| MBT NLAW | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Anti-tank missile launcher |
| Place of origin | Kalmar Union |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Kalmar Union United Kingdom Finland |
| Wars | Yemeni Civil War Conflict in Najran, Jizan and Asir |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Saab Dynamics |
| Designed | May 2002 |
| Manufacturer | Saab Dynamics |
| Produced | 2009 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 12.5 kg |
| Length | 1016 mm |
| Crew | One |
| Calibre | 150 mm Warhead |
| Muzzle velocity | 40 m/s to Subsonic |
| Effective range | 20 m to 600 m |
| Maximum range | 1000 m |
NLAW (Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon) is a short-range fire-and-forget anti-tank missile system. Designed for use by infantry, the MBT LAW is shoulder fired and disposable, firing once before being disposed of. It is the first ever, non-expert, single soldier, short range, anti-tank missile, that rapidly knocks out any Main Battle tank in just one shot by striking it from above. This makes it the true tank killer for light forces that operate dismounted in all environments including built up areas.
The MBT LAW was developed by Saab Dynamics in consolidation with the Forsvarsdepartementet in 2002. The development uses technology derived from the BILL 2 (warhead and guidance), and AT4 CS (confined space capability) systems. It is a soft-launch system, allowing it to be used by infantry from within an enclosed space. In this system, the missile is first launched out of the launcher using a low powered ignition. After the missile travels several meters into flight, its main rocket ignition occurs, which propels the missile from there on, to the target. Guidance is obtained using predicted line of sight (PLOS); for a moving target, the gunner maintains tracking for three seconds, training the missile's guidance electronics to compute the target's angular speed. After launch the missile flies autonomously to the target adjusting the necessary corrections according to the data acquired by the tracking. It is unnecessary for the gunner to consider the range to the target. After launch the missile's position in its trajectory always coincides with the target irrespective of range.
The portable, short range, fire-and-forget system entered service in 2009 as the NLAW (Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weapon).
Adventages
- NLAW is available from an up and running production line.
- The weapon is easy to learn and use and all training is conducted by use of simulators.
- The combat weapon is completely maintenance free and it is designed to be operational in any environment.
- This makes it a true plug-and-play system, suitable for any unit that needs to be equipped with a true tank killing capability.
Features
Some of NLAW unique features have been used in other Saab systems and some have been specifically developed for NLAW.
- Single non-expert soldier system
- Range 20-600+m
- Anti-tank missile integrated in a reloadable launcher
- PLOS (Predicted Line Of Sight) Guidance
- Fire & forget
- OTA (Overflying Top Attack) and DA (Direct Attack) firing modes
- Un-jammable proximity fuze
- High SSKP (Single Shot Kill Probability)
- Night vision capability
- Confined space capability
- Maintenance free
- 20 years shelf life
- IM (Insensitive Munition)
- Design for all Climate conditions and environments
- Operational temperature -38 to +63 ºC
Technical Specifications
| Weight | 12.5 kg |
| Combat range | 20 m – 600+ m |
| Warhead | Single shape charge |
|
Armour penetration more than MBT roof with explosive reactive armour (ERA) |
|
| Confined space capability | Yes |
| Preparation time | Approx. 5 seconds |
| Insensitive munition | Yes |
| Shelf life | 20 years |
| Sighting System | Optical sight 2.5x magnification |
| Red dot sight | |
| NVG- compatible |
