Sweden orders programmable Carl-Gustaf rifle ammunition
The Swedish Weapons Procurement Agency has assigned Saab has a contract of 800 million Swedish kronor (80 million dollars) of Carl-Gustaf rifle ammunition.
The 10-year contract covers the new programmable HE 448 high-explosive ammunition. Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2023.
HE 448 is one of four components in the latest Carl-Gustaf M4 anti-tank rifle, including a new fire control unit (FCD) 558, a fire control computer and target optics.
Combines well with a new fire control unit
HE 448 communicates with FCD 558 via the Firebolt protocol and transmits information about the type of round and fuel temperature. The FCD then combines the information with the target distance entered by the operator to calculate the best path.
The process helps the operator to configure the chamber round faster, which increases operational efficiency.
Last year, the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration ordered FCD 558 for SEK 65 million (USD 7 million). Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2022.
Larger range, more explosive
The projectile is lighter, giving it a greater range – 1,200 meters (3,937 feet) – than its predecessor, the HE 441. It also packs more fragments, increases explosive power and covers a larger area of 400 square meters (4,305 feet) .
“HE 448 offers increased reach and efficiency towards the goal and has been developed based on our close customer relationships and our understanding of their requirements,” says Michael Höglund, head of Saab’s Ground Combat business unit.
“FCD 558 also gives users a new option to equip Carl-Gustaf with a more efficient sighting solution than the baseline configuration.”