SMAW
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Portable anti-armor rocket launcher
Date
deployed: 1984
Contractor:
unavailable
Unit cost:
$13,000
Length:
29.9" (Carry position), 54" (Firing
position)
Wingspan:
unavailable
Diameter:
83mm
Speed:
unavailable
Weight:
16.6 lbs (Launcher empty), 29.5 lbs (Launcher w/ HE
Dual Purpose round), 30.5 lbs (Launcher w/ HE
Anti-Armor round)
Guidance:
unavailable
Range:
approx. 500m
Engine:
Solid fuel
rocket
Warhead:
Either High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) rocket, or
High Explosive Anti-Armor (HEAA) rocket |
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Mission: To
destroy bunkers and other fortifications during
assault operations as well as other designated
targets with the dual mode rocket and to destroy
main battle tanks with the HEAA rocket.
Features: The SMAW is an 83mm
man-portable weapon system consisting of the MK153
Mod 0 launcher, the MK 3 Mod 0 encased HEDP rocket,
the MK 6 Mod 0 encased HEAA rocket, and the MK217
Mod 0 spotting rifle cartridge. The launcher
consists of a fiberglass launch tube, a 9mm spotting
rifle, an electro-mechanical firing mechanism, open
battle sights, and a mount for the MK42 Mod 0
optical and AN/PVS-4 night sights. The High
Explosive, Dual Purpose (HEDP) rocket is effective
against bunkers, masonry and concrete walls, and
light armor. The High Explosive Anti-Armor (HEAA)
rocket is effective against current tanks without
additional armor. The 9mm spotting rounds are
ballistically matched to the rockets and increase
the gunner's first round hit probability. Training
is accomplished with the MK7 Mod 0 encased common
practice rocket and the MK213 Mod 0 noise cartridge.
The SMAW MK153 Mod 0 launcher is based on the
Israeli B-300 and consists of the launch tube, the
spotting rifle, the firing mechanism, and mounting
brackets. The launch tube is fiberglass/epoxy with a
gel coat on the bore. The spotting rifle is a
British design and is mounted on the right side of
the launch tube. The firing mechanism mechanically
fires the spotting rifle and uses a magneto to fire
the rocket. The mounting brackets connect the
components and provide the means for boresighting
the weapon. The encased rockets are loaded at the
rear of the launcher. The spotting cartridges are
stored in a magazine in the cap of the encased
rocket.
Background: The SMAW system (launcher,
ammunition and logistics support) was fielded in
1984 as a Marine Corps unique system. At that time,
the SMAW included the MK153 Mod 0 launcher, the MK3
Mod 0 HEDP encased rocket, the MK4 Mod 0 practice
rocket and the MK217 Mod 0 9mm spotting cartridge.
The MK6 Mod 0 encased HEAA rocket is being added to
the inventory. The MOD 0 has demonstrated several
shortcomings. A series of modifications is currently
planned to address the deficiencies. They include a
resleeving process for bubbled launch tubes,
rewriting/drafting operator and technical manuals, a
kit that will reduce environmental intrusion into
the trigger mechanism, and an optical sight
modification to allow the new HEAA rocket to be used
effectively against moving armor targets. Recently
fielded were new boresight bracket kits that, when
installed, will solve the loss of boresight problem
between launch tube and spotting rifle. During
Desert Storm, 150 launchers and 5,000 rockets were
provided to the U.S. Army. Since then, the Army has
shown increased interest in the system.
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