Raytheon, Saab to develop improved shoulder-launched weapon systems

Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Raytheon and the Swedish aerospace and defense firm Saab will partner to develop new weapons for infantry forces, the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday.

The companies said that they will first look to upgrading the Carl-Gustaf reloadable shoulder-launched weapon, an 84mm anti-tank recoilless rifle used by the United States, Britain and 38 other countries.

Additionally, the companies are looking to enhance Saab's AT-4 disposable weapon system to meet near-term U.S. and international requirements. The AT-4 also fires 84mm rockets, however they are unguided.

"Putting the best equipment in the hands of soldiers is our main mission," Kim Ernzen, Raytheon Land Warfare Systems vice president, said in a press release. "Saab and Raytheon bring the power of the world's latest technologies to make this happen."

Saab has worked to modernize the multi-role weapon as soldiers' needs on the battlefield change. The company made it more portable by reducing the weight of the newest version, the M4/M3E1, from 22 to 15 pounds.

"Collaborating with Raytheon, utilizing their technical and product excellence in combination with our technology, will enhance the already world-leading Carl-Gustaf and AT4 weapon systems with additional capabilities that will further increase the operational benefit for the end user," said Görgen Johansson, who leads Saab's Dynamics business.