Description:
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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