the middle. In front of it are two pistol grips. The handle near the muzzle is used to stabilize the weapon, the other is combined with the trigger group. The sighting device on the left side of the weapon is at the same height as this pistol grip. The M 3 model also has a handle on the top.
A guide tube with a firing rod is located on the side of the tube parallel to the tube axis. At the rear of the tube, a firing pin is inserted into a guide bushing with a cover perpendicular to the tube axis. The firing pin consists of a point and a shaft. A breakthrough with a control surface runs transversely through the shaft of the firing pin. The rear end of the firing rod sits in this opening. A compression spring sits on the front end of the firing rod.
For loading, the shutter with the exhaust pipe is swiveled to the left and the cartridge is inserted from behind. Then the lock is closed and locked. An internal fuse prevents a shot from being released when the weapon is unlocked. To cock the trigger, the lever behind the trigger group must be pushed forward in the direction of fire. The firing rod is pushed forward against the pressure of the compression spring until the trigger engages on a locking piece and the firing rod is fixed. The weapon can be unlocked and the trigger pulled to fire. This turns the trigger, which releases the cocked firing rod. The firing rod snaps backwards and uses a ramp to push the firing pin into the cartridge's primer. Then the primer ignites and ignites a propellant powder that propels the projectile forward out of the barrel. At the same time, powder gases flow out of the nozzle on the closure, which cause a recoil force forwards. This almost eliminates the recoil of the shaped charge grenade. After the grenade has left the barrel with a certain twist, a rocket motor ignites at a safe distance from the shooter and accelerates the grenade to a higher speed.
The weapon can be used against targets up to a distance of 700 m. With a double-magnifying telescopic sight, the maximum range against objects should be 2000 m. The version M 2-550 has a three times magnifying scope FFV 550 . Both rifle scopes weigh around one kilogram each.
| designation | caliber | length | Weight | grenade | Rate of fire | Effective range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carl Gustaf M 2 (M / 48) | 84 mm, progressive right-hand twist, 24 trains and fields | 1130 mm | 14.2 kg, with accessories and packing board approx. 30 kg | 2.6 kg or 1.7 kg HEAT | 310 m / s | 6 rounds / min | 450 m |
| Carl Gustaf M 2-550 | 84 mm | 1130 mm | 15 kg | 3 kg | 260 m / s | 4 rounds / min | 550-600 m |
| Carl Gustaf M 3 (M / 86) | 84 mm | 1065 mm | 9.5 kg | 700-1000 m | |||
| Carl Gustaf M 4 | 84 mm | less than 1000 mm | 6.6 kg |
The grenades have a penetration capacity of 400 mm RHA . The FFV 551 grenades used in the M 2-550 version have a slower muzzle velocity ( ), but continue to accelerate to 350 m / s during flight.
The models M 2 and M 2-550 are made of metal. The M 3 version presented in 1991 was produced with thin steel, strengthened by an outer sleeve made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic . The external steel parts have also been replaced with parts made of plastic or aluminum alloys.
In November 2011 the US armed forces ordered the M3 MAAWS (Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System) for use in Afghanistan. This version weighs only 8.5 kg. Grenades of the type FFv 597 in caliber 135 mm should also be available.
In 2014 a new version, the M 4, was introduced, weighing 6.6 kg. In February 2019, the US Army signed a contract to procure the M 4 (referred to as the M3E1 in the USA), which are equipped with a digital sight with a range finder.
See also
literature
- Ian V. Hogg : Jane's Infantry Weapons 1991-92. 17th edition. Jane's Information Group, Coulsdon et al. 1991, ISBN 0-7106-0963-9 .
- John Norris: Anti-Tank Weapons. Brassey's, London 1996, ISBN 1-85753-177-9 ( Brassey's modern military equipment ).
- Günter Wollert, Reiner Lidschun, Wilfried Copenhagen : small arms . (1945-1985). In: Illustrated encyclopedia of rifles from around the world . 5th edition. tape 1 + 2 . Brandenburgisches Verlagshaus, Berlin 1988, ISBN 3-89488-057-0 , weapons, p. 363-364 .
Web links
- M3 Carl Gustav 84-mm Recoilless Rifle by Tim Davis at Armyranger.com ( Memento from November 9, 2007 in the Internet Archive )