Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon
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The Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) is a shoulder-launched rocket weapon, based on the Israeli B-300, with the primary function of being a portable anti-armor rocket launcher. It was introduced to the U.S. armed forces in 1984. It has a maximum range of 500 m against a tank-sized target.
It can be used 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. Recent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have seen a thermobaric rocket added (described as NE - "Novel Explosive"), which is capable of collapsing a building.[1]
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[edit] Overview
The Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon is an 83 mm 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 9 mm 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.
[edit] Design
The SMAW MK153 Mod 0 launcher is based on the Israeli IMI 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 gelcoat on the bore. The spotting rifle is a British design (derived from the LAW 80) 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.
The 9 mm spotting rounds are ballistically matched to the rockets and increase the gunner's first round hit probability. The spotting rounds consist of a .22 Hornet blank cartridge, crimped into a 7.62 mm NATO casing with a special 9 mm tracer bullet as the projectile.[2] The system can be used in conjunction with the AN/PAQ-4 aiming light as an alternative to the spotting rifle.
Training is accomplished with the MK7 Mod 0 encased common practice rocket and the MK213 Mod 0 noise cartridge. At 187 decibels, the weapon is one of the loudest on the battle field, second only to a mine-clearing line charge.
[edit] Rockets
The High Explosive, Dual Purpose (HEDP) rocket is effective against bunkers, masonry and concrete walls, and light armor. Making use of a crush switch in the nose of the rocket, the HEDP round is able to distinguish between a hard and soft target, allowing for greater penetration on soft targets for increased damage potential. The HEDP round is capable of penetrating 8 inches (20 cm) of concrete, 12 inches (30 cm) of brick, or up to 7 feet (210 cm) of wood-reinforced sandbags. The High Explosive Anti-Armor (HEAA) rocket is effective against current tanks without additional armor, and utilizes a standoff rod on the detonator, allowing the explosive force to be focused on a small point, allowing for maximum damage against armored targets. The HEAA round is capable of penetrating 22 inches (56 cm) of homogeneous steel.
[edit] Service
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 9 mm 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 Operation 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.
[edit] Deployment
When preparing to fire, gunner takes his firing position, most often kneeling. The assistant gunner (A-gunner) unscrews the rocket cap, screwing the round into the rear of the launcher. While the A-gunner extricates the spotting rifle rounds, the gunner charges the charging lever on the launcher. The A-gunner then inserts the spotting round cartridge into the spotting rifle, and the gunner cocks the rifle (sometimes the A-gunner is the one who cocks the rifle, because it is hard for the gunner to reach it). Taking aim, the gunner fires the spotting rifle until the tracer rounds are on target, with the A-gunner acting as spotter. Once on target, the A-gunner clears the backblast area, ensuring no one is in the backblast, and shouting, 'Backblast area all secure!' The gunner then says, 'Rocket,' denoting that a rocket is about to go downrange. The A-gunner repeats, and the gunner depresses the launch lever and pulls the trigger.
When used in the assault of a fortified position, two-man SMAW teams are often assigned to rifle platoons, or under the direct command of the company commander. SMAWs are often positioned on the flanks of formations, as backblast is a significant safety concern. The backblast extends in a 90 meter, 45 degree cone to the rear of the weapon. The backblast is lethal out to 30 meters, and still extremely dangerous from the 30 meter mark to 90.
Although the weapon can be fired from the off-hand, kneeling, and prone positions, the prone position is generally not used, as the shockwave from the weapon will rebound off of the ground, striking the gunner and assistant gunner twice.
When used in the defense, a two-man, v-shaped fighting hole is generally utilized. Overhead cover on flanks is used for ammunition storage, to protect rounds from the elements, and to guard against sympathetic detonation. Positions are interspersed throughout the rifle platoon, where they have maximum visibility along the most likely avenues of approach, the better to serve as company-level anti-armor weapons.
[edit] Similar weapons
The Israel Military Industries ltd produced the B-300 during the 1980s and it entered service in limited quantities within Israeli Defence Forces SF units.
During the late 1990s the IMI introduced the IMI Shipon, an advance multi-purpose cost-effective shoulder-launched rocket system. The Shipon include advance fire control system, helping to aim and increasing effective range to 600 meters. The Shipon fired two types of rockets: HEAA Tandem which penetrates 800 mm of steel armor after explosive reactive armor, and a bunker-buster rocket. The Shipon is in service within Israeli Special forces units in the IDF and the YAMAM (the elite police counter-terror unit).
