How to make the best even better – AFCD TI and Carl-Gustaf
The Carl-Gustaf (CG) recoilless rifle is one of the most widely used Multi-Role, Anti-Armor, Anti-Personnel Weapon System in the world. It is in service with dozens of countries already and there are a number of good reasons why the Carl-Gustaf has stood the test of time, mainly its durability, reliability, and versatility. Though Saab developed the man-portable weapon initially to take out tanks, it quickly became apparent that it could blast bunkers, buildings, and enemy forces hunkered down behind other hard cover. A standard high explosive round is effective against light vehicle and troops in the open, too.
The latest weapon to the system, M4, weighs less than 7,0 kg. The Carl-Gustaf M4 is flexible with a wide range of existing and future ammunition types. At the moment there are more than ten types of ammunition for the system and ammunition development is ongoing. Carl-Gustaf M4 is in operational use e.g. in USA (Special Forces, Army and Marines), Australia and Slovakia. Sweden, Estonia and Latvia have also ordered this new M4 weapon of Carl-Gustaf, to name a few.
Carl-Gustaf has proven its capability in variety of conflicts. The system is excellent, but it can be even better. When using standard telescopic sight, the gunner has to estimate distance to the target and if the target is moving, also the speed. That is challenging especially in offensive operations and during the night.
Senop has developed Advanced Fire Control Device (AFCD Thermal Imager) which is an intelligent weapon sight especially designed for Saab Carl-Gustaf M3 and M4. AFCD TI consist of day camera, thermal imager, range finder, ballistic computer, environmental sensors (ambient temperature and barometric pressure) and inertial measurement unit. Airburst rounds can be programmed via AFCD TI. The device weighs only 1,5kg with batteries and weapon mount. Digital image fusion enables to combine day and thermal images. Day image describes accurately the details and thermal image highlights target information. Both, day camera and thermal imager, has 3x magnification and 2x digital zoom.
AFCD TI will be available to the market after the final verification has been performed.
AFCD TI is easy to use. Programming of ammunition, automatic identification of ammunition type and propellant temperature will be features in future ammunition types and automatically provided from the weapon to the fire control device. Only thing the gunner has to do, is to measure the range to the target and track moving target two to four seconds and he/she will get the predicted aiming point (crosshair) to the display. Then the gunner places the crosshair to the target and fires. All the calculations are done automatically. Ammunition type, propellant temperature and distance to the target can be set also manually, if that is preferred. Automatic ballistic calculation enhances the hit probability significantly, especially when firing moving targets and long distances. AFCD TI is enabler which makes best out of Carl-Gustaf weapon system.
AFCD TI makes the best even better!